The question of masturbation is central to the fight for sexual purity. There’s no direct answer to this question in the Bible, but I can find some related principles. I firmly believe that masturbation is wrong, particularly for married men, for the following reasons:
- Matthew 5:27-28 – if you lust after a woman in your heart, you have committed adultery. Masturbation is fueled by fantasy. So, ask yourself, “When I masturbate, am I fantasizing about my wife or someone else (even if it is an imaginary someone else)?”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19 – your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Should you unite the Holy Spirit with those images in your fantasies?
- 1 Corinthians 7:4-5 – your body is not your own. It belongs to your wife, and you should not deprive her of it. Are you using masturbation as a replacement for sex, because it is easier?
In addition to these principles from Scripture, here are some other good reasons to abstain…
- Fantasy is mental practice. Practicing imaginary sexual indiscretions with another woman makes it more likely that you will eventually act on the impulse in a weak moment.
- According to Dr. James L. McGaugh (University of California, Irvine), masturbation and orgasm cause your body to release epinephrine (a.k.a. adrenaline), which reinforces the mental images of a fantasy in your brain so that they are harder to get out of your mind.
- Masturbation replaces your need to have sex with your wife, because it relieves the pressure brought about by the 72-hour cycle of semen build-up. God gave us that 72-hour cycle to turn us toward our wives. It compels us to initiate, and as a result, it brings about physical oneness in our marriage.
All of the above being said, let God lead as you attempt to stop masturbation. It’s extremely difficult to give up if you’ve been doing it since you were young.
The guilt associated with failing in this area is frequently worse than the act itself, and it’s Satan’s way of creating distance between God and us. Forgive yourself every time you mess up. God does if you ask Him. Repent, and ask God to help you to abstain. He has grace for you each time you fall.
2 Comments
June 9, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I really thank you for this imformation you have on this site.I never knew about the 72 hour builup.I went to exsplain it to my pastor about how it seems like every three too four days Im attacked ,it seem to come out right as I exsplained I get horney.And for I have no wife so it leads me to masterbate.I fight it somewhat but seem to be getting nowhere it just want let me alone.But come to find out do this imformation you handed theres a physical need to empty semen.May God bless you.
June 17, 2009 at 7:19 am
Thanks, Terrill. I’m glad it was helpful. I first learned about it in a book called, Every Man’s Battle. It’s an excellent book on this topic, and I highly recommend it.
Blessings to you…Michael