Answer:
by Konstance McCaffree: (07/08/2004)
I am probably not going to be able to help you much because I don't think that masturbation is harmful to people. Depending on how the Bible is interpreted in these modern times, any discussion in any of the verses of the Bible talks about "spilling the seed" isn't about the act of masturbation but of the possibility of not carrying on the dwindling population that the Jews were facing at that time. There is no mention in the Bible of women having to stop masturbating either.
I also disagree that lust is giving in to sexual urges. Sexual urges are natural. We wouldn't carry on the species in reproduction with out them. They are built into every person's adult development and it is what happens once a person goes through puberty and is no longer a child. There are sexual feelings present. We can either release these sexual feelings (and there are many ways including having intercourse and masturbating) or not. That isn't necessarily lusting after something. Your definition of lust and mine is very different.
To release your sexual feelings in a wholesome and nonexploitive way (some people rape someone else to release sexual feelings just to be having intercourse which is supposedly supported in the Bible) is not described anywhere in the Bible that I read as a sin. If you were to exploit someone else it would be (although the Bible talks a great deal about rape and force, and in today's modern times we consider that both sinful and against the law).
I guess if you really feel it is a sin, and want to stop, you stop. Just like anything else - if you smoked and wanted to stop smoking even though you have strong feelings about needing to smoke, you just have to stop. YOu find other things to do that will substitute. So, when you feel you need to masturbate, go out and exercise or do something that will take your mind off of the desire.Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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