Is it a sin to masterbate?

[cjm1991]

Basically, I am wanting to change my life and become a better person spiritually and become christian. I realize that nowhere in the bible does it specifically mention anything about self-pleasure but it does mention stuff about sex. Im not totally sure if god designed sex to be only between a man and women but I do know that in the bible is specifically says a lot about lust. So my question is, Is Masterbation a sin itself, or is it sinful when you add to it other things of a lustful nature? EX: Porn, thinking of woman/women naked, act) basically anything that causes you to lust. Please answer seriously to this question guys, I realize this is a normally activity for any human to want to do but I know that god didnt commit sin when he came down as human, so translation=masterbation. He didn't give into the urge, so that makes me wonder since he didn't should we? I really need help with this problem because I stopped Monday, and today (Friday) the urge got so bad that I had to give in, which I did. I prayed everyday to not give in and every time I did the urge went away, but today I couldn't fight it anymore. It also says to not give into the desires of the flesh because that robs the spirit. :(

[Short Circuit]

This has been debated lots of times in ROTW side of the forum. Basically, the answer was no it is not a sin, but lust is a different matter

[ULoveTheSwag]

oh crap i dont wanna go to hell! haha

[darkie]

Well, I'm Catholic, I do that too and I know that it's a bad thing according to the Bible, but I just believe that lust means that you think of women as merely objects to please you and you don't respect their body, and I also believe premarital sex is like that too. Masturbating is normal and healthy, the only time it becomes bad if it hinders or interferes with important stuff in your life already. :)

[wildmanjesse]

Well tech no but if lusting over ur self is :/

[ULoveTheSwag]

well now i know im not gonna go to hell, i like masturbating but i dont think of women as sex objects!

[Lego]

Technically, yes it is a sin, because i remember it saying somewhere in the bible basically refering to masturbation with something along the lines of it is better to spill your seed in a whores belly than let it hit the ground. however the majority of people do it i believe anyway. I mean its gotta be better than getting someone pregnant, no? If it is a sin you gotta be pretty damn strong to resist it and 99% of men are guilty of it. So see you all in heck if its that bad. The sperm dies anyways like every 3 days i believe btw which is my justification

[ULoveTheSwag]

well i know im not gonna go to hell cuz i dont think of women as sex objects!

[figaro42]

Yes it is categorized as a sin, but during puberty it is normal to do it, just don't become a pervert and value love over sex, that's the whole point: not letting your sexuality take over your life.

And congratulations on becoming a Christian! Read the Gospels and the Epistles and keep the Ten Commandments :)

[Terminal Verbosity]

The Bible is a revolting book full of rape, murder and misogyny. Considering that it condones the rape of female captives taken during wartime, I wouldn't pay any attention to what it says about teenagers jacking off in the shower. If you want to be a better person, be one, but don't expect some 2000 year old book to help you.

[ddbumblebee]

I will TOTALLY second that last post;that was excellent mate. I think it's awful that you are thinking that a natural act like wanking would send you to hell or some rubbish like that. Live life man:)

[riotroger]

Just because its in the bible doesn't mean you have to follow every single thing in order to feel like you've gotten into heaven. The bible has plenty of stupid rules (imo) that none of us should be expected to follow:

Exodus 21:7 sanctions allowing others to sell their daughters into slavery, Exodus 35:2 says anybody who works on the sabbath should be put to death, Leviticus 18:22 says homosexuality is an abomination, etc etc.

I'm not religious at all and sorry if I offend those who are, but I don't think it's a bad thing to masturbate, sin or not. Over 90% of all men in the world masturbate, its almost impossible to avoid doing it at least a couple times. It's healthier for you if you do it, and there are studies that show it significantly reduces your chances of being getting prostate cancer.

So if anything I would strongly recommend doing it for health reasons, even if you think its a sin its unhealthy for you not to masturbate than it is to do it. Doesn't mean you have to masturbate frequently, just find a healthy amount you think is acceptable, like once/twice a week or something (any amount is better than not doing it altogether).

