The Bible gives profound truths on how believers can exercise self-pleasure to be wise with their sexual choices and understand what spiritual principles are that our conduct should align with.
There may not be any direct verses about masturbation in the Bible. Still, there are biblical principles that Christians should follow as a guide to how they approach their purity and sanctity amidst sexual sins.
In this article, we will consider what the Bible says about how to manage our desires and keep our holiness by observing key verses and their accompanying explanation.
- Prayers about Self-Pleasure (With Scriptures to Back)
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30 Self-pleasure Bible Verses
1. Matthew 5:28
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
In this verse, Jesus teaches about the seriousness of lust and its equivalence to adultery. Self-pleasure often accompanies lustful thoughts or imaginations, which can lead individuals away from purity. This passage emphasizes the importance of guarding one’s mind and heart against impure thoughts, as they can be as damaging as physical actions. It calls for a higher standard of holiness, urging believers to focus on inner purity and self-control.
2. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians addresses the issue of sexual immorality, highlighting that such sins are against one’s own body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This perspective urges believers to honor God with their bodies, avoiding actions that defile it. Self-pleasure, especially when linked with lust or impurity, can be seen as dishonoring this temple. The passage calls for a life that reflects one’s dedication to God, including maintaining sexual purity.
3. Galatians 5:16-17
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”
Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with the guidance of the Spirit. Walking by the Spirit involves resisting fleshly desires, which can include self-pleasure when it stems from sinful urges. This passage encourages believers to seek the Spirit’s guidance in all aspects of their lives, promoting self-discipline and spiritual growth. By doing so, they can overcome temptations and live in a way that pleases God.
4. Colossians 3:5
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
This verse calls Christians to actively put to death their earthly, sinful behaviors, including sexual immorality and impurity. These actions are equated to idolatry, indicating how they can take precedence over one’s devotion to God. By eliminating these negative traits, believers can focus on cultivating a life that honors God. This involves addressing the root causes of self-pleasure that are linked to sinful desires and striving for purity in thoughts and actions.
5. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians underscores God’s desire for their sanctification, which includes abstaining from sexual immorality and learning to control one’s body in holiness and honor. Self-pleasure, when driven by lustful passions, stands in contrast to this calling. The passage encourages believers to seek holiness, distinguishing themselves from those who do not know God by practicing self-control and purity.
6. Romans 13:13-14
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Paul’s advice to the Romans emphasizes living a life that is appropriate and honorable, avoiding behaviors associated with darkness, including sexual immorality and sensuality. By putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, believers are called to reject fleshly desires, including those leading to self-pleasure. This involves making conscious choices to live in a way that reflects Christ’s character and resisting temptations that lead to sin.
7. Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
The wisdom of Proverbs highlights the importance of guarding one’s heart, as it is the source of life’s actions and attitudes. Self-pleasure often begins with the thoughts and desires that reside in the heart. By diligently protecting and nurturing a pure heart, believers can ensure that their actions align with God’s will. This vigilance helps maintain spiritual and moral integrity, leading to a life that honors God.
8. James 1:14-15
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
James outlines the progression of temptation to sin, starting with personal desire. Self-pleasure can be part of this process when it arises from sinful cravings. Recognizing this chain of events helps believers understand the gravity of unchecked desires. By addressing and controlling their desires early, they can prevent the descent into sin and its destructive consequences, thereby maintaining their spiritual health.
9. Psalm 119:9-11
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
The psalmist provides practical advice for maintaining purity, which is by living according to God’s word. Immersing oneself in Scripture helps in resisting temptations, including those related to self-pleasure. By internalizing God’s commandments and seeking Him wholeheartedly, believers can navigate their lives with moral clarity and strength, avoiding actions that lead to sin.
10. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Paul encourages the Philippians to focus on positive and virtuous thoughts. By dwelling on what is pure and honorable, believers can align their actions with these values, including in areas of personal conduct and self-control. This mindset helps in overcoming temptations related to self-pleasure, promoting a life that is pleasing to God and reflective of His character.
11. 1 Peter 2:11
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
Peter’s exhortation acknowledges the spiritual battle believers face with fleshly desires. Self-pleasure, when it arises from these passions, can be detrimental to one’s spiritual well-being. By viewing themselves as sojourners and exiles, Christians are reminded of their transient status on earth and their calling to live differently. Abstaining from such desires helps maintain spiritual integrity and focus on eternal values.
12. Hebrews 13:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the importance of keeping the marriage bed pure. Self-pleasure, particularly when it involves lustful thoughts or actions outside the marital relationship, can defile this sanctity. By honoring marriage and maintaining purity, believers can align with God’s design for sexual relationships and avoid behaviors that incur judgment.
13. 2 Timothy 2:22
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
Paul advises Timothy to flee youthful passions, which can include impulses leading to self-pleasure. Instead, he is urged to pursue qualities that reflect a pure heart, such as righteousness, faith, love, and peace. This redirection of focus helps in building a character that is aligned with God’s will, fostering a community of believers who support each other in living virtuously.
14. Ephesians 5:3
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
Paul’s instruction to the Ephesians sets a high standard for moral conduct among believers. Any form of sexual immorality or impurity, including self-pleasure linked to sinful desires, should be entirely absent from their lives. This call to purity is part of the broader expectation for saints to live in a way that is distinct and exemplary, reflecting their commitment to God.
15. Job 31:1
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
Job’s declaration of making a covenant with his eyes illustrates a proactive approach to maintaining purity. By committing to avoid looking at others with lust, he sets a standard for controlling visual stimuli that can lead to sinful thoughts and actions, such as self-pleasure. This covenant helps in fostering self-discipline and integrity, essential for living a righteous life.
16. Proverbs 6:25
“Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes
.”
