What does the bible say about masturbation?

Are there any specific passages about masterbation? I couldn't find any, but someone told me that the Bible says it's a sin.

Catholics use the passage about Onan spilling his seed to condemn the practice, but they totally miss the point of the story. It wasn't the spilled seed that angered god, it was Onan's refusal to live up to his obligation to impregnate his dead brother's wife that irritated YHWH.

...wierd culture, but that's what they value.

According to the bible:

1) God made man in his own image

2) God gave humans the ability to masturbate along with the great feeling it brings.

Go figure...

My personal feeling is that if god didn't want us to mast*rbate, we would be born with shorter arms. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any specific passages supporting the POV that it is a sin.

There is NO commandment in the Bible regarding masturbation in spite of what some 'christians' may have you believe.

In the absence of a clear command from God, surely christians must be careful of creating condemnation where God never intended it?

does it really matter what god wants you to do anyways?
you live once, do what you want.

that's what I wanted to know toadaly. thanks. jaceb, don't let those labels trip you up. GOD = a power greater than myself. intuition. the universal subconcious mind.

jaceb- it DOES matter what God thinks if your a christian... did you ever think of that?

or do you have your head too far up your backside?

Stop dissing God. One day you're going to realise he's real... And honestly I hope it's before your pushing up daisies.

ok...

the reason (well, one of them) why were on here on this earth to begin with is to be tested. this life is a big test. we are tempted and tested here. the trials and tribulations are everywhere. we must overcome them and show God that we are worthy to return to live with Him.

when it comes to masturbation, the bible talks about how it's a sin to be carnally minded or to have the mind of the flesh. it's talking about sexual sins. masturbating is a carnal sin. we are to overcome that temptation and show respect for our bodies which are temples. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are, 1 Cor 3:16-17. Please do not defile yourself.

The Bible talks about sexual purity. It leaves the actual definition of sexual purity a bit vague. Some things are officially OUT - you know the ones! Some things are definitely in - husbands and wives having sex. Masturbation can be interpreted as sexually impure (see above), but it doesn't actually say that in the Bible. My personal understanding is that it isn't sinful, although things like pornography are.

You have to remember that a lot of cultural interpretations have been put on the 'sexual purity' thing. (Like Victorian women never showing their ankles but having completely exposed shoulders and cleavages.) It's a bit too easy to put the culture of our own times, or, more likely, of 50 years ago, into our interpretation.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31

Well it's not mentioned in the bible in plain terms, but sexual immorality is a sin and I think masterbation is sexual immorality. Isn't it kinda like having sex with yourself? He didnt give sex as a gift to married couples AND for single people to do alone. It's for married people, period. I used to try to find loopholes in this myself, I wanted so bad to find out that it was ok, but it's really not. It's fulfilling lust and desire that you have, as well as satisfying your flesh. you have to rule your flesh, you have to die to yourself daily and deny yourself. it's of sexual nature and I feel like, anything you wouldnt do in front of Jesus, you shouldnt be doing of course, you cant do it on your own, it's only by the strength God gave and is giving me that I have stopped. it's a struggle, but people are doing (or not doing) it everyday.its possible

I wouldn't have sex with my husband in front of jesus. But I didn't post this to argue, I just wanted some plain terms. something along the lines of I will smite thee if thy hand travels downward! So I think as far as the most helpful answer... props goes to toadaly. Thanks.