15 Bible Verses About Masturbation
Many people struggle with feelings of guilt and shame about masturbation. These emotions can intensify if you think that what you’re doing is sinful. If you are a Christian, you might wonder Is Watching Porn Against the Bible? If you’re trying to figure out what the Bible says about this topic, certain verses can shed light on the matter. This guide will help you know 15 Bible verses about masturbation.
Quit porn can help you achieve your goals by addressing the real issue beneath your distress about masturbation: porn use.
Table of Contents
What Is Masturbation in the Bible?
Does the Bible Mention Masturbation Directly? No, the Bible does not use the word “masturbation” anywhere in its original Hebrew or Greek texts. However, the absence of a specific word does not mean Scripture is silent about the behavior. While masturbation isn’t named, the thought patterns, emotional states, and spiritual consequences surrounding it are addressed, primarily through teachings on lust, sexual immorality, and the purpose of the body. Masturbation, in most contexts, involves lustful thoughts (mental pornography, fantasy), Physical self-pleasure apart from marriage, Private, compulsive behavior that is often hidden, and these are precisely the areas the Bible teaches us to surrender to God.
The Sin of Lust: Masturbation’s Deadly Connection
Before we can understand what the Bible says about masturbation, we need to examine its connection to lust. Although masturbation can be physical, it almost always begins in the mind. Jesus made it clear in Matthew 5:28: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This means that the intent behind your actions matters just as much as the actions themselves. Most masturbation sessions involve imagining someone you’re not married to. Even if you’re not watching porn, the mental stimulation usually stems from lustful fantasy, which the Bible directly calls sin. Therefore, masturbation becomes a physical response to a sinful thought, which Scripture consistently warns against.
What Does the Bible Say About the Mind-Body Connection?
The Bible treats your body as a holy place where God’s Spirit dwells. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…? Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 So if masturbation dishonors your body by turning it into a tool for lust rather than worship, then it’s incompatible with this spiritual truth. It also speaks against feeding the flesh, which refers to impulses and urges that are disconnected from the Spirit: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Related Reading
• Bible Verses About Sexual Purity
• Is Wasting Sperm a Sin in Christianity
15 Bible Verses You Need to Know About Masturbation
1. Lusting After Images Is Not Okay
While the Bible doesn’t use the word “masturbation,” it gives us powerful principles on how to treat our bodies, control lust, and walk in purity. These verses help build a biblical foundation for resisting this habit. Matthew 5:28 states, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Masturbation is often paired with lustful thoughts or fantasies, which Jesus equates to heart-level adultery.
2. Your Body Is Not Your Own
We must understand that our bodies are not our own. First Corinthians 6:18-20 says, "Flee from sexual immorality... your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit... Therefore honor God with your bodies." Masturbation is a solo act of pleasure that dishonors God’s design for sexuality. This verse reminds you that your body is not your own.
3. Kill Sinful Desires
Colossians 3:5 says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires..." The urge to masturbate stems from desires we’re commanded to crucify, not entertain.
4. God Wants You to Walk in Purity
First Thessalonians 4:35 says, "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality... not in passionate lust like the pagans..." God’s will is not confusion — it’s clarity. He wants you to walk in purity, not in secret sexual cycles.
5. Resisting Temptation
James 1:14–15 says, "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their evil desire and enticed... after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin..." Masturbation doesn’t just “happen." It begins with desire, and this verse shows how it spirals into sin and spiritual death.
6. Fighting Visual Temptation
Job 31:1 says, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman." The battle starts with the eyes. Masturbation often violates this commitment to visual purity.
7. Don’t Plan for Sin
Romans 13:14 says, "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." Planning or fantasizing about masturbation contradicts this command not to make provision for sinful cravings.
8. Avoid Desires That Wage War Against Your Soul
First Peter 2:11 says, "Abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul." This is not about behavior management; it’s spiritual warfare. Masturbation often flows from these soul-damaging desires.
9. Don’t Let Sin Reign Over Your Body
Romans 6:12–13 says, "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body... do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness..." Your hands, your mind, your body — are not tools for indulgence but worship. Masturbation is misuse.
10. Walk by the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-17 says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." This illustrates the alternative: not just stopping the sin, but replacing it with a Spirit-led life.
11. Radical Purity
Ephesians 5:3 says, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity..." God calls us to radical purity, not legal loopholes. “Just a little” lust or masturbation still violates this standard.
12. Temptation Will Burn You
Proverbs 6:27-28 says, "Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?" You cannot flirt with temptation (images, thoughts) and expect not to fall into sin.
13. Flee From Temptation
Second Timothy 2:22 says, "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace..." Don't fight masturbation; flee from the situation altogether and pursue better things.
14. Live to Honor God
Romans 12:1 says, "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship." This is a call to consecration. Your body is meant to glorify God, not for personal sexual entertainment.
15. God’s Word Gives Us Direction
Psalm 119:9 says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." Freedom from masturbation starts with God’s Word. Scripture is both shield and sword. QUITTR is a science-based and actionable way to quit porn forever. Our app combines practical tools with supportive features, including an AI-powered support system, community leaderboards, meditation exercises, and progress tracking. We've included essential features such as a content blocker, streak tracker, AI Therapist, recovery journal, leaderboard, meditation games, lessons, educational content, relaxing sounds, side-effect awareness, life tree features, and more!
Whether you're seeking support, education, or practical tools to quit porn forever, QUITTR offers a private, understanding space to work toward your personal goals. Try the #1 science-based way to stop porn by joining our 28-day challenge to compete with other people for the longest streak.
Is Masturbation a Sin According to the Bible?
