Masturbation without lust?

[StarAblaze]

     Hi everyone,
I have a question concerning masturbation, I hope not to offend anyone. I have struggled with masturbation over the years,
and wondered whether or not the act itself was right or wrong. Something that has more recently been on my mind are the 
questions "What exactly is lust?", "How do I know If I am lusting?", "Is it possible to masturbate without lust?" etc.
Regarding masturbating without lust, one example could be, would it be sinful to masturbate to a picture of a woman who is fully clothed without lust in my heart for her, and is this even possible? As I said before, I don't wish to offend anyone, and I'm looking for honest
answers, but above all else I want to live for God and obey his commands.

Thank you guys!

[RB]

I have a question concerning masturbation, I hope not to offend anyone.

Sincere questions do not offend, if one is seeking to be help, with a sincere spirit.

I have struggled with masturbation over the years,

My first question to you would be...are you married? Which I assume you are not. For no married man should have such problems~ and if he does, he has more than just one problem to be concerned with.

the act itself was right or wrong.

It could lead to a defeated, and unprofitable and unhealthy life as a believer in Jesus Christ. There is a life that is so much more fulfilling than to give oneself over to such a lower form of living one's life in fulfilling his sexual desire. The practice of masturbating is a sign of lacking self control of ruling one's spirit, but also of lack of love/faith toward God, in seeking to please him in thoughts as well as our deeds. I refuse to say that it is wrong in every case, that's must be between God and one's conscience~but will say this, that our conscience must not be constantly violated when its speak to us of something that is not right, and refused to grant peace to us as we do certain things that are questionable.

Acts 24:16...Reads~"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."

Anything less than this is to prove that one does not have the faith of God's elect.

"What exactly is lust?", "How do I know If I am lusting?"

Well praise God, this has been on your mind, which means your conscience is active and still working convincing you of right and wrong. Our conscience is that little voice speaking inside of us and that talks to us constantly, approving or else accusing us. If our understanding is from the scriptures alone concerning right and wrong, we should be guided properly by that little voice inside of us, if we would only humble our spirits and listen to it. Sexual Lust is a burning sensation that God implanted within us, called testosterone.  While young males are sleeping, God has his hypodemic needle pumping testosterones into them that will turn them from little boys into young men desiring the bodies of young girls. Yet, he also given to us the power to rule one's spirit, by given to us instructions on how to be over comers. Sexual lust is a wonderful gift, but more so, when practiced God's way, and not like animals who have no ability to be taught. Holy Joseph made no provision to fulfilled sexual lust that was forbidden by fleeing. God has given to us his word for us to live a life that is very fulfilling by heeding his commandments, and not being ruled by our sinful flesh. So much could be said, but enough to guide one into the right path of living a life that is pleasing to God, and not to the flesh.

"Is it possible to masturbate without lust?" etc.

Is it possible to walk on hot coal and not to burn one's feet? Impossible on both questions.

Regarding masturbating without lust, one example could be, would it be sinful to masturbate to a picture of a woman who is fully clothed without lust in my heart for her, and is this even possible?

"IF" one could do this, then they are showing just how serious their lust is that needs to be satisfied.  One that is a believer should be seeking God for a wife to fulfill his strong desire for a woman. It is better to marry than to burn. If one could get excited by a picture of a woman fully dress, then he should be seeking a wife with all his might.     

would it be sinful to masturbate to a picture of a woman who is fully clothed without lust in my heart for her, and is this even possible?

Without lusting? Impossible.

But above all else I want to live for God and obey his commands.

May God, who is merciful above all, grant you a godly wife.  Based upon what you said, it should be July 4th every day in your house hold.

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

Psychologist:   Do you think sex is dirty?
Woody Allen:   Well, it is if you're doing it right.

(The point is - If there were such a thing as masturbation without lust, it wouldn't be worth doing.)

[Sinful]

I think when you question if something is right or wrong perhaps you should ask if you can give Jesus praise while doing whatever it is. I mean could you masturbate while singing a Christian song giving praise or would the two conflict with each other?
Even if you could masturbate without lust isn't the act still sinful since it excludes the relationship between husband and wife. To me it's sinful just like homosexual acts are sinful because it's a perversion of what God intended with sex.
The best explanation I have heard in regards to God's view on sex goes something like this:

1. God created man in His image, containing both masculinity and femininity
2. Then God created woman from man, separating femininity from masculinity, thus separating the image of God
3. When a man and a woman who are married to each other come together in a sexual union they recreate that image of God
4. So sex between unmarried people, homosexual sex and masturbation are all examples of perversions of God's image.

[A4J]

Well said, like the part where you mention does it Glorify God

[gymaddict]

In his book SEX, MEN AND GOD, Dr. Douglas Weiss sets out three types of Christian masturbators.  First is the guys who masturbate to images, fantasy, and employ lust.  That is most guys he concedes.

