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NASB | 1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. |
Bible Question: I would like to know if being celibate, is it wrong to masturbate? I have searched the word and can't find any specifics and do not want to commit the sin of omission just to do what the flesh wants! Please someone answer this for me |
Bible Answer: Dear Charlene, you spoke of not wanting to commit a sin of omission; really, the context of your sentence calls for the word "commission." A sin of omission is failure to do something that one clearly ought to do. One of commission is doing something that the Bible proscribes (forbids, prohibits). Now we come to your question on the subject of masturbation: Is it a sin? The Bible does not speak directly on this subject. Scripture does teach that the physical act of sex is something God ordained for the marriage bed, the union of one man and one woman in holy matrimony. It speaks against pre- and extra-marital heterosexual union, homosexuality, incest, and bestiality. The purely biological function of sex is for procreation. But God also ordained that husband and wife are to become 'one flesh' and I believe that has two facets: both spiritual and physical unions that married couples achieve in the intimacy of the marriage bed. So where does self-gratification fit in God's scheme of things? That is a question for which I cannot cite a specific chapter and verse because there really is none. But looking at the overview of what the Bible sanctions as undefiled sexual activity, it is clearly limited to sex within marriage. This is as close as I can come and the best I can do to answer your question. ...... If you would like to read what some other forum members have had to say on this difficult and somewhat controversial question, please use Search and type in masturbation. You might also try typing in masterbation, since the word has been misspelled quite a number of times on the forum. God bless. --Hank |