Where In The Bible Does It Say Not To Touch Yourself?

Masturbation and sexual self-stimulation have long been controversial topics in Christian tradition. Many believers wonder if the Bible prohibits touching yourself for sexual pleasure. In this comprehensive article, we’ll examine relevant biblical passages and explore the debate around self-stimulation and lust from a scriptural perspective.

If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: There are no direct, explicit biblical passages that forbid masturbation or touching yourself. However, there are verses that have been interpreted as prohibiting lust and sexual immorality in general.

Examining Relevant Passages on Sexual Immorality

Genesis 38 – The Story of Onan

The story of Onan in Genesis 38:6-10 is sometimes used to condemn masturbation. When Onan’s brother died, he was expected to marry his brother’s widow Tamar and raise up offspring for his brother. However, during sex, Onan spilled his semen on the ground to avoid getting Tamar pregnant.

This angered God and Onan was punished with death. However, Onan’s sin was more about refusing to fulfill his duty than simply masturbating. This passage does not directly address masturbation.

Matthew 5:27-30 – Teaching on Adultery and Lust

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus condemned adultery of the heart. He said that lustfully looking at a woman is equivalent to committing adultery. Some interpret this to extend to lustful thoughts and masturbation.

However, the focus of Jesus’ teaching here seems to be about internal purity of heart rather than merely external actions. The call to holiness is about thoughts and attitudes, not just behaviors. But this passage does not directly prohibit masturbation itself.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Instruction to Flee Sexual Immorality

Paul instructed the Corinthian church to flee sexual immorality and glorify God with their bodies. Some see masturbation as a form of sexual immorality. However, the Greek word porneia refers specifically to illicit sexual relations, not mere sexual desire.

The main focus of this passage is honoring God with your body and avoiding uniting it with prostitutes. While excessive masturbation may be considered unwise, this text does not directly condemn the act itself.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – Calling to Control Your Body in Holiness

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to control their own bodies in holiness and honor. This admonition for purity is sometimes understood as prohibiting masturbation. However, the context focuses on honoring your spouse sexually and avoiding lusting after others.

This passage promotes self-control and honoring marriage vows. While masturbation may violate these principles for some, the act itself is not directly forbidden here.

Historical and Theological Perspectives on Masturbation

Views Among Church Fathers and Medieval Theologians

The early church fathers, such as Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Tertullian, generally took a negative view of masturbation and saw it as sinful behavior. They associated it with lust and believed it could lead to sexual immorality.

St. Augustine was also firm in condemning masturbation as “the unclean handling of the organ of generation” (City of God, 14:15). During the medieval period, theologians like Thomas Aquinas continued to view masturbation as “unnatural and sinful” as it went against God’s procreative purpose for sexuality.

Reformers and Puritanical Attitudes Toward Self-Stimulation

The Protestant Reformers largely continued the tradition of viewing masturbation as sinful. Martin Luther denounced it as an example of the “unchastity and filthiness” of human nature (Lectures on Romans). John Calvin called it an “unnatural pollution” (Commentary on Genesis 38:9-10).

The Puritans, with their emphasis on self-restraint and purity, strongly condemned masturbation and sought to prevent it through practices like tying children’s hands in bed.

20th Century Perspectives on Masturbation and Lust

By the early 20th century, some Christian leaders began adopting a more understanding view of masturbation, seeing it as a natural part of human development rather than inherently immoral. Theologian Karl Barth wrote that it could have a legitimate place in human experience if not driven by fantasy or obsession.

Prominent evangelical scholar Lewis Smedes wrote in Sex for Christians that masturbation could be acceptable if used to relieve sexual tension rather than indulge improper desires.

However, figures like John Harvey Kellogg continued to promote masturbation as unhealthy and advocated extreme measures to prevent it. Many evangelical Christians still viewed masturbation as sinful well into the late 20th century due to its association with lust.

Popular works like Every Young Man’s Battle reinforced the belief that lustful thoughts accompanying masturbation were spiritually and psychologically dangerous.

Modern Debates Around Masturbation Within Christianity

Today there is greater openness around sexuality topics like masturbation in many Christian circles. Prominent pastors like Mark Driscoll have suggested it can be morally acceptable in some circumstances.

However, some evangelical groups like Focus on the Family still tend to discourage masturbation due to lingering concerns over its relationship to lust and fantasy.

There are also differences over the ethics of masturbation within marriage versus outside marriage. More progressive Christians tend to argue that mutual masturbation can be a positive part of marital intimacy.

Conservative Christians are more likely to limit approval of masturbation to relieving tension as a single person, believing it detracts from the relational dimension of sex within marriage.

Principled Positions Regarding Masturbation and Lust

Masturbation as Sinful Lust

Some Christians view masturbation as inherently sinful, stemming from lustful desires that should be resisted (1 John 2:16). This lust is seen as contradicting Jesus’ teaching to keep one’s thoughts pure (Matthew 5:28).

There are biblical passages warning against uncleanness and sensuality (Galatians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). From this perspective, masturbation risks indulging fleshly desires in an unhealthy manner, rather than exhibiting self-control.

However, views differ on whether the act itself is sinful or if the lustful thoughts behind it are the main issue. More conservative voices contend any masturbation enables mind-sets and habits at odds with pursuing holiness.

Others believe masturbation can be done in moderation without sinful lust, but this is a difficult balance to strike.

Masturbation as Morally Neutral

Some Christian scholars argue scripture neither clearly condones nor condemns masturbation. Passages warning against sensuality do not directly reference masturbation. And while lust should be resisted, masturbation alone does not necessarily imply sinful lust.

From this alternative view, masturbation is regarded as a morally neutral act, not explicitly forbidden in biblical commands. Motivations and thought patterns matter most. Masturbation with pure mind-sets, without lust or addiction, may not conflict with scriptural values of self-control, righteousness and faithfulness in relationships.

But in practice, completely separating masturbation from sinful lust may prove challenging.

Approaches Focused on Self-Control and Purity

Most churches encourage cultivating both self-control and sexual purity, in alignment with passages like 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Galatians 5:22-23. Even if masturbation itself is not forbidden, habits reinforcing lust can be spiritually unhealthy.

Christians aiming to please God must examine thought patterns and ask God’s help in focusing their sexuality appropriately, whether or not masturbation is involved.

Accountability partnerships, counseling resources, and open communication about sexual ethics and psychology can equip Christians to evaluate motivations and mentalities holistically. Avoiding legalism and promoting spiritual nurturing may better uphold biblical values than dogmatism over masturbation itself.

Conclusion

While the Bible lacks direct prohibitions against masturbation or touching yourself, there are divergent perspectives on self-stimulation within Christianity. The key for believers is to thoughtfully examine scriptural principles around sexual morality.

Rather than dogmatically declaring masturbation universally sinful or permissible, we must each reflect carefully, study scripture, and follow our conscience as we walk in faith and purity before God.