If I masturbate without watching Porn is that still a Sin?

Pastor Chris, 

If I masturbate without watching Porn is that still a Sin?

~ Alexander

 

ANSWER

Alexander,

 

Do you fantasize when you stimulate yourself? I have never heard of a man masturbating without fantasy going on in his mind. Mind fantasy is lust and Jesus tells us not to involve ourselves with lust (Matthew 5:28). A man can lust in his thought life without actually looking at images. This is sin.

 

Steve Arterburn has written an excellent book on the subject of sexual temptation titled Every Young Man’s Battle: Strategies for Victory in the Real World of Sexual Temptation (The Every Man Series). I highly recommend this book for a more in-depth discussion of this issue.

 

Scripture tells us to flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). We are not wise when we dabble around the edges of sin. Play with a snake and you will get bit.

 

~ Pastor Chris