Is Masturbation A Sin In The Bible?

Is masturbation a sin in the Bible?

Introduction

For decades, the discussion of masturbation has been viewed as taboo, especially in the Christian community.

Questions on whether or not masturbation is considered a sin in the biblical text has been a hot topic for both religious and non-religious people.

There are two opposing viewpoints when it comes to the question, “Is Masturbation a Sin in the Bible?”. On one end, we have those who view the act as harmless, while others view it as sinful or immoral.

Some argue certain passages could indicate that Jesus was referring to masturbation being a sin, which we will touch on (no pun intended) later in the article.

Masturbation is a pleasurable activity that most people have tried at least once.

So, why is it such a big deal in the Bible?

Let’s find out.

Understanding the Concept of Sin

In the bible, sin is a largely talked about topic.

Sin is defined as any act that goes against the will of God, or that breaks the law of God.

It plays a big role in the bible and is a constant theme in both the New Testament and the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, sin is seen as breaking the law of Moses.

In the New Testament, sin is viewed as going against the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches us that sinning leads to serious consequences and is what separates humans from God.

Some may view these ideals as antiquated or that the idea of sin making us bad humans is not entirely accurate.

Obviously, this depends on the religious views of the individual, but Christians truly believe that sinning will not give you the keys to God’s kingdom when it’s your time.

Types of Sin

According to the Bible, sin is broken down into two categories: sins of commission and sins of omission.

Sins of commission are actions such as lying, stealing, adultery, and murder, which are obviously against God’s will.

Sins of omission, on the other hand, are actions that we fail to do that God requires of us, such as helping others in need.

This can be anything from feeding the homeless to giving tithes at church.

Consequences of Sin

Sin is viewed as the imperfect acts that humans commit, whether intentional or not.

The Bible teaches us that sinning has serious consequences, but since we are human, it’s impossible for us not to sin.

The story of Jesus is spoken about in large Christian communities due to Him dying on the cross for the sins of everyone around the world.

In the New Testament, sin is what keeps us separated from God.

If we do not repent for the sins, we have committed, then we have no chance of going to heaven when we pass from our physical body to our spiritual.

The Bible also teaches us that sin has consequences while in our physical body, such as shame, guilt, and broken relationships.  

Masturbation in the Bible

Although the Bible never directly mentions masturbation nor uses the word anywhere in scripture, scholars believe and argue that there are references to it.

One of the more common references is the story of Onan in the Book of Genesis 38:8-10:

“Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.”

As we read in the scripture, Onan was instructed to impregnate his brother’s wife.

He started the act, but withdrew himself before ejaculating, causing his semen to spill on the ground.

Because Onan didn’t obey the orders given by God, he was punished for this act.

Scholars argue that he was punished because of the act of masturbation.

The closest the Bible gets to the idea of masturbation is when it speaks about lust or sexual immorality.

As seen in this scripture from 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 KJV below:

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.”

As we can see, scripture covers sexual immorality but never explicitly states the word masturbation or the act of it that we know today.

Masturbation is defined as the act of self-pleasuring until an orgasm is reached.

Even though scholars argue that the story of Onan was about masturbation, how could this be when the act was placed upon him rather than him seeking to do it himself for only self-pleasure?

We could argue that he didn’t go through with impregnating his brother’s wife because he didn’t feel comfortable with it, rather than because he wanted to use the time for self-pleasure only.

Is Masturbation really a sin in the Bible?

Earlier in the article, we broke down the scriptures that scholars use to argue that masturbation is a sin in the bible. Does this mean that their argument is true? Well, it depends on who you ask.

Masturbation is viewed as bad or taboo due to many reasons, such as the psychological effects it can have, some view it as a sin, or the idea of it flat out makes people uncomfortable.

This doesn’t mean that masturbation is bad; it really depends on how the activity is done.

Some use masturbation as a form of self-control; they can abstain from sexual relations with others if they do this personal act from time to time. Some use it as a way to be more in tune with their bodies.

One fact is true, though, the Bible never explicitly states that masturbation is a sin.

There is not a scripture that uses the words or has any direct statement that self-pleasuring is bad.

This doesn’t mean that the scholars who argue against it are wrong; there are simply many ways to interpret the Bible.

READ THIS NEXT:

What Does The Bible Say About Cremation?

How Angels Really Look Like, According to the Bible

Why Can’t I Remember My Dreams Anymore Spiritual Meaning