There is little reference to masturbation in the bible; in fact, there is no mention of it in the bible. It is a very obscure bible topic. Since there is no reference to it right from the Genesis, the beginning of the world, up to the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, can we say then that masturbation is a sin or not? There have been huge debates over the topic. Scholars, some highly respected pastors and Christian brethren alike are torn between whether masturbation is a sin or not. What do you think?

Since there is no direct quotation of masturbation in the bible, we have to use other bible verses to support the argument. Masturbation is more popular among adolescence. The frequency of masturbation varies from one age group to the other. Among the adolescents, it is 3-4 times weekly, 1-2 times weekly for adults and once a month for married people. Medically, it is considered normal for an adolescent to masturbate daily. Parents have learned ways to educate their adolescent child about sex and other safe practices but there hasn’t been an effective way to talk about masturbation to the children.

Is masturbation really a sin? In Phi 4:8, [Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things]. Here Paul clearly acknowledges that one’s thought determine one’s life. It is your thought that eventually becomes your speech and actions. Therefore, adequate step must be taken to guard one’s thought. Is masturbation lovely or is it of good report? Nope, therefore conscious effort must be taken so as not to think of masturbation. Are we not human beings? Don’t we have testosterone and estrogen? God has created sex so that we can enjoy it but not with ourselves. God ordained sex between a married man and a married woman so that they can enjoy themselves, anything outside of that is sin (fornication, adultery, uncleanliness, homosexuality). Enjoying oneself or relieving stress through masturbation is very wrong. Its not pure therefore we shouldn’t occupy ourselves with it.

When you are masturbating, you have a desire and an urge to have sex. You pictured yourself having oneself with someone you might desire. In Matthew 5:28 [But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart] Jesus likened lust (desire to have sex with a woman) to committing adultery. Masturbation is similar to lust; with masturbation one is engraved in one’s desire to have sex in one’s hand. According to that statement, mere looking at a woman with a sexual look just to have her in your bed is a sin because even though you have not committed the adultery physically, you have done it in your heart. The bible urged us in 2Timothy 2:22 to flee from all youthful lusts.

As Christians, We all have conscience that will convict, scold you and tell you immediately you fall into a sin or any wrongdoings. After your first masturbation experience, immediately that conscience will tell you that this is a sin unless you have a dead conscience. Conscience can be made silent, dead over time when you are repeating the same sin over and over again. If one’s conscience is saying it is a sin, is it then not a sin?

How do we tackle masturbation? Remember, we are only human beings and we are not perfect. We fall down but rise up. In 1Corinthians 1:10, even though, the temptation is very great, God will not allow us to be tempted more than above what we are able to take but He will create a way of escape. Yes, you can break the temptation of masturbation. How? Avoid things that you know can arouse your interest. For instance, avoiding chatting with random ladies that can increase your chance of masturbating. It’s different for everything but you got to identify it first before a solution can be proffered. If you think you can do it on your own, it’s all lie. Acknowledge yourself as a sinner, confess your sins to God, tell Him your weakness and He will help you. He knows you, He knows your weaknesses. Of course, it’s very difficult, in the beginning, you might still fall into masturbation again but guess what, don’t be discouraged. Rise up again, confess and try not to return it again.

God bless you as you read !

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