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Anst -> RE: Masturbation - One Stop Thread (10/17/2007 12:35:04 AM)
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quote:
First of all, the Bible doesn't say that it is unlawful.
I stand corrected (Ecclesiastes 7:5).
However, although the Bible may not be explicit in declaring masturbation unlawful--ie there is no definitive evidence prohibiting it as wrong, immoral or sinful--it is my belief that the Bible is implicit in its disapproval of the deed--ie there is circumstantial evidence.
1) Lust is condemned throughout the Scriptures--and this includes sexual lust (Exodus 20:17; 2 Samuel 11:2-4; Romans 6:12; 7:7; 13:14; Galatians 5:16; Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; James 1:14-15; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:16). Even though many professing Christians claim to masturbate without "lust" (eg viewing pornography or thinking sexually explicit thoughts) I believe that this still doesn’t make it acceptable--most of my own past experience with masturbation has been simply resorting to it to release the tension in a way that doesn’t employ pornography or thinking sexually immoral thoughts--anymore than snacking on "junk" foods when I’m supposed to save my appetite for the wholesome food my spouse is cooking up for me. Like the apostle Paul wrote: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not" (1 Corinthians 10:23 cf 6:12). In other words, just because I can, doesn't mean I should.
2) It is revealed in Bible Law that ejaculation via sex (Leviticus 15:16-18; cf Exodus 19:10-15) or nocturnal emissions (Deuteronomy 23:10-11) results in "uncleanness" or "contamination", which is spoken against in the NT as well (Romans 1:24; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Peter 2:10). The reason for this I believe is stated in Deuteronomy 23:14: "For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing [margin: "nakedness of anything"--Hebrew ervah] in thee, and turn away from thee."
3) Although I am inclined to agree somewhat with those that claim that since Bible Law doesn’t refer to ejaculation in a "case scenario" involving masturbation perse it would imply that it is not wrong otherwise God would surely have included it in his revelation as he gave provision for other issues (eg sex, nocturnal emissions, menstruation, human excrement, etc). However, the reasons stipulated above (see 1 and 2) is evidence enough in my opinion against masturbation as well as the primary fact that He makes reference to "nocturnal emissions" or "wet dreams" in Deuteronomy 23:10-11. If He went so far as to illustrate a "wet dream" scenario why not provide a clear-cut case of "masturbation"? The implication is because he does not approve of masturbation. This can be extended to other forms of sex not mentioned in the Bible, but undoubtedly forbidden on principle alone (eg sex with machines, sex with dolls or other objects that mock the institution of sex and marriage).
4) Furthermore, there does seem to be an apt description of masturbation in Ezekiel 16:17 (cf Jeremiah 3:9) and in that case it is clearly revealed as immoral and equated with prostitution, harlotry or whoredom which is forbidden in Bible Law (Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17-18; cf Genesis 38:24). In conjunction with most forms of sexual immorality, especially masturbation, is pornography, which is spoken against (Numbers 33:52; Ezekiel 23:14-17).
Either way whoever is right in this debate I hope and pray that God speeds the day when we all finally "shall see eye to eye" (Isaiah 52:8).
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Secondly, I think there is a distinction to be made between masturbation and the sins you listed above. Sexuality is a natural part of us. We were made to have sex. We have an organ and system of our body designed for that purpose. People are sexual beings. That's the way it is. Our bodies weren't made to murder, steal, etc. People can commit those sins, but their bodies weren't designed for that purpose. Masturbation is a natural response to our sexual selves.
Over the years, in many forums, I've seen Christians asking for help in dealing with their masturbation "sin". I can't recall seeing anyone asking for help overcoming their murdering problem or stealing habit or lying addiction. So why is it that people genuinely striving to please God continually fall into this "sexual sin"? Because sexuality is part of who we are. We can't escape it.
How many Christians do you know that have the desire to steal, lie, cheat, or kill? I don't personally know any that desire that. However, I'll bet that most, if not all, Christians have, or have had, some sexual desire. Why? Because it's a NATURAL part of who we are.
It is true that God didn’t create mankind with the purpose of sin in mind, but sin we do in our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions--and this extends especially to Christians who earnestly struggle against the "lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16)--in other words passions, pleasures, possessions and positions--by resisting the pulls of the flesh in whatever form they may take (eg idolatry, blasphemy, fornication, murder, druggery, stealing, lying, covetousness, etc). And though our predicament overwhelms us at times it shouldn’t hinder us in our spiritual walk (Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:17; James 1:2-4).
