Biblical references on the Sin of Masturbation

[ndeparis88]

I guess I am starting to clash on a website with someone who may be some denomination of Christian. What biblical evidence is there to support that masturbation is a sin. I guess something that a protestant could get with. I tried going the route of Onan but I don’t think that worked.

 

[Della]

It comes under the heading of sexual impurity:

Rom.1[24] Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

Rom. 6[19] I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once yielded your members to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now yield your members to righteousness for sanctification.

2Cor.12[21] I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned before and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and licentiousness which they have practiced.

Gal.5[19] Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,

Eph.5[3] But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints.

Col.3[5] Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

 

[po18guy]

I guess I am starting to clash on a website with someone who may be some denomination of Christian. What biblical evidence is there to support that masturbation is a sin. I guess something that a protestant could get with. I tried going the route of Onan but I don’t think that worked.

Google the sin of Onan. In German, to masturbate is called “Onanieren”

 

[DaveBj]

Google the sin of Onan. In German, to masturbate is called “Onanieren”

Onan’s sin was coitus interruptus, not masturbation. Unfortunately, his name has been attached to the latter, but what he really did was to pull out at his climax so that he would not impregnate his late brother’s wife and leave his brother an heir.

 

[po18guy]

Onan’s sin was coitus interruptus, not masturbation. Unfortunately, his name has been attached to the latter, but what he really did was to pull out at his climax so that he would not impregnate his late brother’s wife and leave his brother an heir.

Two factors: the spilling of seed, and opposition to God’s will. The first always includes the second. In this combination, they are inseparable.

 

[TheDumbOx90]

The Bible has relatively little to say on the subject… However, not all Catholic teachings come directly out of the Bible. The Bible is only one source of Catholic teaching. Others would include tradition and the Pope. As Catholics, we don’t need the Bible to say that masturbation is wrong; we know it is wrong because the Church has always taught that it is wrong (CCC 2352).

If you’re trying to make an argument that does not use Catholic teachings, you could make the argument that most protestant religions taught that it was wrong until quite recently, and many still do. You could also make an argument that is is clearly a misuse of our body contrary to human nature (not to say that it doesn’t happen naturally, but that it is contrary to the way humans were designed). It is a sin in much the same way that gluttony is a sin - overindulging for self gratification.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

Two factors: the spilling of seed, and opposition to God’s will. The first always includes the second. In this combination, they are inseparable.

This is not correct. A simple example is a wet dream, where one “spill the seed,” yet it is not sinful. The same is true for accidental external emissions during conjugal relations. There must be intent, and there are plenty of examples where there is no intent to commit this sin.

Furthermore, there are certain specific characteristics in the definition masturbation, such as pleasure. By definition, there is no such thing as masturbation without seeking pleasure.

Regarding Onan, the most obvious thing about the story is disobedience. Onan was ORDERED to have children with his deceased brother’s wife. It doesn’t matter whether he withdrew or simply decided not to have sex. In either case he would have been disobeying, and thus in either case he would have been sinning.

 

[po18guy]

This is not correct. A simple example is a wet dream, where one “spill the seed,” yet it is not sinful. The same is true for accidental external emissions during conjugal relations. There must be intent, and there are plenty of examples where there is no intent to commit this sin.

Furthermore, there are certain specific characteristics in the definition masturbation, such as pleasure. By definition, there is no such thing as masturbation without seeking pleasure.

Regarding Onan, the most obvious thing about the story is disobedience. Onan was ORDERED to have children with his deceased brother’s wife. It doesn’t matter whether he withdrew or simply decided not to have sex. In either case he would have been disobeying, and thus in either case he would have been sinning.

Let me make this extremely clear: I was speaking of a conscious, willful act. That better?

 

[CopticChristian]

I guess I am starting to clash on a website with someone who may be some denomination of Christian. What biblical evidence is there to support that masturbation is a sin. I guess something that a protestant could get with. I tried going the route of Onan but I don’t think that worked.

