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Is masturbation a sin?Biblical Perspective - The Bible does not specifically mention masturbation. It does, however, provide some guidelines in this matter. Jesus explained that our thoughts are just as powerful as our actions. "You have heard that it 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" (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV).
If masturbation is the result of lustful thoughts or is enhanced by lustful thoughts, it is clearly a sin. It is just as if you had committed the act with another person. Some people will refer to Genesis 38:9 as a demonstration that masturbation is a sin: But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother (NIV).
But the sin in this passage is that it was Onan's responsibility as a kinsman redeemer to take his deceased brother's wife as his own and produce offspring for his brother. The sin on his part was that he selfishly withheld fulfilling this purpose. kiev apartments Catholic Perspective - The Roman Catholic Church makes a decisive stand on masturbation: By masturbation is to be understood the deliberate stimulation of the genital organs in order to derive sexual pleasure. "Both the Magisterium of the Church, in the course of a constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have been in no doubt and have firmly maintained that masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action. The deliberate use of the sexual faculty, for whatever reason, outside of marriage is essentially contrary to its purpose." For here sexual pleasure is sought outside of "the sexual relationship which is demanded by the moral order and in which the total meaning of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love is achieved." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part 3, Life in Christ)
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Protestant Perspective - Protestant clergy vary widely in their views on masturbation. Some feel it is a sin and others feel it is a natural act. There is general agreement, however, that lustful thoughts are wrong, whether in or outside of the context of masturbation. Spiritual Warfare - In his book, Handbook for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Ed Murphy writes: Bondage to masturbation is spiritual warfare. The desire may first come from within, warfare with the lusts of the flesh. It can also come directly from without, warfare with a sex-crazed world. Finally, it often comes from above, warfare with sexual demons who tempt us to unwise or illicit sexual activity (1 Cor. 7:5).
From this perspective, masturbation can put you at great risk. There is the progressive desire for more excitement as well as the outside demonic influences, both of which can trap you and jeopardize your relationship with God. External References
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