What does the Bible say about masturbation?

ok…

the reason (well, one of them) why were on here on this earth to begin with is to be tested. this life is a big test. we are tempted and tested here. the trials and tribulations are everywhere. we must overcome them and show God that we are worthy to return to live with Him.

when it comes to masturbation, the bible talks about how it’s a sin to be carnally minded or to have the mind of the flesh. it’s talking about sexual sins. masturbating is a carnal sin. we are to overcome that temptation and show respect for our bodies which are temples. “ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are,” 1 Cor 3:16-17. Please do not defile yourself.

Catholics use the passage about Onan spilling his seed to condemn the practice, but they totally miss the point of the story. It wasn’t the spilled seed that angered god, it was Onan’s refusal to live up to his obligation to impregnate his dead brother’s wife that irritated YHWH.

…wierd culture, but that’s what they value.

jaceb- it DOES matter what God thinks if your a christian… did you ever think of that?

or do you have your head too far up your backside?

Stop dissing God. One day you’re going to realise he’s real… And honestly I hope it’s before your pushing up daisies.

According to the bible:

1. God made man in his own image

2. God gave humans the ability to masturbate along with the great feeling it brings.

Go figure…

:)

My personal feeling is that if god didn’t want us to mast*rbate, we would be born with shorter arms. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any specific passages supporting the POV that it is a sin.

There is NO commandment in the Bible regarding masturbation in spite of what some ‘christians’ may have you believe.

In the absence of a clear command from God, surely christians must be careful of creating condemnation where God never intended it?

The Bible talks about sexual purity. It leaves the actual definition of sexual purity a bit vague. Some things are officially OUT - you know the ones! Some things are definitely in - husbands and wives having sex. Masturbation can be interpreted as sexually impure (see above), but it doesn’t actually say that in the Bible. My personal understanding is that it isn’t sinful, although things like pornography are.

You have to remember that a lot of cultural interpretations have been put on the ‘sexual purity’ thing. (Like Victorian women never showing their ankles but having completely exposed shoulders and cleavages.) It’s a bit too easy to put the culture of our own times, or, more likely, of 50 years ago, into our interpretation.

does it really matter what “god” wants you to do anyways?
you live once, do what you want.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31

that’s what I wanted to know toadaly. thanks. jaceb, don’t let those labels trip you up. “GOD” = a power greater than myself. intuition. the universal subconcious mind.

I wouldn’t have sex with my husband in front of jesus. But I didn’t post this to argue, I just wanted some “plain terms”. something along the lines of “I will smite thee if thy hand travels downward!” So I think as far as the most helpful answer… props goes to toadaly. Thanks.