Ndeparis,

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19751229_persona-humana_en.html

SACRED CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH

PERSONA HUMANA

DECLARATION ON CERTAIN QUESTIONS
CONCERNING SEXUAL ETHICS

The traditional Catholic doctrine that masturbation constitutes a grave moral disorder is often called into doubt or expressly denied today.

This opinion is contradictory to the teaching and pastoral practice of the Catholic Church. Whatever the force of certain arguments of a biological and philosophical nature, which have sometimes been used by theologians, in fact both the Magisterium of the Church - in the course of a constant tradition - and the moral sense of the faithful have declared without hesitation that masturbation is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act.

Even if it cannot be proved that Scripture condemns this sin by name, the tradition of the Church has rightly understood it to be condemned in the New Testament when the latter speaks of “impurity,” “unchasteness” and other vices contrary to chastity and continence.

I am not certain that any Scripture will convince anyone…The Church teaches based on the Tradition of the Church…

 

[Della]

The reason some sins are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible is that they were considered so taboo that they were not to be named; rather an indirect term was used to convey the meaning. We say something like “sin with oneself”, for example when we don’t want to come right out and name it. But the ancient Hebrew people were totally disgusted by such practices–so much so that to even name them was anathema to them. So, there are no explicit references to this sin, but it is implied in the word “impurity”, as I cited in the scripture verses in my first post.

For those who won’t stop this practice unless they see an explicit Bible verse condemning it, there may be no argument, no matter how reasonable, that will convince them they are committing a grave sin. Sacred Tradition, sad to say, means nothing to them. Besides, they want to engage in this sin, so they are going to find excuses to do it. Still, we can try to tell them the truth. But it’s up to them to listen and act on the information. Apart from praying for them, there’s nothing else one can do.

 

[CopticChristian]

The reason some sins are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible is that they were considered so taboo that they were not to be named; rather an indirect term was used to convey the meaning. We say something like “sin with oneself”, for example when we don’t want to come right out and name it. But the ancient Hebrew people were totally disgusted by such practices–so much so that to even name them was anathema to them. So, there are no explicit references to this sin, but it is implied in the word “impurity”, as I cited in the scripture verses in my first post.
For those who won’t stop this practice unless they see an explicit Bible verse condemning it, there may be no argument, no matter how reasonable, that will convince them they are committing a grave sin. Sacred Tradition, sad to say, means nothing to them. Besides, they want to engage in this sin, so they are going to find excuses to do it. Still, we can try to tell them the truth. But it’s up to them to listen and act on the information. Apart from praying for them, there’s nothing else one can do.

Della,

Since the Church teaches and has taught as noted in the posting from what the Church says, knowing that the Church posted this in other the CAF, not disregarding that posting anywhere does not denigrate the posting…it is safe to say that your posting previously does not supersede the posting of the Church that was posted long before your posting…

Even if it cannot be proved that Scripture condemns this sin by name, the tradition of the Church has rightly understood it to be condemned in the New Testament when the latter speaks of “impurity,” “unchasteness” and other vices contrary to chastity and continence.

 

[Della]

Della,

Since the Church teaches and has taught as noted in the posting from what the Church says, knowing that the Church posted this in other the CAF, not disregarding that posting anywhere does not denigrate the posting…it is safe to say that your posting previously does not supersede the posting of the Church that was posted long before your posting…

I haven’t the slightest idea to what you are referring. This is the only thread on the topic I’ve bothered to read, since it’s been discussed to death and the topic it is distasteful to me. So, whatever you meant to convey–God bless anyway.

 

[andrewstx]

I guess I am starting to clash on a website with someone who may be some denomination of Christian. What biblical evidence is there to support that masturbation is a sin. I guess something that a protestant could get with. I tried going the route of Onan but I don’t think that worked.

The sin of Onan was coitus interptus so he could not provide his dead brother with an heir, it was not masturbation.

