What does the Bible say about Masturbation? - Feature Image
Posted On 10/24/2013

What does the Bible say about Masturbation?


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This a question that gets asked a lot. So let’s talk about it!

What does the Bible say about masturbation?

The Bible doesn’t say anything about the act of masturbation. Which, when you stop to consider, is rather significant. It mentions in explicit detail every other sexual act known to man.  Masturbation just does not show up.
However, I believe Jesus is making an indirect reference to it in Matthew 5:27-30.  Let’s break down this passage:

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.

At the time Jesus said this, his audience was well aware that adultery was a sin. In fact, they were proud of the fact they were not adulterers. Jesus takes it a step further saying to ‘lust’ after someone means that adultery has already taken place in your heart. So, lust is bad. Let’s ask the obvious question. Can you masturbate without lusting?
95%  of masturbation is linked to pornography. In fact, I would say the majority of masturbation is a result of some form of pornography. If you were to cut out ALL forms of pornography in your life, the desire to masturbate will go down significantly. You might be asking the question, can I look at porn without lusting? I am going to go out on a limb and say … um…. hmmm… NO!

Jesus continues in Matthew 5:29-30:

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

If I can be explicit (and honestly what did you expect when you clicked on this?)
Jesus picked two interesting appendages of the human body to associate with lust. Do you see where I am going with this? What does masturbating involve? Well, obviously, it takes a hand but that is not all. Masturbation requires images or at least pictures in your mind. How do you get those images in there? The eyes. Jesus seems to be making an indirect (or maybe very direct) reference to the act of masturbation.
The bottom line: Masturbation isn’t in the Bible. Lust, in all of its forms, leads to bad stuff. Lusting and masturbation seem to go hand in hand. If you are married, it will eventually replace your physical relationship with your spouse.

How do I stop?

1. Cut out porn Not just the really bad stuff. Anything that arouses sexual desire. Movies, websites and  TV can all excite your sexual appetite. Once that fire has been lit, masturbation is inevitable.
2. Set a guardrail  Guardrails on the road exist to stop you before you get to the real danger. Lust is the real danger. Put a guardrail that stops you before you get there. Excellent free accountability soft ware is available at www.xxxchurch.com. Get rid of HBO. Take drastic measures.
3. Get accountability  If you are married, your spouse is probably not the right accountability. Find someone you trust, a friend or a pastor,  and confess it.
4. God is on your side  Lust and masturbation can make you feel guilty all the time, but God wants to help. His forgiveness and grace are the only thing that will help you stop.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”  1 Peter 5:7

Find out now! Watch a quick 5 part video series.

About The Author

Grant Agler

Teaching Pastor/Communications Champion Central

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Grant is our resident farmboy. He grew up in the cornfields of northwest Nebraska. He spent his early days living far from God. As Grant says, "I gave God the middle finger and didn't really care about faith at all." As a young man, he became convinced that God was real. He gave his life to Jesus and experienced God's amazing grace that previously made no sense to him. After experiencing that grace, Grant felt God calling him to teach the message of the gospel. Over the past 20 years, he has been preaching and teaching. Grant, his wife, Bethany, and their four children moved to Michigan in 2011, and he joined the 2|42 team in 2019. Grant is always good for a laugh, but more importantly, he explains biblical concepts in ways anyone can understand.
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