Second type is those men who masturbate without images, fantasy, or lust staying connected to their bodies and the wonderfully pleasurable feelings generated by the act done without lust.  There are many guys like that out there, he concedes, though in comparison, their numbers are vastly less than the type one guys.  For the record, I am one of those guys.

Lastly, he sets out type three guys and those are guys who have never masturbated.  He says he keeps a count of those guys and Dr. Weiss has met 14 such guys to be specific. 

Finally, he says the guys in each type have no understanding of how the guys in the other types could be that way.  From my experience talking to guys in confidence, he is totally correct.  I am approaching seven decades so I would conjecture that my type guy, the guys who gets relief without lust, are in dwindling numbers given the onslaught of the internet and the saturation of our culture with printed and electronic pornography. 

Dr. Weiss' book mentioned above is a great read which should be read by all Christian men.....That book and all his books as well as the books by Michael Cusick, Dr. Patrick Carnes, and Dr. Ted Roberts.  All these great men fighting porn in the church encourage men to read, read, and read.................

Godspeed

[Daemon Blackfyre]

In his book SEX, MEN AND GOD, Dr. Douglas Weiss sets out three types of Christian masturbators.  First is the guys who masturbate to images, fantasy, and employ lust.  That is most guys he concedes.

Second type is those men who masturbate without images, fantasy, or lust staying connected to their bodies and the wonderfully pleasurable feelings generated by the act done without lust.  There are many guys like that out there, he concedes, though in comparison, their numbers are vastly less than the type one guys.  For the record, I am one of those guys.

Lastly, he sets out type three guys and those are guys who have never masturbated.  He says he keeps a count of those guys and Dr. Weiss has met 14 such guys to be specific. 

Finally, he says the guys in each type have no understanding of how the guys in the other types could be that way.  From my experience talking to guys in confidence, he is totally correct.  I am approaching seven decades so I would conjecture that my type guy, the guys who gets relief without lust, are in dwindling numbers given the onslaught of the internet and the saturation of our culture with printed and electronic pornography. 

Dr. Weiss' book mentioned above is a great read which should be read by all Christian men.....That book and all his books as well as the books by Michael Cusick, Dr. Patrick Carnes, and Dr. Ted Roberts.  All these great men fighting porn in the church encourage men to read, read, and read.................

Godspeed

Does that book and an audiobook form at all?

[Yahu]

     Hi everyone,
I have a question concerning masturbation, I hope not to offend anyone. I have struggled with masturbation over the years,
and wondered whether or not the act itself was right or wrong. Something that has more recently been on my mind are the 
questions "What exactly is lust?", "How do I know If I am lusting?", "Is it possible to masturbate without lust?" etc.
Regarding masturbating without lust, one example could be, would it be sinful to masturbate to a picture of a woman who is fully clothed without lust in my heart for her, and is this even possible? As I said before, I don't wish to offend anyone, and I'm looking for honest
answers, but above all else I want to live for God and obey his commands.

Thank you guys!

Personally, I define lust as an 'evil desire' that would lead to sin if you gave into it because scripture says 'lust conceived brings forth sin'.  Sexual desire in an of itself is not lust.  So looking at a married woman or a virgin (you will not marry) and fantasizing about having sex with them in your mind is WRONG.  Those acts are clearly forbidden by the LAW.  It would be sin if you carried it out.  There is NO place for lust in a marriage.  That is just godly sexual desire, not lust. 

An unmarried, non-virgin was actually lawful to have a sexual relationship with.  It was called 'taking a concubine'.  It was lawful to have multiple wives and concubines.  Having multiple partners is NOT the ideal situation but the Law didn't forbid it.  It is our puritanical 'traditions of man' of our society that equates any sexual act outside of marriage as sin.  That is Phariseeism, ie expanding on the law to add to it according to the traditions of man.  Jacob and Abraham were NOT in sexual sin, but took on additional wives/concubines.  The prophet Nathan even told David that Yah (God) gave him all of Saul's harem and would grant him more women BUT his sin was taking another man's wife.

IMO masturbation to memories of godly sexual acts is not LUST because the act is not sin.  Many use the story of Onon to condemn all masturbation BUT that is because they don't understand the story.  It is a story about inheritance law and sexual exceptions to the law.  Onan's sin was GREED for his dead brother's inheritance of the double portion of the eldest heir.  It was his motive for spilling his seed that angered Yah (God).  Scripture even states the error as his refusal to 'raise up seed for his dead brother'.  The story has NOTHING to do with masturbation but of pulling out after sex because of his refusal to get Tamar pregnant so she could bare an heir to inherit from Judah to maintain her for the rest of her life.

Scripture also equates a man spilling his seed as being unclean until he washes and for the rest of the day.  It also equates a woman on her period as unclean.  Being unclean, is not equated as being in sin.