The wisdom in Proverbs warns against internalizing lustful desires. Attraction based on physical appearance can easily lead to sin, including self-pleasure fueled by lust. By controlling one’s desires and not allowing superficial allurements to captivate the heart, believers can maintain purity and focus on deeper, godly values.
17. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Paul reassures the Corinthians of God’s faithfulness in providing strength to endure temptations. Self-pleasure, as a response to temptation, can be resisted with God’s help. By trusting in God’s provision and seeking His guidance, believers can find ways to overcome temptations and live in accordance with His will, maintaining their purity and integrity.
18. Romans 8:5-6
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Paul contrasts living according to the flesh with living according to the Spirit. Self-pleasure, when driven by fleshly desires, leads to spiritual death. Setting the mind on the Spirit, however, brings life and peace. This passage encourages believers to focus on spiritual growth and aligning their thoughts with the Spirit, helping them resist temptations that arise from the flesh.
19. 1 John 2:16
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
John highlights the origin of worldly temptations, including desires of the flesh. Self-pleasure, as a manifestation of these desires, is not from God but from the world. Understanding this distinction helps believers reject such temptations and seek what aligns with God’s will. By focusing on spiritual values, they can resist worldly influences and maintain their purity.
20. Psalm 101:3
“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”
The psalmist’s commitment to avoiding worthless things includes protecting oneself from visual temptations that lead to sin, such as self-pleasure. By intentionally avoiding exposure to such stimuli, believers can prevent sinful thoughts and actions. This proactive approach helps maintain a focus on what is valuable and godly, fostering a life of purity and dedication to God.
21. 2 Corinthians 10:5
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Paul’s instruction to take every thought captive emphasizes the importance of controlling one’s mind. Self-pleasure often begins with thoughts and fantasies that need to be subdued. By bringing every thought into obedience to Christ, believers can prevent sinful actions and maintain purity. This mental discipline is crucial for living a life that honors God and resists temptations.
22. Psalm 119:37
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
The psalmist’s plea to turn away from worthless things includes a desire to avoid visual temptations that lead to sin, such as self-pleasure. By seeking God’s guidance and focusing on His ways, believers can find life and fulfillment. This commitment to purity helps in maintaining a godly perspective and resisting actions that detract from one’s spiritual health.
23. Ephesians 4:22-24
“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Paul instructs believers to abandon their old, sinful nature and embrace a new life characterized by righteousness and holiness. Self-pleasure, particularly when driven by deceitful desires, belongs to the old self that needs to be discarded. By renewing their minds and adopting a new, godly identity, believers can overcome sinful habits and live in a way that reflects God’s likeness. This transformation involves ongoing spiritual renewal and a commitment to holiness.
24. Galatians 5:24
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Paul emphasizes that true followers of Christ have crucified their flesh, along with its passions and desires. This imagery of crucifixion signifies a decisive break from sinful inclinations, including self-pleasure driven by improper desires. By identifying with Christ’s death and resurrection, believers commit to a life of purity and self-control, rejecting behaviors that conflict with their new identity in Christ.
25. 1 John 3:3
“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
John highlights the hope that believers have in Christ and the corresponding call to purify themselves. Self-pleasure, when associated with impure thoughts and actions, stands in opposition to this call to purity. By striving to be as pure as Christ, believers demonstrate their hope and faith, seeking to reflect His character in all aspects of their lives. This pursuit of purity involves continuous self-examination and spiritual discipline.
26. Romans 6:12-13
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”
Paul urges believers not to let sin dominate their bodies, leading them to obey sinful passions. Self-pleasure, particularly when it involves yielding to unrighteous desires, can be part of this dominion of sin. Instead, believers are called to offer themselves to God, using their bodies as instruments for righteousness. This involves a conscious decision to reject sinful behaviors and embrace a life dedicated to God’s service and holiness.
27. Proverbs 25:28
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
The wisdom of Proverbs compares a lack of self-control to a defenseless city. Without self-control, individuals are vulnerable to various temptations, including those leading to self-pleasure. This metaphor highlights the importance of self-discipline in protecting one’s spiritual and moral integrity. By cultivating self-control, believers can guard against actions that compromise their purity and devotion to God.
28. Psalm 119:133
“Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”
The psalmist’s prayer for steady steps according to God’s promise underscores the desire for a life free from the dominion of sin. Self-pleasure, when it involves sinful thoughts or actions, can dominate one’s life and lead away from God’s path. By seeking God’s guidance and strength, believers can maintain steady steps, resisting iniquity and living in alignment with His promises.
29. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul’s prayer for complete sanctification reflects the holistic nature of purity, encompassing spirit, soul, and body. Self-pleasure, when associated with impurity, can affect this wholeness. By seeking God’s sanctification, believers can aspire to be blameless in all aspects of their lives, preparing for the return of Christ. This comprehensive approach to purity involves ongoing spiritual growth and commitment.
30. 1 Corinthians 9:27
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Paul speaks of disciplining his body to maintain control and avoid disqualification. Self-pleasure, when it leads to a lack of self-control, can undermine one’s spiritual discipline and testimony. By exercising self-discipline, believers can ensure that their lives are consistent with their teachings and witness. This commitment to bodily discipline is crucial for maintaining credibility and integrity in their faith journey.
Conclusion
In the end, unpacking what Scripture says about self-pleasure—filtered through biblical exegesis of purity, innocence, and reverence for God in our flesh-reliant existence—may help Christians navigate these discussions in a complicated world.
Although the scriptures may not contain a burning bush for every generation that addresses homosexuality expressly, the principles remain invaluable in instructing Christians on how to handle their impulses and live holy lives.
Aligning with these biblical principles helps us develop habits that reflect our lives as believers and lead us into a deeper relationship with God, supporting spiritual growth.