Last updated on June 25, 2025
Question:
Does the Bible’s silence on the topic of masturbation leave people feeling uncertain about whether it is sinful or not? And does this silence also lead some to believe that it’s acceptable to do?
I personally believe masturbation is sinful, but I don’t think it could be a sin for other Christians, and I think that is okay. Am I contradictory when I claim that it is sinful for me and not others?
Answer:
“The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:22-23).
The things we choose to do must stem from our conviction that they are right. Hopefully, we are not convinced that something sinful is alright to do. But if we are not convinced something is right, we should not do it. Others may come to a different conclusion, and hopefully, we will come to an agreement over time and through further study.
There are three basic ways to determine what God is telling us. They are the same way we communicate with each other. There are things told to us (commands), things shown to us (examples), and things implied (necessary inferences). See:
Masturbation falls in the realm of inference. The laws in the Old Testament labeled ejaculation as unclean. It speaks of ejaculating during sex and ejaculating by yourself. It is implied that the latter would include wet dreams and masturbation. Since masturbation is covered by Old Testament law and is not called sinful, I conclude that it is not forbidden, though it does invoke rules for dealing with semen after it is ejaculated.
No one has to masturbate, and if you are not sure that it is safe, then there is nothing wrong with deciding you won’t do it. Understanding that others may come to a different conclusion is a sign of maturity.