Masturbation

Masturbation, in strict sense, is "sexual activity involving only one person, resulting in orgasm." Other widely used emotionally neutral terms are: "self-stimulation," "auto-eroticism" and "self-pleasuring."

Masturbation is defined in the Webster's Dictionary as "erotic stimulation involving the genital organs commonly resulting in orgasm and achieved by manual or other bodily contact exclusive of sexual intercourse, by instrumental manipulation, by sexual fantasies, or by various combinations of these agencies".

It can be done in solitary, with manual stimulation of the genital organs, or with stimulation by other ways, like introducing any kind of object into the vagina, or by sexual fantasies. It also can be obtained by stimulation of the genital organs by other person in different ways: Most homosexual activity is actually masturbation, because the orgasm is obtained without regular sexual intercourse of man and woman. Oral and anal sex are a kind of masturbation. Bestiality is also masturbation when the orgasm is reached.

The Bible:

The Bible doesn't mention the word masturbation, however, indirectly calls it "idolatry": sexual idolatry will damage our relationship with God and defile his temple (our bodies).

Masturbation is against the biblical teachings which always talk about sex with respect in the marriage context and to have children. To pursue sexual pleasure or orgasm in manner not associated with marital intercourse that is love-giving and open to the creation of new life violates the will of God and it is immoral.

- Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming." (Col. 3:5-6).

- "But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints...Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience...Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light." (Eph. 5:3-13).

Jesus Himself condemns "sexual Fantasies" in the Sermon of the Mount, and "masturbation can be included in them. "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. (Mat.5:27-28).

Moreover, masturbation is a dishonor and a perversion of our own body, which is a temple of God ((1Cor.3:6, 6:19). And the Bible says: - "therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies" (Rom.1:24). - and warns us, "put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed" (Col.3:5). Masturbation defiles God's temple and grieves the Holy Spirit: As believers in Jesus Christ, our bodies are literally temples for God's Holy Spirit, who lives in us. Sexual sin is unique in that it damages this special union we have with God. Paul alluded to this when he wrote that sexual sin is sinning against our own bodies:

- 18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1Cor.6:18-20). He even compared it to trying to unite Jesus with a prostitute (1Cor.6:15-16)

- Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness." (Rom. 6:13).

- You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. (Ps.90:8). The Bible says it is an abomination and a perversion any kind of homosexual activity and bestiality, and the one who has homosexual activity or bestiality shall be put to death (Lev.18:22-23, 20:13-15).