1. One of the main purposes of sex (male & female) is for companionship. (Specific = in a marriage relationship) God said that it was not good for man to live alone. "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). Masturbation does not promote companionship.
2. One primarily purpose for intimate sexual relations is multiplication (or reproduction). The first commandment in all Scripture is "Be fruitful and multiply." "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:28). Masturbation prohibits procreation.
3. God made men and women with family role responsibilities (male and female). The husband was to be head of the home and care for the wife. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" (Ephesians 5:23-26). "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" (I Corinthians 11:3). Masturbation says, "I am my own head."
4. Another purpose of sex (male & female) is to create an unique family unit (husband and wife). "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Masturbation is self-centered.
5. An important purpose of intimate sexual relations is to give pleasure to the spouse (to bring gratification to the other). "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency" (I Corinthians 7:1-5). Masturbation brings self gratification.
6. In marriage the two (male & female) are to have a one flesh relationship. "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:4-6). "And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh" (Mark 10:8). "What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh" (I Corinthians 6:16). Masturbation does not promote the one flesh relationship between a husband and wife.
7. Sexual desires for the opposite sex are natural. "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature" (Romans 1:26). Often masturbation and homosexuality or sodomy are linked.
8. Any intimate sexual relations outside of marriage is a sin against oneself (self-destructive). "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body" (I Corinthians 6:18). "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Masturbation seems to fit here.
9. We are to flee youthful lust. "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (II Timothy 2:22). Masturbation is often tied to youthful lusts.
10. We are not to have control over our own body in marriage. "The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife" (I Corinthians 7:4). Masturbation is having power over one's own body.
ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH MASTURBATION:
1. Most always people use pornography, a fetish (something pertaining to the opposite sex = example: underclothing), or mental imagery as an aid in masturbation. Yet, lusting with the eyes is committing adultery (Matthew 5:28). Also, we are to cast down vain imaginations and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5). It is not uncommon that when a fetish is used in masturbation, that it may be required in marriage.
2. Sexual stimulation through masturbation before or during marriage may produce less gratification in the marriage relationship.
3. Sexual stimulation through masturbation may easily lead one to seek sexual gratification outside the marriage relation.
4. If stimulation (masturbation) is someone's goal, why not have someone of the same sex stimulate you? Of course, the same sex stimulation is considered to be homosexuality! (Romans 1:26-27)
5. Masturbation often becomes a substitute addiction replacing the natural sexual relations in marriage.
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