The Bible does not directly mention masturbation, nor does it provide a specific commandment regarding it. However, many people seek to understand what Scripture might imply about it through principles related to purity, self-control, and sexual integrity. Here’s an exploration of how various biblical principles can inform this topic.
1. Purity of Heart and Mind
The Bible places a strong emphasis on maintaining purity in thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Jesus taught that sin is not only in actions but also in the intentions of the heart.
- Matthew 5:27-28 – Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
- Meaning: This teaching suggests that sexual purity involves the heart and mind, not just physical acts. Many times, masturbation can be associated with lustful thoughts, which the Bible teaches are sinful.
2. Self-Control
The Bible encourages self-control, especially in managing physical and emotional desires. The apostle Paul teaches about the importance of living in a way that honors God through self-discipline.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
- Meaning: Self-control is a central aspect of Christian life, especially in regard to sexuality. While this passage does not explicitly address masturbation, it encourages believers to exercise self-control and avoid indulgence in any behavior driven by lust.
- Galatians 5:22-23 – Paul lists self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, saying, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
- Meaning: The virtue of self-control includes managing one’s desires and impulses. Christians are encouraged to cultivate self-control, relying on the Holy Spirit to help guide their actions and maintain purity.
3. Avoiding Sexual Immorality (Porneia)
The New Testament often warns against “sexual immorality,” which is translated from the Greek word porneia and encompasses all forms of sexual behavior that fall outside of God’s design for sexuality within marriage.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 bodies.”
- Meaning: This passage underscores the idea that believers are to treat their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, honoring God in all aspects of life, including sexuality. While masturbation is not directly mentioned, the call to avoid sexual immorality implies that believers should not engage in activities that compromise their purity or self-control.
4. The “Sin of Onan” and Misinterpretation
The story of Onan is sometimes mistakenly used as a direct condemnation of masturbation, though the context of the story is different. Onan’s actions are not about self-gratification but about refusing to fulfill his family duty.
- Genesis 38:8-10 – Onan is instructed to produce offspring for his deceased brother by sleeping with his brother’s widow, but he “spilled his seed” to avoid giving her a child. This displeased God, and He punished Onan.
- Meaning: Onan’s sin is not about masturbation but about disobedience to family duty. The passage does not address masturbation itself, and applying it to masturbation would be out of context.
5. Honoring God with Our Bodies
The Bible teaches that believers should seek to glorify God with their bodies, avoiding any behavior that brings dishonor or impurity.
- Romans 12:1 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
- Meaning: Offering one’s body as a “living sacrifice” implies dedicating every part of ourselves to God, including our physical desires. This call encourages believers to evaluate their actions to ensure they align with honoring God.
- Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
- Meaning: This verse reminds believers to focus their minds on things that are pure and worthy of praise, which can be helpful in resisting temptations that compromise purity.
Summary
While the Bible does not specifically mention or directly condemn masturbation, it emphasizes principles of purity, self-control, honoring God with our bodies, and avoiding lustful thoughts. Many Christians interpret these principles to mean that masturbation, especially when it involves lust, is not aligned with God’s call for purity and self-control. Others believe it may not be inherently sinful but caution that it can become problematic if it leads to addiction, hinders self-control, or replaces healthy sexual relationships within marriage.
The overall biblical guidance encourages believers to live lives of holiness, aligning their actions with God’s will. For personal conviction and guidance on this issue, many Christians turn to prayer, seeking God’s wisdom to determine how to best honor Him with their bodies and desires.