Is Masturbation A Sin In The Bible? (Secrets Revealed)

Is Masturbation A Sin In The Bible?

All over the internet the questions have been asked. Is touching yourself a sin? Is jerking off a sin? We're going to look at this from a biblical perspective. Here's the overview.

1. The "lust of the flesh" (1 John 2:16) is sin.
2. Typically, emphasis on biblical and holy sexuality will call out masturbation as being a sin.
3.  The Bible nowhere explicitly addresses masturbation as sin.
4. Masturbation may not be specifically called sinful but since it is often the offshoot of declared sins in Scripture, it would be sinful, at least in those cases.

More Information About Masturbation from Across The Web

1. Masturbation isn't a "sin" but it is a sin when there's lustful thoughts or actions. 
2. Christians have traditionally called masturbation a sin.
3. Masturbation or it's descriptive action are not clearly shown in the Bible. 
4. Some people say that they use masturbation to find sexual release when they cannot control their desire or satisfy their desires through marriage. It for sure would be sinful if a person masturbates accompanied by declared sins in the New Testament like pride, covetousness and sexual immorality which would include porn use and lustful thoughts.

Does the Bible Say Masturbation is Sin?

The Bible nowhere shares explicitly that masturbation, or the act of masturbating is a sin. Even the sin of Onanism is the sin of deception and not leaving an heir for his deceased brother according to the law, for which God was upset with him.

Onan's sin in Genesis 38:9-10

Genesis 38:9-10

• 9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother.10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also.

The Bible says that he spilled his seed; it did not say that he masturbated or touched himself to spill his seed, it just says that he spilled his seed. So biblical scholars with faithfulness to the text can't read anything into the text that it does not say. However, masturbation if used (as it often is) with clearly outlined or alluded to sins in the bible, would be sinful. 

Here are sins outlined by the Apostle Paul: 

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Does the Bible Say Masturbation is Sin?

Here's a list of all manner of unrighteousness in Romans 1:29:31

Romans 1:28-31

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, 3sexual immorality, wickedness, 4covetousness, 5maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 6undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, 7unforgiving, unmerciful;

Again, no hint of masturbation or the act of masturbating, but it shows many sins that may accompany or be the progenitors of an act of masturbation and these would be sinful. Pride, sexually immorality, strife, and covetousness from this list seem fitting.

What Does God and the Bible Say About Masturbation? 

Masturbation is Sin When Driven By Fleshly Lusts that are Prohibited In The Scriptures

1. Masturbating by watching and lusting to pornography would be sin. 
2. Masturbating about your friend's wife would be sin.
3. Masturbation accompanied by any declared sin in The New Testament, would be sin.

Masturbation doesn't happen in isolation apart from thoughts. So, it must be looked at holistically and judged by righteous judgment by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I leave with you this scripture: 

James 1:12-21

• 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
• 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
• 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
• 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
• 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
• 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
• 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
• 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
• 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
• 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

We pray that this has been a blessing to you in your walk with the Lord. May you ever be with Lord, in Jesus' Name.