Is Masturbation a Sin?

It wasn't that long ago that the question itself would been laughed off the screen, so to speak. "A sin? Of course it is!" Well, we've come a long way since then, and we've figured out that a lot of what Christians throughout history have believed to be right and wrong are not. We've also figured out that the purpose of sex is primarily personal gratification. So how could it be wrong? So, is it a sin? Let's just set this down at the outset; there is no mention of masturbation in the Bible, positive or negative, so it is not a sin. End of story.

Or is it? Some argue that the story of Onan in the Old Testament is a story of mastubatory sin that resulted in the God striking him dead (Gen 38:6-10). Don't be silly. Onan did "spill his seed on the ground," but it wasn't where he spilled it that got him punished; it was his refusal to "perform his duty as a brother-in-law." Besides, coitus interruptus isn't masturbation by any stretch of the imagination. So that settles that.

Or does it? So, the Bible doesn't talk about masturbation and it is not talking about masturbation in the story of Onan, so are there any other considerations? I think so. The biggest reason that most in the history of Christendom considered masturbation a sin was not some vague Victorian sexual mores (because most of the history of Christendom took place long before Victorian sexual mores). No, it was because of the broad prohibition of "sexual immorality" (e.g., 1 Cor 6:13, 18; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; etc.). Sexual immorality, in the end, is broadly defined as any sex outside of marriage. So that would include at least most of masturbation. Don't stop there. Jesus said that lust was adultery (Matt 5:27-30). Can you masturbate without lust? The command is "Let all you do be done to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31) Are you giving glory to God in masturbation? Paul said, "Everything that is not of faith is sin." (Rom 14:23) Those questioning whether or not it's sin are likely not coming from the conviction of faith that it is not. Here's a helpful little hint. Do you hide the fact of masturbation? That could be a clear indication that it is not in faith. Paul also said, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Cor 6:12) Is it possible to masturbate without it becoming a habit? If the fruit of the Spirit includes "self-control" (Gal 5:22-23), is that how we are to understand masturbation? Scripture says we are to "honor God with your body." (1 Cor 6:19-20) Does masturbation do that?

It is undeniable that masturbation is not mentioned in the Bible. As such, it does not fall in the category of categorical sin. There is the problem of sex outside of marriage. Masturbation has one singular focus: me. God designed sex as the union of a husband and a wife, especially for procreation. Masturbation is the absolute denial of that. So it can't be considered good. But if you can masturbate in marriage without lust with an eye to giving glory to God and utter confidence that it is not sin and without being mastered by it, but, rather honoring God in it and practicing self-control, well, then, I'd have to say that perhaps you're okay going ahead with that. If not, the masturbation may not be sin, but everything that drives and accompanies it is.