Jerry White wrote a book that I have found both inspiring and challenging--Honesty, Morality and Conscience. I'd recommend this book to anyone as a good primer on developing a Christian ethic and conscience.<br><br>On this subject, he writes (pages 201-202 in my copy):<blockquote><br><br>"Yet the Bible does give guidelines which will allow you to decide if masturbation is sin for you. Consider these observations:<br><br>1. Recall the definition of sensuality and lust: 'gratification of the senses or the indulgence of appetite; devoted to or preoccupied with the senses" and "intense sexual desire". Masturbation definitely fits these definitions (see Galatians 5:19). Can you practice masturbation without indulging in sensuality or lust?<br><br>2. The next test is that of your thought life. Jesus said, 'I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart' (Matthew 5:28). When a person practices masturbation, what is in his or her mind? Can a person practice masturbation without imagining a sexual act or at least sensual pictures? How do you feel? If you practice masturbation, can your mind remain pure?<br><br>3. Next, consider the sanctity and intent of the sexual act in marriage. Without question, masturbation is an attempt to experience the same sensations meant to be experienced in marriage. It is a substitute for the real thing--a fake, a fabrication, and a deceit.<br><br>4. Also, masturbation is totally self-centered. One of the characteristics of self-centeredness is self-indulgence. Paul described the way of life of one controlled by Satan, saying, 'We too all formerly lived in the lusts of the flesh; indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind.' (Ephesians 2:3)<br><br>5. Finally, masturbation can put us in bondage. When a person is controlled by a fleshly indulgence, he sins. 'Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts.' (Romans 6:12) Paul also said, 'All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.' Are you in bondage to masturbation?" </blockquote><br><br>I would urge anyone to consider what Jerry White has written, because I think there is much wisdom here.<br><br>Theo