Is masturbation a Sin? What Does the Bible Say About Masturbation

During biblical periods, Christians were always confused about the concept of masturbation. There was nothing specific in the bible about masturbation. The reality is that many people indulge in masturbation and end up feeling guilty and ashamed of themselves.

Masturbation is a complex topic that doesn’t have a clear answer.

When it comes to biology, masturbation isn’t really different from the things we do with our bodies. Sometimes kids quickly learn that some parts of their body feel pleasurable when touched. As they grow older, they are taught that touching some places isn’t appropriate in public. So, is masturbation a sin? Continue reading this article to gain answers to your questions and doubts.

What Does the Bible Say About Masturbation?

Masturbation is the experience of sexual pleasure produced by self-stimulation. Pleasure is not a problem until it goes beyond limits and against God’s will. There is nothing wrong with self-satisfaction if it is done in a healthy amount. When does it exceed the limit?

The Bible has never specifically mentioned self-pleasuring. It does contain a lot of verses about how believers need to live a pristine and virtuous life, to strive to be like the Savior and do what He would do. Here are just a few:

Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

What it means: Actions should not be carried out based on selfishness and pride. People should live in humility and give value to other’s needs as well.

Matthew 26:41 (NIV): “Watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

What it means: This phrase encourages humans to find the difference between right and wrong and not give in to temptations. Despite wanting to do what is right, people often stumble due to their vulnerabilities. With prayer, it is easier to resist temptation and align one’s actions with one’s goals.

Romans 13:14 (NIV): “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

What it means: This phrase suggests people surround themselves with the values of Jesus and live a Christ-centered life. By embodying the teachings of Christ, you can overcome the enticements of the flesh and live a life approvable to God.

Romans 8:5-6 (NIV): “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

What it means: This passage talks about two ways of living: one according to the flesh and the other to the Spirit. People who are driven by desires and selfish urges ultimately lead to spiritual demise. Those living according to the Spirit focus on spiritual values and align their actions with God’s will, leading to life and peace.

Is masturbation a Sin According to the Bible?

The Bible does not explicitly mention anything about masturbation. However, ancient Christian history suggests masturbation is considered sinful. Until 1930, all contraception was considered sinful—including sexual acts with no goal of reproduction. So is it a sin to masturbate? Some people see masturbation as a lustful act while others believe that it is a normal bodily action and has nothing to do with sin.

Masturbation and Lust

Although, the Bible has mentioned that lust is a sin. Lust is a strong desire for someone or something that is not yours. Even if you are not viewing porn, lustful thoughts can lead to masturbation

But apart from lust, is masturbation a sin? The Bible contains some passages that indicate the sinfulness of the act:

• 1 Corinthians 7:4 – Your sexuality is reserved for marriage, and your body belongs to your spouse.  
• Galatians 5:16 – Walking in the Spirit means denying the desires of our flesh.
• Colossians 3:5 – Our connection with Jesus means that we must kill our impulses for sexual immorality.

It is unlikely that masturbation can be a God-honoring activity. It should be done with

• no lust in the heart
• no sinful thoughts
• full assurance that it is right
• gratification to God

then perhaps it would be allowable.

Can Christians do Masturbation?

It is important to remember that although the Bible does not specifically mention masturbation, it does specify the importance of avoiding sexual immorality and practising self-control in our activities. Christian churches have agreed on the fact that masturbation is not a sin, as long as the individual remains virtuous and has no intention to cause harm. It is also a point to remember that any kind of sexual activity outside of marriage is considered a sin according to the bible.

It also becomes wrong when you let it become an addiction as you are glorifying a “false idol” and not able to learn the meaning of true love. Christians who masturbate acquire fake self-love that has discouraged consideration of the world and has become a sin that needs to be renounced to God for conquering.

Is Masturbation a Sin if You’re Married?

Hebrews 13:4 tells us that there is freedom in marriage for sexual activity as long as it happens between a husband and wife.

Here is a simple example to make you understand better – Two rivers stream smoothly and calmly until they join to form a new river and they clash against one another. However, as it flows downstream, it slowly quiets down and runs smoothly again. It is even broader and magnificent with more power.

It is the same in a marriage, a new alliance may be stormy, but when achieved you can acquire great joy in the marriage.

Rather than asking yourself if it is a sin to masturbate, perhaps a better question to ask is, is this smart? The truth is that we can teach our bodies to react to certain triggers. Those who are suffering from porn addiction often find that they are only aroused by erotic images and struggle to maintain a good relationship with their partner. 

This can also happen through masturbation. You get used to reaching climax only after self-satisfaction, which will ultimately leave your partner disappointed.

What about Phone Sex with Spouses?