 

[ndeparis88]

The reason some sins are not explicitly mentioned in the Bible is that they were considered so taboo that they were not to be named; rather an indirect term was used to convey the meaning. We say something like “sin with oneself”, for example when we don’t want to come right out and name it. But the ancient Hebrew people were totally disgusted by such practices–so much so that to even name them was anathema to them. So, there are no explicit references to this sin, but it is implied in the word “impurity”, as I cited in the scripture verses in my first post.

For those who won’t stop this practice unless they see an explicit Bible verse condemning it, there may be no argument, no matter how reasonable, that will convince them they are committing a grave sin. Sacred Tradition, sad to say, means nothing to them. Besides, they want to engage in this sin, so they are going to find excuses to do it. Still, we can try to tell them the truth. But it’s up to them to listen and act on the information. Apart from praying for them, there’s nothing else one can do.

Yes this is true. I was trying to help people see that when it came down to it all they were doing is trying to make excuses for themselves.

 

[DaveBj]

Yes this is true. I was trying to help people see that when it came down to it all they were doing is trying to make excuses for themselves.

For the record, I personally do not see the absence of an explicit prohibition of masturbation in Sacred Scripture as an excuse to continue the practice. The position of the Catholic Church, as derived from Sacred Tradition and stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is sufficient for me.

 

[CopticChristian]

For the record, I personally do not see the absence of an explicit prohibition of masturbation in Sacred Scripture as an excuse to continue the practice. The position of the Catholic Church, as derived from Sacred Tradition and stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is sufficient for me.

Dave,

This be true, and if you look at the Catechism you will find that the support for this statement in the Catechism is based on a reference that I provided in post 9. The Church say so based on Tradition…it be so.

 

[ndeparis88]

Dave,

This be true, and if you look at the Catechism you will find that the support for this statement in the Catechism is based on a reference that I provided in post 9. The Church say so based on Tradition…it be so.

Yes indeed. Wouldn’t it then be prudent to sort of add that in a conversation. I do feel that people think it’s like something that is unfounded. It’s like they hear that the RCC just said no and didn’t give an explanation.

 

[CopticChristian]

Yes indeed. Wouldn’t it then be prudent to sort of add that in a conversation. I do feel that people think it’s like something that is unfounded. It’s like they hear that the RCC just said no and didn’t give an explanation.

paris,

I suggest you do as I did and get yourself a copy of the Audio Catechism of the USA and hard copy of same. I suggest you review the reasons why the Church says so on certain issues and be ready to point them out. Our conversations will change when we know and understand the orderly thinking of the Catechism

Profession of Faith
Sacramental Life
Life in Christ
Prayer

I have discovered by orienting my thinking to the deposit of Faith that my thinking is ordered and when I see some posting other than ordered thinking as it concerns the deposit of Faith there is disorder.

 

[howareyou1]

Indeed, masturbation is a sin, however, i have always heard that Onan wasn’t masturbating.

The other day i was reading somewhere on the internet about how Matthew chapter 5 verses 27 to 32 is related to masturbation.

27“You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.aj,ak 28But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye •causes you to sin,am gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.an 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell!

 

[CopticChristian]

Indeed, masturbation is a sin, however, i have always heard that Onan wasn’t masturbating.

The other day i was reading somewhere on the internet about how Matthew chapter 5 verses 27 to 32 is related to masturbation.

27“You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.aj,ak 28But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye •causes you to sin,am gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.an 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell!

How,

This is one approach. There are left handed people in the world, so to cut off your right hand in sinning with the right leaves you with another hand. Since a hand is an appendage and if any appendage is the source of sin then cutting it off resolves the problem does it not? On the other hand to dismember the part from our mind would accomplish the same purpose would it not?

So then

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The word in this case is Christ himself…is it possible that as you model Christ and seek Holiness you can allow Christ to sever, in your mind, sharper than any two edged sword thoughts, deeds and attitudes of the heart…

or

Should we take advice as found in Matthew and get thee a sword and cut it off?