Masturbation

The Bible does not address the subject of masturbation directly. It does condemn the immoral thoughts and desires that one usually associates with masturbation. Following are thoughts from responses to similar questions.

“The WELS Catechism refers you to the following passages from God’s Word. I Thessalonians 4:3-5; Ephesians 5:3-5; Ephesians 5:12; and Matthew 5:27-29. As you read these passages you come across such phrases as ‘God’s Will,’ ‘avoid sexual immorality,’ ‘control his own body,’ ‘not in passionate lust,’ ‘No immoral . . . person . . . has any place in the kingdom of God,’ ‘There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality…obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking.’ ‘It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret,’ and ‘You have heard that is was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’ It is obvious that God forbids all impure words and lustful thoughts.” On the contrary, Scripture says, “Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

”Masturbation is self-stimulation to some form of arousal and climax. God gave sex as a gift and a blessing to human beings for marriage with a life-long partner of the opposite sex. Self-stimulation is a corruption of God’s gift and blessing of sex.

“God’s Word also says that we should do all things to the glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31). ‘Solo Sex’ (auto eroticism) by definition seems to run in conflict with God’s design at creation in making humans male and female (Genesis 2:20-25). One also wonders how one honors God with her or his body through masturbation (I Corinthians 6:12-20).”

The Bible’s instruction is to live “holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:11).