Last updated on September 22, 2020
Question:
Every time I go to school I have to keep my hands in my pockets to hold my underwear away. I don’t want to; it just feels uncomfortable. If I sit down my organs touch the chair or bed. I’m too scared to even touch my penis. My parents don’t feel that masturbating is a sin because it’s a man-made rule. I cried last night and was up till 1:00 am. My mom said kids will catch on and bully me. It’s true, they will. I am so horrified. My dad says masturbation is normal, but my church’s priest either said don’t worry or it’s a sin. I don’t masturbate. I got bigger boxers, but it feels worse. I even cut my boxers on the elastic to loosen them. Please help. I’m desperate. I can’t even do karate or play soccer, football, or basketball with my best friends before school.
Answer:
There seem to be at least two issues going on simultaneously. One is discomfort from the feelings of your genitals. May I ask if you are uncircumcised? That might explain some of the discomforts in part. The second seems to be a fear of erections and possibly ejaculating. A part is not understanding how your body works and another part is not understanding what constitutes sin.
Let’s start with the sin part. You, I, nor religious leaders determine what is sinful or not. That is something that is solely in the Lord’s hands. “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32). So, if masturbation was sinful, God would indicate that it was wrong somewhere in the Bible. But what we find is that while masturbation is alluded to in the Bible, it is not condemned. See: Is masturbation sinful or not? Read all the references for yourself in your Bible. What is sinful is pornography, but that is doesn’t seem to be the problem here.
The rest I would need to know more about what it is that you fear about yourself. And for that, we need to talk so I can have a better idea of what is going on with you.