what does the bible say about masterbation

The Bible does not explicitly mention masturbation or directly address the act. However, key biblical principles and passages are often used to discuss it. The story of Onan in Genesis 38:9-10 is frequently referenced; Onan was punished by God for "spilling his seed on the ground," though many scholars clarify this was about his refusal to fulfill a family duty rather than masturbation itself. The Bible emphasizes sexual purity, self-control, and the importance of honoring God with one's body, such as the teaching that husbands and wives have mutual authority over each other's bodies in 1 Corinthians 7:4. Masturbation is often seen in Christian thought as either a temptation linked to lust (which Jesus warns against in Matthew 5) or a habit that might indicate a lack of self-control, a fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Ultimately, interpretations vary, but the Bible encourages believers to live in a way that glorifies God, practices self-discipline, and avoids behaviors that enslave or control them.