Is Masturbation Wrong?
By Robert Henry

Shhhh...
Tackling the subject of sex in the church is, it goes without saying, taboo. Very few preachers and teachers of the Word are anxious to give a lesson on this most controversial issue and there is clearly a reason for this. For one, our culture accepts many principles that run counter to the Biblical precepts that define and prescribe a healthy sexual life so that any attempt to offer a scriptural based analysis of the subject promises to be an up hill battle. And clearly there is the aspect of shame and embarrassment associated with the very language necessary to describe in detail some of the do's and don't’s we Christians must know. The process of bringing to light those physical areas of our body that are, for good reason, covered most of the time just for the sake of a sermon is generally seen as not being worth the effort to express. It is just easier to give the congregation some broad guidelines that can be appropriated behind closed doors.

"How should I say this"
But, although the method of generalizing specific topics for the sake of propriety is more comfortable, it is far less effective than attacking it head on. Let's face it, no one wants to hear the words 'penis' or 'vagina' in the body of a sermon that is supposed to be performed in a 'Godly' manner. And although that is bad enough, probably the most 'touchy' area of discussion, especially for men, is that of masturbation. It is bad enough to employ terminology that, for some, borders on the pornographic, but to even entertain the notion that it is best to address such topics is frequently labeled a superfluous activity by the average Christian. And, understandably there is very little room for discretion. This is why I would like to be as respectful, serious and 'anti-gross' as possible in dealing with this issue of masturbation. So, I will merely explore the question, "is it right or is it wrong to masturbate?"

God's Take
Unfortunately, how the Bible deals with the subject is vague, general and more importantly indirect. This is not to say that there is no answer to the question, only that we must look very closely at what we do know about what the scriptures say concerning sex. Applying this general view on sex to specific areas of interest, such as masturbation, I feel confident that we can have a better understanding of what God's will is for enjoying, succumbing to and often suppressing our own sexual appetites.

What Jesus Said..
A great source to start with is our Lord Jesus. We are all familiar with that brief section in Matthew often referred to as the Beatitudes. In this series of simple, clearly stated commands and principles spoken by Jesus to help us understand our Father's will, Christ tells us that there is no difference, in the eyes of God, between looking lustfully on a woman and physically engaging in sexual intercourse with her. In this statement, He establishes the rule that the heart is the cause of sin, not the act. Of course, the adverse is not true. The act is just as bad, but it is the heart, which initiates the act to occur in the first place. It is the motivation and the willful disregard for monogamy that is the sin of adultery, not just the act itself. With this in mind, merely entertaining the thought of having sex with another person is the sin itself, to where, the physical act (whether it be intercourse with the object of desire or masturbation) is an expression of this sin. The act is just as wrong, but it is the inner resolve to surrender to temptation that ultimately is responsible for the physical act that we see, which is the fruit of seduction.

What about in Marriage?
Nevertheless, this says nothing to the question of masturbation as an act in itself. Although it is without doubt a sin when it is preceded by a lustful thought for a person one is not married to, what of masturbating as a result of fantasies of one’s spouse? Can this ever be considered appropriate or godly behavior? Some say it can be, while others claim it is always a sin to masturbate. The real point of division between those who approve of it under certain conditions and those who do not is over the purpose and proper context of engaging in a sexual act and the scriptural interpretation of our bodies as ‘holy temples.’ As to the former, some cite the very design and nature of sex as evidence against masturbation. Consider the fact that engaging in sex is something that is inherently a commensurate, and thus communal, bond between a man and a woman. Why even the word sex is defined as a bifurcation between two specific types. It is not a unilateral or an asexual act (or as some say, “it takes two to tango�). To make it anything else than what it is would be to go against the structure and design that God intended. But, those who support the act of masturbation in some settings argue that, given the precariousness and situational features of morals, sometimes there are allowances. For instance, David was allowed to eat the show bread in the temple even though it was ‘designed’ for the temple’s use only. As well, provisions for divorce were given even though it was ‘designed’ to be until the death of one of the couple’s members. So, for them, even though masturbation goes against the nature of sex, in view of a spouse’s inability or unwillingness to offer sex to their partner, masturbation may be seen as a provision under strict adherence to marital vows.

Our Temple
As to the latter, some feel that masturbation is simply a desecration to our bodies as holy temples of God. Indeed, there seems to be something very unholy about the act itself that runs counter to keeping one’s body set apart and pure as a holy vessel. However, proponents of masturbation feel that this is a misreading of what is meant by holy. They would go so far as to say that such a ubiquitous appeal to holiness without a clear qualification, in scripture, as to the act being an abomination in itself makes the argument unconvincing.

The Answer
To be honest, the answer to the question of masturbation is one that I must leave up to the reader. I have left you with some principles to consider. For we know that thinking about a woman lustfully is wrong and as such engaging in masturbation for the express purpose of fulfilling this sensual longing is wrong. But, as to whether it is wrong when the object of desire is one’s marriage partner, this is not so clear cut. However, I will say that there is a hint of selfishness with giving in to one’s cravings even in the setting of marriage. Maybe, masturbation is at base a selfish disease. I challenge you to search your own heart to discover the real reason why you would want to do this. And, ask your self if it is an issue of self-control, or of simply gratifying a gripping desire. After all, if it is every man’s battle, why give up so easily? I thought we were battling our own wants and desires as under the headship of Christ, not our own excuses for doing what we want to do.

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