It's easy to believe this. We did it as well. So thats why it's something you don't talk about. It's understood to be ok. If you feel bad for it or have any second thoughts, are you not a true guy? Others seem not to have a problem with it.
It's true, some don't feel masturbation is not a problem (or won't admit it). But for true Christian men, it's a struggle. I do admit I know guys who do not struggle with it because they don't do it. I know that not every man has this problem. Yet I also know many more men who do struggle than those who don't.
If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Then you must believe in His word so please don't glaze over these few (of many) verses that teach on sexual immorality:
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock... And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." Matt 7:24,26
"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matt 5:28
"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming." Colossians 3:5-6
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God... For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 7-8
Do these not speak for themselves? Is the Bible not clear on this issue? It's not! It's perfectly clear what God calls for us to do as Godly men.
Is it easy? NO WAY! In fact, it is impossible to do on our own. Only by God's grace are we given the power from him to overcome. It's a fight we may have to challenge ourselves everyday for the rest of our lives. But remember, it is better to fight it everyday than to give up and let it go.
For those of you with significant others of the opposite sex (girlfriend or fiance), this next section is for you:
Is it ok to masturbate over someone you really like? I mean, technically she is yours and your not lusting after another woman; right? WRONG! The Bible is pretty clear on this as well.
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Gen 2:24
You are not married yet, sexual relations is only for a marriage relationship, you are taking from her something you cannot take. Her sexuality does not belong to you yet, therefore you cannot lust after her sexuality to pleasure yourself. It is not yours to take. Remember, she is still someone's daughter and not your wife. You may not even marry her, therefore your taking from her what she is saving for her husband. Would you want another guy to masturbate about your future wife? Rape her with his mind? I don't.
For those of you with wives:
There are those who argue that it is ok for men who are married to masturbate over their wives if their wives are not wanting it. They do belong to you now, their bodies are there for your sexual gratification. That is how God intended it.
At the same time, your marriage to your wife is a partnership. Your body belongs to her and hers belongs to you. It's again not your right to take what is not yours. Your sexuality now belongs to your wife. If you masturbate, you are taking away from her what is rightfully hers. You are saying by your actions "you do not fulfill my sexuality, therefore I will fill it myself."
Even if you are separated by distance on a trip of some sort. Your sexuality is still not yours to take care of. Sexual relations are made for a husband and a wife to share, not take care of separately. If you masturbate, sexual relations becomes nothing more than getting your own satisfaction. Your gratification becomes an idol. Your wife becomes nothing more than an object. It becomes all about you. Your sexuality is supposed to be all about your wife, and by pleasing her you please yourself as well. When we take it into our own hands (no pun intended) we are doing something to please ourselves. We become the object of satisfaction. It becomes nothing more than any other drug out there.
This is the same reason why having sex with your wife is not about satisfying yourself. It's about sharing a sexual relationship between the two of you. It's made for two people (within marriage) to share with eachother. When you do it yourself, your making IT the priority, not your relationship with your wife.
If you believe you have a good argument against and of this, please, go ahead and email us. We are open to debate.