Love is to be expressed between two people in a relationship and sex is a great act of marriage and communication. Whether phone sex is a sin or not depends on your thoughts. Among some people, phone sex is done out of love and romance, but is less than the ideal of an actual sexual union-which is the goal of every married couple.

For others, it may be for selfish desires and insensitive use of the person on the side of the phone. Only your conscience can decide what this sexual action means.

The Bible states that it is not a sin for a husband and wife to engage in phone sex together. It becomes wrong if either of the spouses has lustful desires for other people.

Other than with the person you are married to, phone sex is considered an activity to do something sinful, known as adultery.

It displays immorality and impurity. Cybersex and phone sex are virtual infidelity if they are fantasizing about a person lustfully or provoking another person to give in to immoral lust. 

Is Masturbation a Sin If I Control My Thoughts?

If you are considering this question, it indicates that you respect the holiness of God or wish to live rightly. Several people in this world are unashamedly viewing pornography and masturbating without thinking whether or not it’s a sin.

Anyone who looks at an individual with lust has already committed adultery.

If your right eye or hand makes you sin, tear it out as you should lose one of your parts rather than your whole body. (Matthew 5:27–30)

It does not mean that you have to cut off your body parts, but he is saying that these are the body parts causing us to sin.

Jesus teaches us that sin does not form in our bodies or actions but in our hearts.

“Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, and slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” (Matthew 15:10–11, 17–20)

It is clear that he is speaking metaphorically about getting rid of any part of our character that causes us to sin:

• “The right eye” is our thinking mind, which is our mental “eyesight.”
• “The right hand” is the intention of our heart

If we have thoughts that are driving us to evil and, must remove from our character.

Jesus wants to convey that our evil actions come from our hearts, not from our physical bodies. It is possible to suppress evil, but the only way to fully eradicate it is to deal with it in the heart, meaning our loves, reasons, and intentions.

Masturbation does not provoke lust, nor is it sinful. It all depends on your thoughts and motives when you do it. So the essential thing is not the action, but the idea and feelings behind it.

How to Stop Masturbation Addiction?

If masturbation is becoming a problem, there are strategies and techniques on how to stop masturbation:

1. Seek Professional help

Therapy is ideal for anyone struggling with any addiction or other mental health disorders. It can help individuals determine the root cause of their addiction and develop new strategies to overcome them. Group therapy is also helpful to process traumas and build relationships that address their porn addiction.

2. Engage in a new hobby

When you start spending all your time on porn and masturbation, you stop enjoying the hobbies you once used to love. Watching porn itself becomes a daily habit that can lead to several problems in your life. Try reading a book, or engaging in a sport you are interested in and cultivate new practices.

3. Block porn on your device

Cutting off access to pornography is a critical step to stop masturbating.

Also Read: What Happens When You Stop Masturbating for One Month?

How to get rid of pornography?

• Use your phone’s in-built settings – Screen Time for iPhone and Google Play restrictions for Android to block adult content on your device
• Use a Chrome extension – You can find several Chrome extensions which facilitate porn blocking with a single click.
• Use a porn blocker software – BlockP also comes as an app ready to download on your device. It offers several unique features like real-time content detection, AI Blocking, Password Protection, Focus Mode etc.

1. Physical Exercise

Physical activity is a good way to both reduce stress and positively focus energy.

Activities such as running, swimming, or playing your favourite sport can strengthen the body and release dopamine that promotes the feel-good sensation in your body and reduces the desire to masturbate as frequently.

2. Nurture Your Sex Life

Once you permanently decide to quit porn and lead a healthier lifestyle, it provides a chance to explore and develop better sexual relationships. Honesty with partners can promote intimacy, trust, and a deeper connection. It’s essential to seek consent, give regard to boundaries, and uncover shared desires to enhance the passionate experience.

FAQs on Is Masturbation a Sin?

1] Is jerking off a sin?

Ans. Nowhere in the Bible is it explicitly mentioned that jerking off is forbidden. There is no issue with masturbation, which is neither right nor wrong, but the lustful sexual fantasies that come along with it.

2] Is touching yourself a sin?

Ans. Masturbation stained by guilt, should be embraced responsibly. Irrational ideas must yield a revived understanding. It’s time to give up on addictive habits like sinful thoughts and extreme masturbation.

3] Can Christians masturbate?

Ans. Christian churches have settled on the fact that masturbation is not a sin, as long as the person remains righteous and has no intention to cause harm.

4] Is masturbation against the bible?

Ans. The Bible doesn’t directly mention anything about masturbation. Some verses highlight avoiding lustful desires, which can be connected to masturbation.

5] Why is masturbation wrong?

Ans. The action of masturbating itself isn’t wrong. However, if it interrupts your daily life, causes guilt and impure thoughts, or involves unhealthy content, it’s better to get rid of the habit.