Let us begin with a critical fact: nowhere in Scripture is the physical act of masturbation specifically named or directly condemned. It is not found among the explicit sexual sins listed in the law, nor in the New Testament epistles. But that does not mean the Word of God is silent on the matter of sexual purity, self-control, or the intentions of the heart.
The Closest Passage: The Case of Onan (Genesis 38:8–10)
Some have tried to use the account of Onan to condemn masturbation:
“And Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.’ But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He killed him also.”
But Onan’s sin was not masturbation. It was willful disobedience to God’s law of levirate marriage. He used Tamar for pleasure while actively refusing to fulfill his covenant responsibility. His sin was about rebellion and selfishness, not solitary sexual activity.
Lust and the Heart: What Jesus Taught
Even though masturbation is not named, the driving force behind it almost always involves lustful thoughts. That brings us directly to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:27–28:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Masturbation is rarely, if ever, an act divorced from fantasy. If it is born of lust, then it becomes part of what Jesus condemns—a heart-level sin. The Lord does not merely judge outward acts, but inward desires and intentions.
The Principle of Glorifying God in All Things
Here is where the Word gives us strong direction. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
And in Romans 14:23:
“But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”
If you cannot in full confidence say, “I am doing this to the glory of God,” then it is sin for you. That’s not legalism—that’s holiness. The bar is not “does the Bible forbid this,” but “can I do this in faith, with a pure heart, unto the Lord?”
The Fruits of the Flesh vs. The Fruits of the Spirit
In Galatians 5:19–21, Paul lists the works of the flesh:
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…”
And in 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5, he writes:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
Masturbation often trains the body to pursue pleasure without self-control and apart from God’s design for sexual expression, which is marriage (Hebrews 13:4). This weakens the conscience, distorts desire, and feeds lust rather than crucifying it.
We Are Called to Be Set Apart
In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
And in 1 Corinthians 6:18–20, he says:
“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body… you are not your own. For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Even if something is not explicitly condemned, if it defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit or brings shame instead of glory, it should be laid aside.
My Final Thoughts
The Bible does not name masturbation as a sin, but it gives us clear boundaries for purity, holiness, and the glorifying of God in body and spirit. Masturbation, especially when tied to lust or pornography, does not meet that standard. If you can’t say, “I am doing this with a clear conscience before the Lord,” then it should be repented of. We are not called to ask, “How close can I get to the line?” but “How can I be holy as He is holy?”
Crucify the flesh. Flee lust. Pursue holiness. And remember, freedom comes not in the absence of struggle, but in the presence of the Spirit who strengthens you to walk in righteousness.
