Is Masturbation a Sin According to the Bible? | Is it wrong to Masturbate?

Question, Masturbation, is it a sin according to the Bible? In this video, I'll answer that question from a Biblical perspective. Afterwards, I'll point you to some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.

Onan and the Biblical Passages Commonly Cited Against Masturbation

The Bible does not mention masturbation or state whether or not masturbation is a sin. The passage most frequently associated with masturbation is the story of Onan in Genesis 38, 9, and 10. Some interpret this passage to say that spilling your seed is a sin.

However, that is not what the passage is saying. God condemned Onan not for spilling his seed, but because Onan was rebellious. Onan refused to fulfill his duty to provide an heir for his deceased brother.

The passage is not about masturbation, but about fulfilling family obligation. A second passage sometimes used as evidence that masturbation is a sin is Matthew 5, 27 -30. Jesus speaks against having lustful thoughts, and then says if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.

While there is clearly a connection between lustful thoughts and masturbation, it is unlikely that Jesus was alluding to the specific sin of masturbation in this passage. The Bible nowhere explicitly states that masturbation is a sin, but there is no question that the actions that usually lead to masturbation are sinful.

Lust, Pornography, and the Heart Behind the Act

Masturbation is nearly always the result of lustful thoughts, inappropriate sexual stimulation, and or pornography. It is these problems that need to be dealt with. If the sins of lust, immoral thoughts, and pornography are forsaken and overcome, masturbation will become much less of an issue and temptation.

Many people struggle with guilt concerning masturbation when, in reality, they would be far better off repenting of the sins that lead them to masturbate. With that said, is masturbation itself a sin?

While the Bible does not directly answer this question, there definitely are some biblical principles that can be applied to the issue. First, so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10 .31. If we cannot give God glory for something, we should not do it. Second, everything that does not come from faith is sin. Romans 14 .23. If we are not fully convinced that an activity is honoring to God, it is a sin.

Third, do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6 .19 -20. Our bodies have been redeemed and belong to God. These great truths should have a powerful impact on what we do with our bodies. In light of these principles, many conclude that masturbation is always sinful.

Masturbation is a question of activity at best—whether it can glorify God, whether it can be done in absolute confidence that it is right, and whether it can honor God as the owner of our bodies. If done with absolutely no lust, immoral thoughts, or pornography, with full assurance that it is good and right, with thanksgiving to God for the pleasure it brings, is it still a sin to masturbate?

The most we can say is, maybe not. However, we have serious doubts whether this scenario truly ever exists. Hungry for more? Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content.

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