What Is Masturbation?
Masturbation is the act of self-stimulation to achieve sexual arousal or orgasm. It’s a common experience for both males and females, yet it remains a sensitive and often controversial topic, especially within Christian communities.
A Personal Moment That Sparked Deeper Thought
One hot October afternoon in Lusaka, while cooling off under a mango tree, a moment of silence between me and a friend led to an unexpected question:
“What would you do if you were caught masturbating?”
His response? A shy giggle followed by, “I’d just tell them I’m moisturizing.”
That funny yet awkward answer got me thinking, how many Christians label masturbation as a sin without ever deeply studying the topic or grounding their belief in scripture?
Is Masturbation a Sin According to the Bible?
Interestingly, the Bible does not explicitly mention masturbation. However, as believers, we are called to live by principles of purity, self-control, and holiness. So while there might not be a direct verse that says, “Do not masturbate,” there are scriptures that guide us toward living a sexually pure life.
Scriptures That Shape the Christian View on Masturbation
- Genesis 1:28 – “Be fruitful and multiply.”
God’s design for sexuality is rooted in marital intimacy, not solo sexual gratification. - Song of Solomon 3:5 – “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”
Love and sexual desire were meant to flourish within the safe container of marriage. - Ephesians 5:31-33 – “The two shall become one flesh.”
Sexual unity is part of God’s design for husband and wife, not self-focused pleasure.
The Emotional and Spiritual Consequences of Masturbation
1. It Often Comes with Guilt
Studies show that about 90% of Christian teens have masturbated before the age of 21, and many report experiencing guilt afterwards. This guilt can mirror the emotional turmoil people feel after losing their virginity outside of marriage.
2. It Can Lead to Pornography Addiction
For many, masturbation is accompanied by pornography or lustful thoughts. Over time, this can become a dependency that distances us from God.
Let’s be honest, how many people pray or listen to worship music before masturbating? Exactly!! because It feels disconnected from our walk with Christ for a reason.
But hey, if you manage to do so then, congratulations my Friend!! you are a LEGEND!!!! Lol
3. It Distorts God’s Purpose for Sex
God created oxytocin, a hormone released during orgasm, to bond people together in love. But when we train our minds to seek this bond through masturbation, we replace intimacy with isolation.
John 10:10 warns us that the enemy comes to “steal, kill, and destroy”, including God’s design for love and purity.
Recommended Books to Read : Masturbation: what the Bible says about it
Overcoming the cycle of Addiction
Masturbation’s Impact on Your Spiritual Life
- Drives you away from intimacy with God
(James 4:7) reminds us to resist the devil. Lustful thoughts often lead to actions that don’t glorify God. - Reduces your desire for real human connection
Porn and self-pleasure can cause us to objectify others instead of honoring them as God’s creation. - Creates dependency
(Matthew 6:24) — “You cannot serve two masters.” Pleasure shouldn’t become your god. - Leads to guilt and shame
Many people report lower self-worth and question whether God still loves or wants to use them.
Freedom Through Christ
Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
Masturbation can feel like bondage, but there is freedom in Christ. Lust is a battle many face, but you are not alone, and you are not without help.
Practical Steps to Overcome Masturbation
- Fill your mind with Godly content
Listen to podcasts, read the Bible, and engage in spiritual books that guide your thoughts toward Christ. - Join church groups
Bible studies and fellowships create safe spaces for growth and accountability. - Build strong, Godly friendships
Surround yourself with people who want to see you thrive spiritually. - Maintain an active prayer life
The more you invite God into your life daily, the stronger your resistance to temptation becomes.
Ask Yourself These Questions
- Does this act bring glory to God?
- Does it strengthen my walk with Him?
- Would I be proud to tell someone about it?
- Do I feel peace or guilt afterwards?
If your answers bring conviction, don’t ignore it. Let it lead you closer to Christ.
Seek First the Kingdom
Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Whatever choice you make, let it come from a place of honesty and a desire to honor God. Masturbation may feel harmless, but it has the power to pull you away from the beautiful purpose God has for your life.
Be blessed, and never forget you are deeply loved, seen By God, and valued.
Also Read: How to Be a Proverbs 31 Woman in Your Single Season
I am severely disabled from working, due to both mental, and physical, disabilities. I can no longer manage my own daily activities and I reside in a special assisted living facility, where I must have 24/7 care.
I am unmarried and deal with guilt and shame before our Lord due to masturbation, from imagining women caregivers. Even while committing the act I know that our God is watching. Apart from this, I see masturbation as a perpetual and unforgivable act before God until my next prescribed confession before a priest who is defined as the infallible God in the flesh. The mere human priest is the only way to salvation for what Catholics call mortal sin. Masturbation falls into this category. I just recently departed from the Catholic church, and I’ve been trying to avoid masturbation on my own since childhood, age 4 to be exact-my mom took me to bed with her at times when my dad was away. as you, the reader likely knows, one does not have to repent until the priest hears and pardons sins based on his own human perception of what payment/penance should be. The confession prayer goes like this, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Bless me Father (the priest, not God), for I have sinned, it has been about…6 months, e.g., since my last confession. The following are my sins. For me, and according to the priest’s judgment masturbation has been my only single mortal sin, in between confessions. The priest will give an allotted prescription of certain prayers. Then, the final prayer of the penitent is the Act of contrition, and goes like this: oh my God, I’m heartily sorry for having offended thee. I detest all of my sin because of thy just punishment, but most of all because I have offended thee o my God, who is all deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the nearest occasion of sin. After He has given you certain Catholic prayers to pray to obtain absolution. You are not afforded with any other options, you leave the confessional and rattle off your penance out the door and into your car, feeling as if your soul has been made clean from the stain of your sin. The temptation to masturbate returns soon, but you know you are okay to do it until your next time before an ordained priest a year or so later. He does not even offer you any advice, from a scriptural standpoint. The Scriptural truth dictates to us that, narrow is the only path to heaven, and there are few who find it; widespread is the gate that leads to perdition, and that there are many souls who enter therein. Any way, what I’m trying to say is that one must repent in absolute sorrow before our Lord in heaven, not before a priest. Back to the “mortal” sin of masturbation, millions of souls end up in hellfire by giving into lustful thoughts, which lead to sin, and from sin, to death of the soul in hell.
Please do give me some reasonable and sound advice directly from the Holy Word of God?
Thank you.
God bless!
Hey Joseph, first of all thank you and it is very brave of you to share your story as others can learn from it.. firstly it’s important to know that the bible tells us in Romans 8vs 38-39 that nothing we do can separate us from the Love of God, the fact that you realize that it is a sin lets me know that you have the Holy Spirit in you and He has allowed you feel the conviction that you need to make better steps in your life… what does that Look like? reading your Word everyday because the bible tells us in James 4 vs 7 that if we resist the devil he will flee from us so by replacing the negative thoughts with scripture really helps because God’s word is truth and the bible tells in the book of John 8vs 32 that you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.. Only Jesus can set you free as the chapter goes on to tell us that whom the son sets free is free indeed (John 8 vs 36)…So, don’t focus on your struggles, your main focus should be on God and His word and He will transform you and help you Change your habits… Also during your prayer time stand on the scripture Mathew 8 vs 17 and meditate on it constantly because He did already take away our infirmities on that cross and when you feel guilty about your actions remember that you are already forgiving because there is no condemnation for anyone who belongs in Christ Romans 8 vs 1… you are already forgiven and God Loves and Cares for you… I will be praying for you and hopefully you will come out of this victorious in the name of Jesus. Stay blessed