Many Christians wrestle with whether masturbation is a sin or just a natural, harmless behavior. The confusion usually stems from this fact: The Bible does not directly mention the word masturbation. But the Bible gives us enough moral and theological insight through teachings on lust, sexual purity, self-control, the body as a temple, and God’s design for sexuality. So, while masturbation isn't explicitly named, the spiritual behavior surrounding it is deeply addressed.
Theological Perspective: Why Most Biblical Interpretations Say Yes, It Is Sin
Masturbation Almost Always Involves Lust
Matthew 5:28 says, “Whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart.” Whether it’s porn or sexual fantasy, the act is rarely isolated from lust which Jesus directly condemns.
It’s Rooted in Self-Gratification, Not Self-Control
Masturbation is a physical indulgence that trains you to obey your urges, not the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control.”
It Short-Circuits God’s Purpose for Sex
God designed sex to be shared between a husband and wife in a mutual, intimate, and covenantal way. Masturbation is one-sided, disconnected, and idolizes pleasure over purpose.
It Fuels Shame and Hiddenness
Most masturbation happens in secrecy and leads to guilt, a tell-tale sign it’s misaligned with God’s will. Genesis 3:7-10 says Adam and Eve hid after sin.
It Pollutes the Temple of God — Your Body
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
Common Counterarguments (and Biblical Responses)
"The Bible never says it's a sin."
That’s true, but the lust that accompanies it is repeatedly called sinful. And almost all acts of masturbation involve lustful thoughts or visuals.
"It’s better than fornication or cheating."
That’s a worldly standard. God’s standard isn’t “better than sin” — it’s holiness. 1 Peter 1:16 says, “Be holy, because I am holy.”
"It’s natural; everyone does it."
Sin is often natural to the flesh. That’s why we’re told to crucify the flesh (Galatians 5:24) and not conform to the world.
"It’s how I release stress or avoid worse sins."
God doesn’t offer sin as a solution; He affords Himself, community, and discipline. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “God is faithful… he will provide a way out.”
The Bible’s Sexual Ethic: A Higher Standard
Scripture doesn’t just regulate external actions; it transforms inner motives. The biblical view of sex and purity is: holy, covenant-based, selfless, and Spirit-led. Masturbation is flesh-driven, isolated, often lust-fueled, and temporarily gratifying but spiritually draining. QUITTR is a science-based and actionable way to quit porn forever. Our app combines practical tools with supportive features, including an AI-powered support system, community leaderboards, meditation exercises, and progress tracking. We've included essential features such as a content blocker, streak tracker, AI Therapist, recovery journal, leaderboard, meditation games, lessons, educational content, relaxing sounds, side-effect awareness, life tree features, and more!
Whether you're seeking support, education, or practical tools to quit porn forever, QUITTR offers a private, understanding space to work toward your personal goals. Try the #1 science-based way to stop porn by joining our 28-day challenge to compete with other people for the longest streak.
Related Reading
• Sexual Purity
• Is Masturbation a Sin According to the Bible
• Self-Control in the Bible
7 Ways to Break Free from Masturbation
1. Confession and Renunciation: The First Steps in Breaking Free from Masturbation
When it comes to breaking free from the sin of masturbation, the first step is confession. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession is not just admitting it but agreeing with God that what you’ve been doing is wrong. Renouncing the behavior means you reject it spiritually, not just emotionally.
Quittr Support
The Reset Tracker allows you to log relapses without shame. It reframes the fall into a learning point and reminds you of God’s forgiveness.
2. Renew Your Mind: The Key to Breaking Free from Masturbation
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2 You can’t win spiritual battles with a flesh-fed mindset. The more Scripture you meditate on, the less power lustful thoughts have over your mind.
Quittr Support
Daily Verse Prompts, Purity Affirmations, and Devotional Challenges help keep your mind centered on truth, not temptation.
3. Flee From Triggers and Temptation: Don’t Fight It
“Flee from sexual immorality.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 Don’t fight lust; flee from it. Identify what makes you vulnerable: Is it certain websites? Late nights? Loneliness?
Quittr Support
Use the Trigger Tracker to log moments of weakness. Over time, you’ll start seeing patterns and can build better boundaries.
4. Replace Lust With God-Given Purpose
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31 Lust fills the void of boredom and spiritual apathy. When your life has structure, calling, and direction, lust loses its grip.
Quittr Support
The app features a Morning Purpose Routine, a habit tracker, and reminders to help you stay aligned with your spiritual goals.
5. Fast and Pray for Deliverance
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” – Matthew 26:41. “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting.” – Mark 9:29. Some spiritual strongholds require deep surrender, not just effort. Fasting humbles the flesh; prayer strengthens the Spirit.
Quittr Support
Log fasts and prayer commitments. Use the Temptation Override feature to pray or read Scripture when urges arise.
6. Seek Accountability and Community
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” – James 5:16. Isolation is where sin grows. Freedom begins in the light. Find someone who will ask the hard questions and walk with you.
Quittr Support
Join Anonymous Recovery Circles or invite an accountability partner within the app. Daily check-ins keep you honest and encouraged.
7. Let the Holy Spirit Lead You
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16. You can’t fight the flesh with the flesh. You need the Spirit of God to realign your heart and desires. Walking in the Spirit means keeping in step with God's will, moment by moment.
Quittr Support
The Guided Journals, Refocus Prompts, and Urge Intervention Tools help you pause, listen, and respond to the Spirit, not to temptation.
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Research shows that porn can hijack the brain's reward pathways, much like drugs or alcohol. Studies have shown that porn can lead to sexual dysfunction, relationship problems, and mental health issues. And the more a person watches porn, the more they seem to crave it. One study found that people who reported higher levels of porn consumption also had a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety.
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Related Reading
• What is Lust in the Bible
• How to Stop Masterbating Forever Permanently Christian
• Bible Verses About Lust
