Sex, dating and family
Is masturbation a sin?
Short answer
The Bible doesn't mention it directly. It does speak about lust, self-control and sex as a gift for marriage, so bring it to God.
Many are too embarrassed to ask this. The Bible never names masturbation, so be wary of anyone who calls it the worst sin, and of anyone who says it doesn't matter.
Jesus warned that looking at someone with lust is adultery in the heart, and masturbation usually goes with lustful fantasies or porn. God designed sex as a gift husband and wife give each other, not turned inward. Self-control is part of the Spirit's fruit.
Don't let shame drive you: it makes you hide from God. Bring this to Him without fear. Notice what triggers it, like loneliness, stress or your phone late at night, and deal with those.
Talk to a trusted Christian of the same sex. You won't shock them. If you're under 18, choose a parent or a youth leader your church has approved. No adult should ever ask you to keep secrets.
My verses
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.