A while back, my friend and I were discussing what it meant to be a Christian. He excitedly told me that he now had a working definition: a Christian is a person who is actively striving to strengthen his or her relationship with God. Next, he proudly shared with me his latest achievement: he had not masturbated in months. (uhhh... what?
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Naturally, I was amazed. Behavior like that... well, it certainly isn't common.
He went on to explain the logic behind his decision.
According to the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, God states, "You shall not commit adultery." The typical Protestant view interprets adultery to include lustful thoughts. Therefore, if you're not married and you're thinking about having sex with someone, you've committed adultery.
Okay, let's be practical. Who masturbates without thinking about another person? Whether it's a significant other or an anonymous Internet porn star doesn't matter... the fact is that the person isn't your spouse. But I'm not trying to condemn anyone who masturbates because they've committed adultery. It's totally normal. The awesome thing is that this is just another example of how humans are sinful in nature, and gives us another reason to ask God to make us holy.
To answer the question, I think my friend is right, but of course everyone interprets the Bible differently. What do you think?
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Comments (214)
Yes, I think it's lust. It's altering a process God intended for both reproduction and pleasure to provide pleasure without the designed trappings of commitment, love, and children, heh. But I also think guys are driven over the edge where they need to free their sexual tensions. It's either with a person or not, and since masturbation would be a lesser evil than casual sex with another partner, I think it staves off that "burning desire" in a way that doesn't necessarily lead others to stumble as well.
It's a sin to LUST, not masturbate. Masturbation isn't even MENTIONED in the Bible. For crying out loud. I'll be completely honest. I masturbate now and then, and I PRAY when I do it. If things start popping into my head, I stop and keep praying until they pass. Believe me, you can masturbate without lusting.
@IAmPositiveILostAnElectron@xanga - It's a sin to LUST, not masturbate.
How do you masterbate without lusting? Sorry but I don't believe you. I think you're kidding yourself.
@LoBornlite@xanga - Easy. You have control over your thoughts. I choose to put my thoughts towards God. Like I said in my comment, man. I pray. That's what fills my head so that lust doesn't. What's so impossible?
@IAmPositiveILostAnElectron@xanga - Easy. You have control over your thoughts. I choose to put my thoughts towards God. Like I said in my comment, man. I pray.
Yep! Wacking off to thoughts of God. You must be one of those true believers.
My bible professor once said that he believes in some circumstances, it can be a gift from God.
reason 1) A kid masturbates to discover who he is and how things work (understandable)
reason 2) Masturbating before going out with a girl will keep you from being tempted to have sex outside of marriage with her (this, I think is a little silly)
I believe it is a sin, pure and simple, however, my bible professor's bible professor (and mentor) said that it technically can't be classified as pornea... So you just have to look at the lust aspect of it...
@IAmPositiveILostAnElectron@xanga - so why masturbate?
Secondly, I wonder if lust is the only problem with masturbation. If sex is relational, and was designed to be the consummation of a relationship between two people - isn't masturbation a selfish act? Isn't it the physical pleasure, without the relationship?
Masturbation is normal just like having thoughts about the opposite sex. It goes hand in hand (no pun intended). Masturbation is one way of controlling sexual urges (if you have them). Not to mention, masturbation lowers the risk of prostate cancer in men.
Since everyone has a different interpretation of the Bible, there really is no one true way of finding a right answer. I believe that masturbation is normal and someone shouldn't be judged just because they masturbate. Those who don't shouldn't be judged either. So, I don't believe that masturbation is adultery.
http://relit.org/porn_again_christian/
Um, "do you really wanna be the guy with a computer mouse in one hand
scratching his itchy junk with his other hand standing before Jesus and
scrambling to explain himself?" Mark Driscoll
We gotta strive to be pure like God is pure.
@laytexduckie@xanga - agreed. Masterbation (among men and women) is not something to be looked down or scorned or judged b/c it's a natural thing. Babies masterbate b/c it feels good. Kids masterbate b/c it feels good. Teens masterbate b/c it feels good AND b/c it's a way to control sexual tension that arises as a result of that thing called growing up. Adults masterbate b/c it feels good AND b/c it's a way to control sexual tension AND b/c -- well -- for me?? I lead a highly stressful life. It's a great way to relieve tension--and not just sexual tension...but the stress that my life brings...it's a release, pure and simple.
So yeah...I have no probs w/masterbation...
:e)
so all those men who are donating to sperm banks to help infertile couples are sinning? =[
This is stupid.
Seriously? Everyone gets thoughts of sex with another person. How is that sinful? You can't control what you think.
Also, in other similar religions masterstroke is considered a sin, so I'm sure it is in Christianity as well. But then again I'm not a Christian, nor do I have to physically masturbate.
Let's just say Buddhism rocks in that department. =]
@black_lie@xanga - Yes, that is the logic of the Bible for you.
I don;t think about sex with anyone when I masturbate. I just feel the urge and do it.
masturbate for the win!
lol you dont ALWAYS have to be thinking of someone.
and 95% of people do it the other 5% lie about it
HAHAHA!
Of course masturbation has to do with lust, but I don't think that it's sinful to do so. Masturbation is often used as a way to get rid of sexual feelings.
I am not a big fan of Dr. James Dobson (head of the conservative Focus on the Family), but even he doesn't think its something worth worrying about.
http://www.uexpress.com/focusonthefamily/index.html?uc_full_date=20020224
@IAmPositiveILostAnElectron@xanga - Masturbation is only possible with erection, and erection is possible only with sexual arousement. What exactly do you think when you think about God?
@lovechartreuse@xanga - "Seriously? Everyone gets thoughts of sex with another person."
I don't see the logical connection between
P1: Everyone does it
Conc: Masturbation is not sinful.
How is that logical?
@GoodbyeSickan@xanga - he did have good points...but was he saying it's futile to try and never masturbate? or just don't classify it as sin b/c it's futile to not masturbate (or even worse, have sex)?
...so if you're never going to masturbate or have sex...and you've already discovered how horny you get b/c of certain things (whether porn or what-not)...what's the solution?
are we talking...just keep your mind off sexy things till you're ready to have sex only w/in marriage? that prevention is the only cure?
none of this sounds like the real world to me...
If a person uses their imagination and creates a person in their thoughts of being married to them, it is not a sin. God could have easily stated that it's a sin if he thinks it is. Lusting after another person who is married or lusting to have sex with someone before marriage, is a sin.
masturbating without thinking lustful thoughts is like trying to drive a car without looking at the road.
did i seriously just read that someone thinks about God while rubbing one out?
@woodrowwilson@xanga - I definitely think about God when I spend time with my boyfriend. I thank God for allowing to get a glimpse of God's love through another human. So, yes, some of us can and do think about God while kissing or cuddling or...spending some time with ourselves. That kind of pleasure is a pretty awesome gift, and God put it there.
the vibrator is my new BFF j/k! lol I haven't sinned because I'm not religious. YAY?! lol
Masturbation is not a sin...it's the cause of the sin.
You have to lust, or think of some girl/guy in order to masturbate.
Of course, even some Christians have trouble with it. Because so many come from a world that is full of sex and violence...you got playboy, cable, and even adult DVDs. Once you are hooked into the pornography, it's harder than hell not to masturbate.
The only solution is a complete abstinence and to have the mind of Christ. But we are human, and we do have a tendency to sin. So long as you don't consistently feed your thoughts with sex, then you'll be ok.