It’s 2026 and Evangelicals still talking about masturbation. Think of all the things going on in the world today, yet Brittany Allen, a writer for The Gospel Coalition, thought it important to decry the evil of polishing the knob or ringing the Devil’s doorbell. According to Allen, there are four arguments people use to justify masturbation:
- ‘Masturbation isn’t mentioned in the Bible, so it’s OK.’
- ‘It’s OK as long as I’m not lusting.’
- ‘It’s not harmful.’
- ‘It’s how I abstain from sexual immorality.’
And it can begin a pattern of behavior that doesn’t stop with marriage. Many men and women who eventually commit adultery can trace their steps back to the unchecked sin of masturbation. If a person doesn’t learn how to control his sexual desire while single, he’ll still be prone to sexual sin when married.
Why would Paul encourage believers to get married for the sake of temptation if we could simply take care of our sexual desires ourselves (1 Cor. 7:1–2)? The logical conclusion is that masturbation is included in the biblical definition of sexual immorality.
While sex is a beautiful gift from God, the self-satisfying act of masturbation is a sin.
Allen believes that ALL masturbation is a sin. Worse, according to her, unchecked masturbation can lead to adultery. I would love to see a study that shows the cause and effect between masturbation and committing what Evangelicals deem sexual sin. Keep in mind that Allen comes from a religious tradition that forbids all physical contact between members of the opposite sex before marriage. Any behavior that arouses sexual desire is a sin outside of the bonds of marriage.
Imagine being a sexually aware teenager in your average Evangelical church. Sunday after Sunday you are told by your pastors and youth leaders that you must deny normal, healthy desires. You must do everything you can to avoid sexual arousal lest you commit sexual sin. And when your sexual urges are strong, you should hit your knees, praying that God will keep you from committing sin, including masturbation. If necessary, pluck out your eyes. Whatever it takes to keep from having a wicked, sinful orgasm, right?
Evangelicals have been preaching this nonsense my entire life. Allen knows her words will fall on deaf years, yet she feels obligated to school another generation of teens and young adults in the evils of masturbation. Allen thinks it important to enslave another generation of Evangelicals in Puritanical sexual repression.
The Cleveland Clinic defines masturbation thusly:
Masturbation is a normal, healthy part of your sexual development. It involves the use of your hands, fingers, sex toys or other objects to stimulate your genitals and other sensitive areas of your body for sexual pleasure. Masturbation has many documented health benefits. It may reduce stress, improve sleep and ease pain, among other benefits.
Normal. Healthy. Why is it that Evangelicals are against so many normal, healthy human behaviors? I spent most of my life in Evangelicalism, particularly the Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) church movement. I know firsthand how my religious upbringing and training deeply affected my sexuality. Did I masturbate as a Christian? Duh! of course I did, as do most believers, even though they hang their heads in shame as their pastors rail against masturbation on Sundays.
Masturbation is as normal and healthy as eating food. It is a sexual practice that is practiced by young and old alike — nothing to be ashamed of or feel guilty over. Masturbation is a safe way to find sexual release, which is essential to our health. It’s a behavior that costs nothing and harms no one.
Do you remember sermons about masturbation as a teen or young adult? How did your church, pastor, youth director handle the subject? Did you feel guilt after masturbating? Please share your experiences in the comment section.
Bruce Gerencser, 69, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 48 years. He and his wife have six grown children and thirteen grandchildren. Bruce pastored Evangelical churches for twenty-five years in Ohio, Texas, and Michigan. Bruce left the ministry in 2005, and in 2008 he left Christianity. Bruce is now a humanist and an atheist.
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