Hi Alex,
It's a struggle that Men everywhere and probably some Women have experienced throughout their lives, God created Testosterone and it depends on the individual person as to how much is secreted. Unless God has planned to remove this desire and when is unknown to Humans. Since none of Us don't have Free Will or Free Moral Agency, We won't & can't overcome this practice through Our own Will & power. I liken this desire to masturbate as a type of addiction that gives immediate physical & sensual gratification that sort of gives a temporary "high," because it feels good. Also, under stress or boredom, it's probably easier to succumb to.
There are some Scriptures that seem to imply that it should be avoided, but these Scriptures are not explicitly clear as to Masturbation. Read Below !
Col 3:5 Mortify(Deaden) therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Mortify means: G3499
νεκρόω
nekroō
nek-ro'-o
From G3498; to deaden, that is, (figuratively) to subdue: - be dead, mortify.
Uncleanness means: akatharsia
ak-ath-ar-see'-ah
From G169; impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness.
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Concupiscence means: epithumia
ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah
From G1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence, desire, lust (after).
Vessel means: skeuos
skyoo'-os
Of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively [specifically a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband]): - goods, sail, stuff, vessel.
Of course it could be argued that the above Scriptures don't specifically apply to Self Abuse or Masturbation, but they might indirectly apply. Also, I've had weakness in this area and let Me assure that if this desire is strong, Marriage doesn't necessarily solve the problem. Only the hating of this desire and it's removal from Our Carnal Mind under God's control will eliminate this practice. The fact that this practice bothers your conscience is a plus or positive note.
Below, I included an Email from a Friend who visits the Forum as a Guest that might aid in encouraging you, hope it helps. This individual is sincere in their message. Read below in blue !
Hi Alex,
God impressed it on me to offer you some encouragement along with those that have already answered. Here are some verses to consider when it comes to sin.
Jeremiah 17:5-6 (NLT)
(5) This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.
(6) They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.
Philippians 3:3 (NLT)
(3)...We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,
John 15:5 (NLT)
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For without me you can do nothing.
To be completely honest, you will not find the strength to overcome this in yourself. You can do nothing as Christ Himself said. The self can do nothing righteous, nothing good, and nothing pleasing to God. Even Ray once said, you will not stop sinning until God has determined that you will. Is that a license to rejoice in sin? No, of course not. However, it is an honest and humble acknowledgment of what you (and the rest of us) really are – dust. What strength does dust have? None.
Paul wrote in Romans 6:23 (NLT):
(23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Notice that salvation is a gift that we are given – meaning that we do nothing to earn it. If we had earned it, then it would be a payment, not a gift. This is a further witness.
Scripture says that man's righteousness is a pile of filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6, NLT):
(6) We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
If we are honest, a pile of filthy rags would be an improvement because that is when we are at our human best. How often are we truly even acting at that level?
Notice what the Lord said next through Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT):
(7) But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
( They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
The passage where Christ walks on the water comes to mind. Peter was able to walk on the water as long as he remained focused on Christ. It was when he started looking/focusing on the storm and the waves (the troubles in life) that he began to sink.
Here's another passage to consider – Romans 8:20-23 (NLT)
(20) Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope,
(21) the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
(22) For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
(23) And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.
The Apostle John summed it up quite nicely when he was inspired to state:
1 John 1:8 (NLT)
( If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
Paul provided the second witness to this in Romans 7:14-25 (NLT):
(14) So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.
(15) I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
(16) But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.
(17) So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
(18) And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
(19) I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
(20) But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
(21) I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
(22) I love God’s law with all my heart.
(23) But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
(24) Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
(25) Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Remember the Lord's promise, given through Isaiah 1:18 (NLT):
(18) "Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.
As well as Psalm 103:13-14 (NLT):
(13) The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
(14) For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
Hopefully these verses encourage and uplift you. May God wrap you in His loving and faithful arms.
In Him,
John
Hope this helped, Samson.