Expert: Phillip Senn - 12/7/2008

Question
is mastubating wrong at age 20

Answer
Below are two answers I have offered before on allexperts.com concerning your question.

"It is referred to in Genesis 38:9. While it doesn't specifically refer to masturbation by name, it is implied. The thing which he did "displeased the Lord, wherefore He slew him also.

There are many arguments against this passage referring to masturbation by those that say masturbation is not sinful. However, the argument could also be made that masturbation does not allow the seed, that is in the sperm, to reach God's intended purpose for that sperm. Anytime we usurp our rights over God's will, that is sin.

I hope that this answers your question, and that whatsoever you do, you will do it as unto the Lord. It would be very difficult for a believer in Christ to dishonor the Lord by dishonoring the Lord in this way."


"Scripture offers many suggestions on overcoming temptations.

1. Think on things that are pure, etc. (Phil. 4:8).

2. Meditate on God's Word (Ps. 119:11)

3. Flee fornication, which is best described as all sexual uncleanness (1 Cor. 6:18)

4. Recognize that sexual immorality does not begin in the body, but in the heart (James 1:13-15, Matt. 5:28)

5. Confession of sins does not mean merely to say to God, "OK, I have sinned." It means to come into agreement with God about the sin. That would include the payment of that sin, which cost Christ Jesus His life at Calvary. John says in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS."

I will continue to pray that the Lord Jesus will help you overcome this sin addiction. I hope these things will be a help to you, and that your question has been answered in a way that glorifies the Lord Jesus."



"I have answered this before on the allexperts.com website. I will try to clarify here for you as well.

Masturbation is self gratification. Scripture says we are to flee fornication. Fornication, by definition, refers to all sexual perversion. It is not a natural use of the body to masturbate. Paul even declares in his letter to the Corinthian church, "For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." I would suggest that the burning here probably refers to burning in sexual lust, although some have suggested it refers to burning in hell.

All through the Scriptures we are told not to seek self gratification, in any way. Our sole gratification should be in honoring the Lord Jesus. I think it would be safe to say that it would not be honoring the Lord Jesus to masturbate.

The masturbation may start without lustful thoughts, but given time, the person who masturbates will begin to seek greater self pleasure, and that will lead to seeking visual, or mental, images to stimulate those desires. All sin, when not dealt with properly, will lead to a greater sin. If we confess (agree with God concerning) our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I hope this is helpful.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn