Heed The Watchmen

Is Masturbation a Sin?

            God gives us His Word in such a wonderful way! In addressing iniquity, the Lord uses discreet language that is sure in its meaning; God chooses words which will not inflame us into sinful considerations.

            It is by this example, given from God, that I have hesitated in taking on this topic. Yet many have questions on it, and it has become an extensive evil; even within the organized church today. It is a deceptive and destructive force which will keep us bound in the flesh—the subjects of sin. Only with the resurrection power of Christ living in us, as we daily crucify the flesh, can we overcome in this area. I speak and write to you as one who is daily set free by the incomparable power of the Lord Jesus Christ; all praise, honor, and glory to His name!

            With regard given to discretion, this issue will be referred to as M for the rest of the article. Please take time to pray before reading; that the Holy Ghost Himself will lead you into the understanding of God’s will in this area.

            Satan will always try to make a believer rationalize away the sin in their lives. It is true that every way of man is right in his own eyes (see Proverbs 21:2). What we need is the Lord’s wisdom and leading, which will be found and supported by the Word of God. If you have been enslaved in this practice of M, please read through this entire article patiently—remember that I write as one whom God has freed from this by His Word and mercy (John 8:31,32).

            Perhaps the greatest lie our enemy uses to convince us that this sin is acceptable, is by telling us that M meets a physical need. A need over which there is no power or control; we were created with it, we must do it.

            As with most lies given by the devil, there is a small truth in the “physical need” rationale. We do have a strong drive toward sexual intercourse, but it doesn’t require constant gratification! The Bible shows us what God expects of our behavior regarding sexual needs; this includes restraint, and prioritizing. The real fuel behind the “physical need” argument comes from the theory of evolution; which reduces the special creations of God to random, freak acts of nature. Though scientifically disproven, the American government continues to promote evolution as truth. This has in turn led to the promotion of physical stimulation, of which sexual intercourse is the greatest. You will not have turned on the television for long, when you will have witnessed the sexual “push” through language, dress, and criminal behavior. The truth from God is that mankind was created in His image—that we are in fact spiritual beings temporarily trapped within corrupted flesh (I Corinthians 15:50-54).

            The sin of M falls under the broader category of sins known as fornication/adultery. These sins refer to having sexual relations with someone other than your spouse. In God’s Word, the terms adultery and fornication, with their root-words, are found 113 times! Of course there are also many other descriptive words used when referring to sins that are sexually immoral.

            In general, M occurs while one is fantasizing about intimate relations with someone other than their spouse. Both the act of adultery and the thought of adultery are sins before God. The real acting out of the sin may contain more visible consequences; yet all too often the fantasy also becomes acted out in the lives of those involved.

Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14

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; I Thessalonians 4:3,4

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: Matthew 15:19

            There is often some seemingly sound reason behind M. It could be viewed as a “release” of the sex drive during a time when your spouse would struggle with making love; due to fatigue, or some other limiting factor. So you fantasize rather than pressure them. What if you think about your spouse during M? Would that be alright? The answer to both is an emphatic no.

            God created marriage to be a beautiful thing. It was in this union that the physical drive for sex was to be satisfied. Unfortunately today, many get married with sexual attraction as the only real basis for their relationship. This is not true love at all, and it is why there is so much infidelity—and failed relationships.

            You cannot turn to M in an exchange for partner’s marital duties. Yes, everyone physically needs a break at times, and should have it (occasionally). But M under those conditions is the equivalent to a real forsaking of your partner when they can’t fulfill you physically! You take what is pledged to them, and give it to another. And to fantasize about your spouse demeans them to being merely an object for your own sexual gratification. Also, fantasies are always perfect. Because of their unreal nature, you create it in your mind to be exactly what you want. What spouse could live up to that? It is hurtful and unfair.

It is also demeaning to fantasize of another person for sexual intercourse. Instead of true Christian love, you esteem them only for the gratifying of your own lusts; you put self-love above all other considerations. Christianity is about self-denial, not self-fulfillment!

            Husbands and wives are obliged to be there for other’s physical drives. It is imperative that spouses take this duty seriously, or you are presenting an opportunity for sin to enter your relationship. Working many hours or long shifts which keep you separated is unacceptable; if that is your life, submit to God and pray that He will make a way for you to be obedient in this area. Long separations (work travel) must also be addressed in this way. God created us a certain way, and instructs us through His Word for our own best welfare. Small, natural “breaks” from intercourse will occur. The drives you have stored up should be reserved for your spouse, and will only help your relationship to deepen in true love. Sex should never be held over someone’s head as a reward or punishment! No true believer can practice such a thing! If you really love your spouse and claim Jesus Christ as your Lord, you must obey His Word in this matter.