[riotroger]

Technically, yes it is a sin, because i remember it saying somewhere in the bible basically refering to masturbation with something along the lines of it is better to spill your seed in a whores belly than let it hit the ground. however the majority of people do it i believe anyway. I mean its gotta be better than getting someone pregnant, no? If it is a sin you gotta be pretty damn strong to resist it and 99% of men are guilty of it. So see you all in heck if its that bad. The sperm dies anyways like every 3 days i believe btw which is my justification

That's another good reason. It's better for everyone concerned not to knock someone up, or contract an STI.

[BigKid8]

it says in the bible "it is better for your seed to fall in the belly of a whore than on the floor" so i guess its a sin but i don't care... sorry Jesus.

[Clawhammer]

The Bible is indeed silent on the matter. It's between you and God, so spend time with Him and think about it, none of us can tell you how to live.

[Jefflikespie]

Just because its in the bible doesn't mean you have to follow every single thing in order to feel like you've gotten into heaven. The bible has plenty of stupid rules (imo) that none of us should be expected to follow:

Exodus 21:7 sanctions allowing others to sell their daughters into slavery, Exodus 35:2 says anybody who works on the sabbath should be put to death, Leviticus 18:22 says homosexuality is an abomination, etc etc.

I'm not religious at all and sorry if I offend those who are, but I don't think it's a bad thing to masturbate, sin or not. Over 90% of all men in the world masturbate, its almost impossible to avoid doing it at least a couple times. It's healthier for you if you do it, and there are studies that show it significantly reduces your chances of being getting prostate cancer.

So if anything I would strongly recommend doing it for health reasons, even if you think its a sin its unhealthy for you not to masturbate than it is to do it. Doesn't mean you have to masturbate frequently, just find a healthy amount you think is acceptable, like once/twice a week or something (any amount is better than not doing it altogether).

This is the most sensible answer so far. I wanted to make a similar post, but I was too lazy (which is a sin too.)

The world would be a much better place if Christians just followed Jesus teachings and not all the other hateful and crazy rules.

By the way, eating shrimp, lobster and clam chowder is also a sin. http://www.godhatesshrimp.com/

[allann]

I think it is a sin because when you masturbate you are lusting over something so just try your best not to. I am Catholic so it is a sin to me but I still do it so as long as you try not to you should be good

[American_Boy]

I have similar questions

[Cicero]

Great question. This very question was asked to one of my bible pastors at my old Christian school. What his answer was, was that it's not a sin. But what you're thinking about at the time is a sin. If your jerking off while thinking about your day or playing video games. That's not a sin. But if your looking at porn or thinking about a guy/girl in a "sinful" way, it is a sin. It's all about what you're thinking/looking at, at the time your jerking off. It's said to be a sin, because it's way easier than explaining all this and making it awkward. But it's not a sin as long as you think wholesome thoughts. But honestly, who can think "wholesome" thoughts? A sin is a sin. We all probably sin 100s of times a day, why not add one more sin and feel relaxed and stress free? Cause jerking off sends hormones throughout the body that makes everyone feel relaxed and feeling good :)

[Sean4U]

I guess i'm an agnostic so maybe I can't answer this question, but to me...we are all biological beings and masturbation is a biological act, not only with humans but most mammals ....if there is an ultimate being than he did not mean for masturbation to be pleasurable and not do it....

[EvanescenceFan]

Well i believe that masturbation in it no but most of the time it is combined with lust so i would that it is circumstantual

[blondebeast]

if it is a sin 99% of teens are going to hell...no it is not a sin.

[branman2000]

just b/c its what is popular doesn't mean its right... there is a verse in the bible that says that. I do it, but im like you, i try to stop but end up giving in... and then when you do give in, you feel guilty... yet while you are doing it, you justify it by making up excuses for your self by saying things like "its never directly stated in the bible. and im not harming anyone." but i always think about it like this... can you see jesus jerking off...? i know i cant... so im thinking its a sin, even though i wish it wasn't. but i believe that as long as you are really trying to make yourself stop, God will help you do that, and easily forgive you when you slip up. but dont ever continue doing something you know is wrong just because you know God will forgive you. i think thats wrong too... but ya... theres A LOT of guys like you... so just know your not alone in this and that people make mistakes, but try not to make them. and ya... thats about it...