Masturbation: Can the Bible’s Silence be Approval?
The Problem with Reading Into Silence While the Bible does not explicitly mention or condemn the specific act of masturbation, we must be careful about interpreting its silence as implied approval. Scripture has much to say about the broader context of sexual purity, lust, and honouring God with our bodies—and minds—that should inform our perspectives.
God’s Design for Sexuality From the beginning, God’s intent for sex was clear—the unifying of one man and one woman within the covenant of marriage. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Any sexual expression outside of this design violates God’s purpose for intimacy being the unique bond of holy matrimony. Masturbation, an intentional solitary act, cannot be reconciled with this created order.
Lust and Sexual Immorality Christ made it unambiguous that engaging in sexual desire outside of marriage constitutes sin. “You have heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Masturbation, nearly universally accompanied by intentional lurid thoughts and influences, represents a form of sexually immoral lust originating from the heart. It fails Jesus’ radical sexual ethics.
Flee From Sexual Immorality The apostle Paul’s instructions leave no middle ground for sensual indulgence—”Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Lest any believer rationalizes or treats sexual sin lightly, he issues the sternest of warnings—immorality defies God by sinning against one’s own body, the temple of the Holy Spirit (v.18-19). Masturbation unequivocally qualifies as a sexually immoral practice from which we must flee.
Maintain Control of the Body Paul’s subsequent teaching powerfully rebukes any “God didn’t forbid this” justification. “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (1 Corinthians 6:13). God has given us the ability to exercise self-control over carnal desires. Masturbation represents a relinquishing of control of the body to illicit cravings of the flesh, which is displeasing to God.
Live By the Spirit The Bible presents two warring streams vying for control—the desires of the flesh vs the desires of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). Those who indulge sensual passions are living by the flesh and cannot inherit God’s kingdom (v.19-21). Conversely, we are commanded to “walk by the Spirit” (v.16), ruthlessly slaying fleshly impulses in pursuit of holiness. Masturbation is a clear manifestation of catering to the flesh which Christians must strive to crucify (Galatians 5:24).
Masturbation: Can the Bible’s Silence be Seen as Approval? While Scripture may be “silent” on masturbation, it is anything but ambiguous regarding illicit sexual expression and control of our bodies. Intimacy is reserved solely for marriages between one man and one woman. Self-indulgent sensual acts intrinsically linked with lustful thoughts objectively represent sexual immorality from which believers must flee. Through the Spirit’s power, we gain mastery over carnal tendencies in our pursuit of Christ-like purity. While avoiding explicit prohibitions, the totality of biblical teaching on godly sexuality leaves no room for masturbatory expression. It violates the sanctity of God’s design for marital intimacy and stems from the sensual lusts of the flesh Christians are called to put to death. True joy and freedom are found in walking by the Spirit, not in self-gratification.
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