Masturbation as Birth Control

What does the bible say about masturbation? Is this clearly a forbidden sin or is masturbation an open handed issue (no pun intended)? Is masturbation a form of birth control both in our outside of marriage?
Pastor Mark Driscoll answers this question as part of a live "Ask Anything" session in which audience members SMS questions to the pulpit to be answered in real time.

This question was answered in the broader context of a sermon entitled "Is Birth Control a Sin?" which can be found at http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/birth-control

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[davedavid86]

Wow that is the best message I've heard yet on masturbation. I'm glad Mark confronts it head on and tackles the issue at hand while many other pastors shy away from the issue. I must admit I do struggle with it big big time.

[FeeneyAaron]

How awkward is this?

[realcoolboy17]

@cleany18 Umm if you are filled with the Holy spirit no demon should have any dominion over you period, Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

[eternitywithjesus888]

the jerry springer of the pulpit

[realcoolboy17]

My brothers and sisters regardless whether you agree with this mans interpretation of the word of God is one thing, but this vile communication (hate,swearing,condemning) must stop now. The tongue is the most wicked muscle in the human body. do not allow the the same mouth you praise god with also be used to praise Satan with. Remember Love thy neighbor as Christ so loved the church. God bless

[lazybear427]

I have a pretty direct verse about masturbation, LEVI 15:16-18 that talks pretty directly about masturbation.

[truexdaci]

Lol people were having sex and jacking off WAY before the bible or any religion at all came to be. so every early human went to hell? Oh wait adam and eve... so they had religion(you may think) but they didnt get married they didnt even have language... so my point still stands.

[goodejr15]

Then Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife, and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother's wife he spilled the semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother. And what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD, and he slew him also. Genesis 38:8-10. The Bible both says something about it and condemns it. Sorry Mark, try again!

[AmericanCryer]

Interesting topic. I would say that we need to define what lust is. Surely if I lust over my wife, or she lusts over me, that is not sin. Now define marriage. A covenant between a man and woman, right? Why does it always have to be a legal document to do so? Or even the church? Shouldn't that covenant be that both that man and woman be faithful to each other and live their lives accordingly with their spirits in harmony? I think the covenant should be more of a promise, not just a document.

[yisoonshin12]

The description.... LOL

[tank200926]

I don't know about this... I'm not a bible buff but to paraphrase, if you're eyes cause you to sin... gouge them out because it would be better to be blind than to be thrown into hell, and.... if you're hand causes you to sin, cut it off because it would be better to be crippled than to be thrown into hell...

[3VOLution3NO]

These sinful lusts rage WAR against our Spirit. Temptation is a bitch, and we gave in. but by the Spirit and the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ we can mortify the deeds of the flesh and overcome these worldly temptations. It is the battle of Spirit vs Flesh.

For if ye live by the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, YE SHALL LIVE. Romans 8:13 KJV