Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 4/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hoe does masturbation come down to lust?

ANSWER: Hi Austin,

Masturbation comes from both the lust of the eye, the lust of the mind, and a physical action... sex with yourself.  Jesus warns against all three areas of temptation:

Matthew 5:27-30
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.  30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: But my grandmother, who is also a Baptist, says masturbation isn't a sin, and that it is perfectly normal. And what about those people who donate sperm are they going to go to hell?
Please respond, thanks.

Answer
Hi Austin,

THanks for this follow up.  First of all, this is not about going to Hell.  All of us deserve that.  THis is why Jesus died for us in the first place.  The problem is the imagination of lusting and thinking about having sex with others... that is the big problem with masturbation according to Matthew 5:27-30.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don