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| Q: | What does the Bible and WELS say about masturbation? | ||||||
| A: | The Bible does not directly address this issue. It does state the purposes for which God created sexuality: the sexual companionship of husband and wife in a "one flesh" relationship of one man and one woman and the procreation of children within marriage. It also states that lust in the heart is adultery (Matthew 5:28). We, therefore, warn against masturbation as a sin which distorts the purposes for which God created sexuality and usually is closely joined with sinful sexual fantasies. Many theologians, particularly among the Reformed, say that acts such as masturbation cannot be sin if there is an element of "compulsion" involved and the person "can't help it." This is clearly false since Scripture makes clear that all acts, words, and thoughts contrary to God's law are sin, even if they have become a habit or compulsion. In the case of such sins, the person should recognize that these acts are sinful, seek God's forgiveness, struggle with his help to overcome the sin, and avoid things which increase the temptation, such as pornographic entertainment. The person who is struggling to overcome the sin and penitently coming to God for forgiveness should be confident of forgiveness. Romans 7:14-25 describes the hold which this and other sins may have on a Christian and our need to turn to God for forgiveness and for help in defeating sin. | ||||||
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