About Pastor Don Carpenter Expertise I am a father of four and a Baptist Pastor. Before becoming a senior pastor, I was a youth pastor and worker for over 10 years. If you ask this volunteer a question, you will get the benifit of 20 + years experience in the ministry and the counsel of the Bible, God`s perfect book. Feel free to ask any Biblical or moral questions.
Experience I have been involved in pastoral type counseling for 20+ years. Most of my experience has been with chemical addiction, crisis intervention, and some types of severe mental illness. I have some secular training in those areas as well as a Bible College degree.
Organizations Evangelical Baptist Church
Publications Revival Baptist Chronicles
The Fundamental Baptist Voice
Education/Credentials BS in Bible from Baptist Bible College in CLarks Summit PA
Various training seminars in, Co-occuring disorders, treatment of those who have been sexually abused, and Solution Focused Therapy.
Question Hi,
I am... confused. Being that I am a Christian, I try all the time to be free of sin, as best I can. Especially those that are very "prominent" sins. I am 14 and having problems with masturbation and adultery. I have, for the past 1.5 years, have thought that masturbation was a way to stop myself from committing adultery, even with the pressures of modern life, in which, everything has a "sex-label" on it. I have read your other response to this question, but it didn't answer what I needed to know, entirely. So I ask you now:
1. Is a masturbation a sin, even though we are supposed to follow nothing beyond what is written,in the Bible, even though it may be interpreted in one person's own "Mind's Eye?"
2. What is considered lustful?
3. If you are thinking about a girl,or looking at a picture, and masturbating, but you don't imagine yourself having sexual intercourse with her, does it still count as a sexual fantasy? Oh, and her clothes are on.
4. Can I be forgiven?
5. Being that God created us, wouldn't He, since being all knowing, know that we would masturbate, and then not have it included in the Bible?
6. I have read that masturbation was okay, for the lonely person, as something temporary, up until the point, said person, finds a husband/wife.
Now I hope you, distinctly, see where I am coming from. I am very worried and very confused on what to do, so much so, that it is driving me to the point of constant mental anxiety. I pray so, very, very, very, very, very, much, that I will just be helped and lead on the correct path to righteousness, and live my life by God. I have been following up on this for a long time now and many people have so many opinions that it is making me feel like my head is going explode. Some tell me it is right, and natural, and not in the bible as some type of sin, and others tell me to repent... I repent naturally, everyday, just in case I have committed any sin, that I may not have been aware of. Please help my mind to settle and please look at this from all approaches, just so that I may once again be at rest.
---Grateful and hoping.
P.S. I tried to keep this as professional as I could and looking for the best possible phrases, and words, to use, so if this still comes across as "foul" or "immature", I apologize in advance.
Answer Hello Robert,
Thank you for this very clear and appropriate question. You have no need to be ashamed of your question, you worded it very well. I am very sorry for my late response to such a good question. I will try to answer these many questions one at a time, but I cannot take the time to give very detailed answers to all of them.
1. Is a masturbation a sin, even though we are supposed to follow nothing beyond what is written,in the Bible, even though it may be interpreted in one person's own "Mind's Eye?"
We know that the only sex that is allowed is sex within the marriage. Masturbation is sex with yourself therefore sex outside of marriage.
Hebrews 13:4
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
2. What is considered lustful?
Sinful lust is a physical desire that demands to be fulfilled outside the parameters of God's will./ One could lust for food... We have a natural desire to eat, but if you eat to the point of gluttony, then this natural desire for food has become sinful lust. Lust for sex is the same. We have a natural desire for sex by God's design, but we are not designed to fulfill that lust before marriage... when we do, then perversion comes.
James 1:14-16
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
3. If you are thinking about a girl,or looking at a picture, and masturbating, but you don't imagine yourself having sexual intercourse with her, does it still count as a sexual fantasy? Oh, and her clothes are on.
The word for fornication (sex outside of marriage) is pornea, then same word we get pornography from. Now we know that there are many pictures that are considered porn that do not picture actual intercourse... the same goes for lust... if it is sexual in nature (help you have an orgasm when you masturbate) then it is lust unless it if fulfilled within the marriage bonds.
4. Can I be forgiven?
Yes
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
5. Being that God created us, wouldn't He, since being all knowing, know that we would masturbate, and then not have it included in the Bible?
Jesus was clear to say that it was not only the act of adultry or fornication, it was also the thought behind it... therefore He did talk about masturbation but did not use the word.
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.
It is interesting that Jesus talked about your eyes offending (you use your eyes to look at porn or women) and your right hand offending you.... now what do you think Jesus was concerned about your right hand doing???
6. I have read that masturbation was okay, for the lonely person, as something temporary, up until the point, said person, finds a husband/wife.
I am sure that a lot of people have a lot of different oppinions, but what matters is what you see the BIBLE saying.
I hope that I have answered these questions in a way that will help you. I am very sorry about my slow response.
