Re: Masturbation in the Bible
Submitted by Ben on May 07 1999 at 21:25:53
In reply to Masturbation in the Bible Submitted by Heather on May 07 1999 at 15:39:10
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Thanks for the link Heather. My church believes that masterbation is sinful because it is not God's intended purpose for sex. They are fundamentalists. In 1 Corinthians 7 however the verse in the NIV reads as follows: 4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. This translation, which is possibly more precise than the one found in the link that you gave (and taught in the bible class :-) does not deny the man ownership of his own body. It only expands that his body is also shared with his wife. I do not conclude in this passage that a man cannot masterbate. Genesis 2:18 in the NIV reads as follows: 18The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Because God created woman as a "helper" so that he would not be lonely also does not prove that masterbation is sinful. I can see the damage that masterbation has done in my own life become addictive and habit forming. I've considered placing it on the same level as alcohol. Certainly alcohol is not sinful, but abuse of it leads to drunkeness which is. By the same token, masterbating a few times a week for me does not stand in the way of me coming to God. Spending night after night masterbating and in search of more material to masterbate with is sinful. Part of my own "taking up the cross" is to take on the committment to try not to masterbate. I completely expect to fall short on this, but I have to believe that to work on it is Godly. You are not alone. 
Ben |