Chinese traditionally don't talk about "sex." Neither do Christians. For this reason, some sexual problems can't be solved because people are too embarrassed to talk about them, such as masturbation. However, can Christians masturbate?
An article on the WeChat subscription account "Faith Council" by Zhang Wei, first published on "Together for Church" talks about this matter. He believes that masturbation is against God's purpose in creating sex. Masturbation is for orgasms through stimulating oneself, or it can be called a sex life for one person, explained Zhang. However, the Bible says that sex is a relationship between husband and wife and is made solely for marriage. (Genesis 2)
The author quoted from Paul's letters to support his view. The Bible says that the married couple's bodies belongs to each other.
"The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife." (1 Corinthians 7:4 )
Therefore, everyone's body belongs to their husband or wife, even though they haven't met yet. When a person commits adultery in his or her mind, he or she violates the body as well as the future spouse. More than anything else, it's a violation against God, who created the body.
Another proof from the author is that many people feel guilty after masturbation. Their conscience is accused and they lose their peace. This is because God created sex to be between two people of the opposite sex. The author thinks that people fantasize about another person while masturbating. This clearly violates what Jesus said,
"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)
The third proof is that the Bible requires Christians to be restrained in everything, and those who masturbate can't control the habit. He cited,
"Everything is permissible for me" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Corinthians 6:12)
So, even though some people deny sexual fantasy or adulterous thoughts while masturbating, it is still against the Bible because they're bound by the habit.
The author offers a few suggestions to avoid sexual sins like masturbation: search for the ultimate happiness and satisfaction from God; fill your brains with God's Word; live an active life; take care of one's body, and so on.
-Translated by Grace Hubl