However, resorting to "nature" to sanction sexual sin or any other type of sin is no less a fallacy in my opinion since we are all "natural" born sinners by our proclivities towards sin that knows no bounds--some are born murderers, others idolaters or adulterers or druggists or sodomites or liars or stealers etc (James 1:14-15). We all need God’s help to overcome our sinful nature whether we admit it or remain in denial. But, to God sin is sin, no matter what form it takes. And how do we define sin? By God’s Word, which reveals, "sin is the transgression of the law" or "lawlessness" (1 John 3:4; 5:17; cf James 4:17). Further, it is my opinion that the whole Bible (both OT and NT) is all about Law--which reveals His holy, righteous nature--and God’s dealings with his wayward people (eg Even the name "Israel" given to Jacob means "God Rules"). And God’s Word--as "Lawgiver" (Isaiah 33:22)--is "Law" and reveals what is right and wrong as the apostle Paul wrote: "But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:8-10; cf Romans 3:20; 4:15; 7:7). Thus, like Adam and Eve we all have the power or freedom to choose and choose we must! To obey God or disobey Him. For ultimately we are all the products of our choices--both poor and wise. We all can give and receive instruction about a given matter, but in the end we are all responsible for the choices we make--both individually and nationally--and God will forever hold us accountable (Deuteronomy 30:19; cf Joshua 24:15). For in reality the choice is never between "law vs no law", but whose law? God’s or man’s? And God only asks that we govern, discipline or control ourselves unlike our modern, overregulated states under which we sigh--for the less internal or self-control we have, will inexorably lead to more rigorous external controls. As it has been attributed to James Madison the "Father of the Constitution":
"We have staked the whole of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
I mean who are we trying to fool? If I believe masturbation is morally wrong and sinful, and then claim that I am powerless to overcome it is in itself a choice now isn’t it?--a poor choice in my opinion (Romans 14:23). For God promises not to leave us helpless! "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7). Of course, there will be a cost (Luke 14:28)--a price to pay--but it will be worth it in the end (Proverbs 24:10; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 5:8). And if I’m at all serious about overcoming this addiction--and any sinful behaviour--I have to start here, in the mind. Just like the tagline for Spiderman 3 goes "The greatest battle lies within"! Even the apostle Paul described the life-long struggle of self-discipline or self-government in terms of a contest:
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Like CS Lewis wrote in "The Great Divorce" (1946):
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened."
Now having said all of that I am open to correction and of late I have read a fascinating account of sex in the Bible called And Adam Knew Eve: A Dictionary of Sex in the Bible by Ronald L Ecker and highly recommend it. From it I learned that there exists Biblical "euphemisms" throughout the Bible. One of these is the English word "feet", which is a euphemism for genitalia in the OT! I have done my own research in this area and come across the following points (NB 1-4 are based on Ecker’s book, but 5-6 are based on my own online research):
1) The prophet Isaiah prophesied to King Ahaz of Israel that the Assyrians would shave off their pubic hair--"the hair of the feet" (Isaiah 7:20.)
2) When Zipporah was forced to circumcise her son because Moses had failed to, she holds his severed foreskin to Moses' "feet" (Exodus 4:25) or genitals and declares "Surely a bloody husband art thou to me…A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision" (vv. 25-26).
3) When Rabshakeh, a representative of the Assyrian King Sennacherib, threatens King Hezekiah and the Judahites he uses the phrase "water of the feet", translated "****" in 2 Kings 18:27 and Isaiah 36:12. This is made all the more interesting when it is learned that "water" can symbolize sperm in the Bible (eg Isaiah 48:1; cf Numbers 24:7; Psalms 68:26).
4) The phrase "uncover the feet" used in the episode between Ruth and Boaz, it is claimed, means Ruth uncovered Boaz’s genitals in a bold way to propose marriage (Ruth 3:4; 3:7-8, 14). At the same time she asks him to "spread therefore thy skirt [or coverlet] over thine handmaid" (Ruth 3:9 cf Ezekiel 16:8), which is another way of saying "take me to thy couch as thy wife", which implies sexual intercourse. And in Ecker’s book he notes: "Whether sexual intercourse takes place on the threshing floor is not stated, though Amy-Jill Levine notes that threshing floors were associated with sexual activity (see Hosea: "Upon Every Cornfloor"), and that the Hebrew word for skirt (kanap) can also connote genitals, reinforcing the sexual subtext."
5) On the other hand it has been suggested by some that "cover the feet" in Judges 3:24 and 1 Samuel 24:3 neither refers to defecation nor to urination, which is the traditional interpretation, but masturbation. I am more inclined to believe the former interpretation (ie defecation or urination), but the possibility remains.
6) However, 1 Samuel 21:13 is a bit more credible regarding a possible description of masturbation: "And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard." This verse it has been claimed actually means in Hebrew that David in pretence of being mad masturbated in front of King Achish since the phrase translated into English as "in their hands" comes from Hebrew yad (Strongs 3027) and can have a phallic meaning inferring "artificial hands or handles or things that resemble handles" or "which denote members of the body".
Any thoughts on these points are welcomed just email me.
And now on a personal note in my own struggle against masturbation, I have reconciled myself to the fact that I have to accept my life--excruciatingly boring as it might get at times!--without resorting to masturbation as a means of relief. It has been said that boredom is the "catalyst for creativity" so I guess that I just have to have my creative abilities guided to more rewarding activities to fill up the boredom or counteract the stresses of daily life. And having never "played" this "game" until I was 27 years of age--4 years ago now--I believe that it should be easier for me to draw on memories of what my life was like without it. I understand that it will be more challenging for those that can’t remember what their lives were like without masturbation, but that only means it will be difficult not that it will be impossible!
I have also found helpful Joshua Harris’ excerpted article "Self-centered Sex" (from his book Not Even a Hint) at www.familylife.com/articles/article_detail.asp?id=514--especially his candid advice about playing the "I’ll touch myself but won’t climax" game, which he counters by advocating "Flee temptation by not touching yourself at all"!--and Jeff Maitlen’s "Is it a sin to masturbate?" at www.crosswalk.com/988042/ and Mike Genung’s "Getting to the roots of the porn epidemic" at www.crosswalk.com/1457170 So I encourage you to check them out if you haven't already done so. Also, a few songs whose lyrics have made a positive impact in my own resistance against masturbation are Foo Fighers "Best of You"; Linkin Park "What I’ve Done" and notably Rush of Fools "Undone"--so give them a listen!
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