I watch this video and I think she makes some good points. Nowhere in scripture is masturbation forbidden. It has health benefits. We need to be careful about becoming addicted to it. And we shouldn't lust when doing it. But it can be okay. What does everyone else think? Spoiler: Video has a pretty woman talking about masturbation but there nothing explicit said (I've read female journals on here that are far worse).
If you're just looking for excuses to do it and justify it in your head, then I would still say stay far way. If you really believe you have a clear conscience on the matter, however, then I cannot say another word.
I actually am sympathetic to the view that the scriptures are amoral to the act of masturbation. However, it is worth considering its usefulness. Is it useful to fantasize of other women who don’t belong to you for your own pleasure? I myself cannot separate the lustful thoughts with the act itself. Keep yourself away from immortality
When reading the bible around moral issues, it is better to look for what is spoken on, rather than what is not. The lack of explicit condemnation is not a convincing argument to affirm it. The bible often speaks of sexual immorality. I believe the word used is pornea (that's off of memory so it could be off). It refers to any sexual act outside of marriage. Also, good luck separating masturbation from everything that comes with it. And if you need to be careful not to be addicted to something, why mix with it? Sexual purity also goes way beyond rules. Examine the spirit of the law. Does what you are doing enable you to love better? To pursue God in your life? Peace, TARS
Sex is Sacred as it is pro-creative. What else in the world can create a Life? God has given us all our talents and abilities for some goals. As we see in Matthew 25 (Parable of Talents), we have to glorify God with our talents and abilities. If sex is meant for giving life and love, then masturbation is not glorifying God. It is neither pro-creative nor sharing love with a partner. So, I think masturbation is not the right way God intend us to use sex for.
True, the words “masturbation” do not appear in the Bible. But what do you understand from the inspired counsel of the apostle Paul at Colossians 3:5? To those not wanting to lose God’s approval, he says: “Deaden [Do not excite], therefore, your body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness.” Unlike fornication, masturbation is something a person may do by himself or herself. But does that keep it from being unclean? Or is it also a giving in to, and being dominated by, “sexual appetite”?
I believe it’s okay for some people and not for others. It’s not for me because it becomes compulsive for me, will escalate, and cause me to isolate, etc. it’s also a gateway drug for me that begins my slide into darker behaviors. That’s just my reality right now. It doesnt mean it’s that way for everyone. It isn’t. I believe masturbation is developmentally normal for youth and isn’t inherently bad. Some people can drink and be fine. I’m fine drinking responsibly. Some can masturbate and be fine. I’m not one of those.
I don't think masturbation can be compared to alcohol in this case (though alcohol warrants its own conversation). Masturbation takes something that is meant for relations between a man and a woman and perverts it. It will effect the way you approach sex, and if any lust is involved (which there almost ALWAYS is), it will effect the way you approach people. Lust, in its pure form encourages an attitude of taking, when in relationship with others we should always be practicing giving. Masturbation is simply not done in a vacuum. It effects us and all the people around us. I don't think this is wholly different for any person. What do you think? TARS P.S. I agree that it is 'normal', but that does not make it good.
I found the article with that quote: https://www.xxxchurch.com/teens/is-masturbation-helping-me-stay-pure-2.html
In my thinking and experience masturbation could become an example of self-gratification. Possibly displaying a lack of discipline and self-control. I doubt it can be an act which glorifies God and wonder how it is possible to do it without an overtly focus on one self. This includes fantasies. However, the reason for a person to seek it or do it (and/or be mastered by it) can be completely separate from this and could be thought of as a "symptom" of an underlying "cause".
I've just been reading through these posts here. Personally I like to stay away from masturbation and the good reasons being are that it fuels thoughts of women in my mind, therefore I would objectify women (even women I may know) in my mind and if I masturbate, I would usually want to do it again though with pictures the next time. When I keep my hands off it, I am focused and self-controlled/in control.
I didn't even watch the video so I'm not really qualified to talk about it, but if I'm thinking of the right person that woman that does the vid has a lot of unconventional crap that most Christians wouldn't agree with, I believe that she is one of those people that come up with a lot of reasons to do what they want. I am not trying to judge her exactly, but just be aware.
Yeah, that seems about right. I'd also agree with @Saint Augustine in that if you're looking for justification of your selfish actions, then maybe don't. Jesus said, "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." When we account for rabbinic hyperbole (the Jewish traditional teaching method of grossly overstating something for effect, which was a well understood method of teaching in Jesus' time), Jesus' message is, "if this is going to be a problem for you, don't go there. Like, just don't." In his sermon series "Let's talk about sex" Bruxy Cavey offers this idea as a measure: if it is drawing you away from God or others, if it is isolating you and potentially hurting them, then don't. If it is drawing you closer to God and to others, then go for it. With that in mind, porn definitely hurts others and isolates you (99.99% of the time, and chances are you aren't watching instructional videos featuring woman who never were pressured into the trade with your spouse in order to better your relationship). Generally, porn hurts people and draws you away from God. What about making out? Or mutual masturbation? Well, is it drawing you closer to God and to other people? If yes, then ok. If no, then not ok. Truth is, you're going to need to think about it.
For me,i wish i had never discovered it. Its been pure poison for me. Total poison which has wrecked my life.
Your conscience will clearly tell you if it's moral or not. Often the guidance of the Bible is general and implicit, not explicit, and it's your conscience's job to work out the details. The Bible tells us to always obey our conscience, whether there is a Law or not. You can overwrite your conscience with "reasons"/excuses. It's like turning off a vital alarm system. Not a good idea. If your conscience is clean, then yea, go for it! But we both know that in reality your conscience will complain. And it's not going to stop doing so, unless you force it, even if you find the best "reasons", because it's faithful and it knows better. There may be situations where it's Lawful. "You can masturbate, just don't lust"? Well, good luck. Then could also say we can do some drugs together, as long as it's in moderation, we don't become addicted, and we still fulfil all our responsibilities... right?
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 38:9-10