Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 6/27/2008

Question
Hi Pastor,

Where in the Bible does it say that masturbation is a sin?
I've heard about the sin of Onan, but is there any other reference to masturbation being wrong in the Bible?  I ask this because the sin of Onan is more like coitus interuptus, and not really masturbation.

Also, why did God kill Onan?  What did he really do that was all that wrong?

Answer
Hi AJ,

Thanks for this great question.  Onan's sin was not masturbation.

Genesis 38:8-10
8 And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. 9 And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The tradition was for the brother of the deceased to marry his widow in order for the widow to bear children that would care for her in her old age.  Onan married her, but did not want to give her seed tocare for her, that is why he had sex, but pulled out.... so she would not have a child.  God was angry with Onan for that.... that is why he died.

Masturbation is sexual fantasy, and Jesus tells us that the fantasy is wrong.

Matthew 5:27-28
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.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I suppose that one could make a case that you could masturbate and have absolutely no sexual thoughts.... but I am not buying that....

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don