Evidence that Masturbation is a Sin

Many young Christians I speak to say masturbation is not a sin because there is only one reference in the bible supposedly about masturbation (the story of Onan) but this is not actually about masturbation.

However, in order to masturbate you must lust. Lust is defined as sexual desire. You must have sexual desire in order to masturbate, i.e. think of a beautiful naked woman or man. Lust is a sin.

Matthew 5:28 says, "Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Job 31:11-12 says, "For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own."

Since you must lust to masturbate, and since lust is a sin then it follows logically that masturbation is a sin.

I presented this argument to my Christian friend (who masturbates) and he said the following: "Jesus died for my sins. All the sins I ever committed and all the sins I ever will commit have already been forgiven. I don't worry about it. Sin does not exist anymore." He said that he "masturbates, confesses, and then is forgiven." He repeats the processes on and on, expecting forgiveness all the time.

But you cannot do this. You must strive to be perfect. Thessalonians 4:7-8 says, "God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

Also, in Hebrews it says that wilfull sin is not covered by God's sacrifice and will not be forgiven. Hebrews 10:26-27 says, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."

The evidence that masturbation is a sin seems strong. So what should a Christian do is he or she is tempted to masturbate? According to http://www.wolfeborobible.com/selfpleasure.html you must do the following:

"You need to have a godly plan to deal with this sin. We suggest that you read your Bible and Pray right before you go to sleep. So the last thing on your mind will be about the Lord.

"We also believe that you MUST confess this sin EVERY time you commit it. Don't simply ignore the sin, because God never does! Confess it! Ask God for help and victory over this sin. Plan on praying to God and thanking God as soon as you wake in the morning. If you begin to day-dream about someone in a sexual way, confess that as sin, right away and begin to think about God honoring things.

"Avoid idle time that will allow you to engage in ungodly thinking. When you begin to think about commiting this sin, STOP, PRAY, repent for even thinking about it, and then begin doing those things that please God.

"Like many sins, this Self-Sexual Sin becomes a habit that can only be broken through the power of God. Cry out to God for forgiveness and for Victory!"