Masturbation Isn’t In The Bible From The Road to Grace Devotional

Posted On: Feb 28, 2012By Mike Genung

But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:9

Christians who try to justify masturbation often offer up an argument like this: “Well, masturbation isn’t in the Bible, so it must be okay, right?” If we follow this through to its logical conclusion, snorting cocaine or smoking marijuana are acceptable to God as well. But, since the prohibition of drunkenness is a guiding principle in God’s word, we know that using illegal substances is sin.

Today we will examine the principles surrounding masturbation from a Biblical perspective:

Principle #1: The only time sex is ever sanctioned in Scripture is in the context of a marriage between one man and his wife. In Genesis 2, God said that “a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” In Hebrews 13:4 we read that: “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled, for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Marital sex is satisfying, warm, and can involve procreation. Masturbation offers none of this. Once the act of self-sex is over, there is always the sense that something is missing. That “something” is the spouse.

Principle #2: Masturbation is never offered as a viable means for dealing with sexual desire. Read 1st Corinthians 7:9 again; if masturbation was a God given option for dealing with one’s sex drive, it would have read something like this: “But if they do not have self control, let them masturbate or marry, for it is better to have sex with one’s self or wife than to burn with passion.” God didn’t forget about masturbation when He spoke this verse through Paul; marriage was the only option offered because this is all we were meant to have.

Principle #3: Masturbation is never offered as a way to deal with stressful circumstances, depression, discouragement. We never read of one of the figures in God’s word having self–sex as a way to cope with life.

Principle #4: We are to receive our comfort from Christ, and others: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2nd Corinthians 1:4). Note that after receiving our comfort from Christ, we will be able to offer the same to others. Masturbation short circuits the conduit of love.

Principle #5: We are commanded to master our bodies and their urges, not be enslaved to them.“But I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” 1st Corinthians 9:27 (see also 1st Peter 2:11, 1st Corinthians 6:12, 1st Thessalonians 4:3-5). The man who is enslaved to masturbation is driven and controlled by his flesh; his character is weak.

This softness of heart is a theme that runs through his life; if he can’t say no to his sexual urges, he will struggle with moral compromise in other areas of his life.

God’s vision for us is to be strong men of character who love our wives as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25–27), serve others, and stand for truth.

Masturbation has no place in this picture.

Excerpt from The Road to Grace Devotional
©2012 by Mike Genung. All Rights Reserved. This excerpt may be copied and forwarded only if this permission paragraph is retained intact and a link to this website is included.