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:4-6

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. I  Corinthians 7:2-5

            “All these things are well and good,” you may say, “but does the Bible ever directly talk about the issue of M?” We need to take the Bible (KJV only) seriously in everything it says, directly or not; it is God’s Word for us through the Holy Ghost. Much terminology has changed, or only come into use after the Bible was written. For example, we never actually see the term sex in the Bible—yet we are certain when it is being discussed!

            In providing an example, much ado is also made over whether Jonah was swallowed by a fish or a whale—the whale now being designated as a mammal, instead of a fish. But the term mammal is man-made, and only came into existence in the 17^th century! God identified the kind of fish (Jonah 1:17) that swallowed Jonah as a whale (Matthew 12:40), and He felt no need to further specify!

            So when it comes to the issue of M, I have found only one direct reference in its regard—but others which give us an idea of how God feels about it (besides the adultery references). In Leviticus 22 is the single direct referral to M. We find it in a description of various unclean things in Leviticus 22:3-6:

Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD. What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or hath a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goeth from him; Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath; The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water. Leviticus 22:3-6

            Yet God gives more indicators of His feelings on the matter. The Lord shows us that the “seed” which goes forth from the man is meant to be shared with his wife internally; with reproduction being a natural result. Let’s look at this example from Genesis 38:8-10:

And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. Genesis 38:8-10

            Again, this previous passage is not directly describing M; but it does reveal God’s thoughts on where a man’s seed should go! Yes, this also pertains to the woman, who was primarily created to be a helper, wife, and mother of children for the man (see our section The Role of Women).

            Back in Leviticus, more confirmation is given in chapter 15:16-18 (please read). These verses also do not directly refer to M; but do show that when the “seed” touches the outer skin, the person becomes unclean.

            When contending for victory over M, we should not overlook the powerful influence of devils which afflict us in matters of sexual temptation. I believe the Bible warns more of sexual sins than any other type of iniquity. Not because it is more evil than others; but because it is the most easily fallen into. God created us with these “urges” which were meant to be released in marriage. Intercourse then was created to be a beautiful and powerful uniting of a man and woman, and it is greatly blessed by God for believers in marriage.

            Satan has also long observed this, and I believe that he envied this special gift of God for mankind. This is the reason our enemy so strongly afflicts us in areas of sexual temptation. Genesis 6:1-5 attests to this fact.

And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:1-5

            The fallen angels lusted after women, and created a way(s) to have intercourse with them! This was the major wicked corruption which led to the Flood.

            Fornication/adultery is a self-destructive sin, destroying much more than our spiritual relationship with God. Remember that Satan knows this fact as well, and wants “to kill, steal, and destroy.” We need to consider these facts seriously. Let’s look at God’s warning about this;

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9,10

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. I Corinthians 6:15-20

            (All bold type in the Bible verses is my own; it is provided for emphasis concerning our subject matter.)

            Therefore remember how powerful our adversary is, and I say this with regard to his first-hand involvement. Any pornography, whether it be viewed or read, is already satanically cursed. There will be devils in close proximity to these items, and those involved with them. These devils will fuel our imaginations, which they strive to also bring into reality. Think of not only one, but two people being persuaded of devils in sexual imaging, being then brought together by the cooperating devils involved! This is a powerful curse that only Jesus can cleanse—with the Holy Ghost’s empowerment to overcome.

            We need, then, to be wary of our enemy, knowing his devices—continually submitting even our thoughts; especially our thoughts, to the obedience of Christ !

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; II Corinthians 10:3-5

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14

            The evil imaginings bring upon us very real soul-ties. These become strongholds of Satan, that need to be directly spoken against in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:18). Even so, this will likely not be a one-time prayer event. We must die to ourselves daily, and many times more than once (Luke 9:23).

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13

            In so many ways, the Word of God condemns the practice of M. It always works to destroy our lives and relationships; and I believe the Holy Ghost within each believer testifies of its evil.

            If you have been compromised or afflicted by this sinful practice, turn fully to Christ, and hope in Him alone. It is Christ’s atonement that makes us whole (I John 1:7); and the power of His Spirit which will provide the overcoming strength (Romans 8:11). Persist in committing this to Christ, for years of sinful habits are seldom left behind overnight.

            Also, do not compromise with sin—feeling that you are “eternally secure,” and that there is no need for further cleansing. This is lazy, devilish reasoning! God’s Word tells us that we are not condemned when we walk after the Spirit; not the flesh (Romans 8:1). In fact if you are walking after the flesh, you cannot please God (Romans 8:8)! It is worthwhile and rewarding to live a life that is pleasing to God; watching His power grow in us, overcoming what we could never hope to in our own strength.

            In my own struggle to overcome the evil of M, the Lord led me to the book Blood on the Doorposts by William Schnoebelen (I obtained it through Chick.com). Much that I have learned has come through this book, which is solidly based on the scriptures’ application to real life experience. I give it great recommendation.

            Thank you for your attention to this sensitive and difficult subject matter. May the Lord Himself, as His Holy Spirit directs, quicken this to your spiritual edification.

            But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. I John 3:2,3