MASTURBATION

 

The Bible does not make any reference to masturbation, even though it does deal in depth with sexual immorality, whether adultery or fornication, and other sexual perversions, i.e., homosexuality, bestiality, incest, etc.  Thus when the Scripture is silent about a subject, one needs to be very careful about being dogmatic either pro or con.

An Old Testament passage that is often used as a case against masturbation is the Genesis 38:8-10 account of Onan who withdrew from intercourse and “spilled (shachath to decay, that is ruin, batter, cast off, corrupt, spill, waste) his seed (zera’ seed, fruit, semen) on the ground (‘erets the earth, land, ground),” and the thing displeased the Lord: wherefore He slew him also.  However, this was not an example of masturbation but rather of Onan withdrawing and spilling his semen and refusing to have a child with his deceased brother’s wife.

The other passage that is referred to, is found in the Leviticus 15:16-18 account of “a man’s seed (zera’ seed, fruit, semen) of copulation (shekabah a lying down, sexual act, intercourse) upon a garment (beged  a covering, apparel, cloth, clothes, clothing, garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, vesture, wardrobe) or skin (‘or skin as naked, hide, leather) being unclean (tame’ to foul, defile, polluted, unclean), and the woman with whom man shall lie (shakab to lie down, sexual connection, make to lie down, lay self down) with seed (zera’ seed, fruit, semen) of copulation (shekabah  a lying down, sexual act, intercourse)”. This could include emission by nocturnal emission (wet dreams), masturbation, as well as emission during or after intercourse.

There are however Biblical principles that give guidance, direction and teaching concerning sexual purity that should be prayerfully considered in understanding and applying the balanced truth of this topic:

Matthew 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with here already in his heart.”

Romans 14:23 “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

I Corinthians 6:18-20 “Flee fornication.  Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

I Corinthians 7:5, 7-9 “That Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. (Lack of self-restraint, excess)  For I would that all men were even as I myself.  But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.  I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.  But if they cannot contain (self constraint, temperate), let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn (passion as a fire, inflamed).”

I Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

II Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Matthew 5:27-30 “Ye have heard that ti was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

Colossians 2:20, 21, 23 “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Touch not; taste not: handle not; Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.”

Colossians 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”

II Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.”