As Christians, our lives should reflect purity, self-control, and obedience to God. While the Bible does not explicitly mention masturbation, it does address topics like sexual purity, lust, and self-control, which are closely related. These Bible verses help us understand God’s perspective on living a holy life and avoiding behaviors that hinder our spiritual growth.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Sexual Temptation
Guarding Your Heart and Mind
The Bible teaches us to protect our thoughts and desires, focusing on what is pure and righteous. Allowing lustful thoughts or indulgent habits can lead us away from God’s will.
Philippians 4:8
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Matthew 5:28
“But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Romans 8:5
“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
Proverbs 4:23
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Colossians 3:2
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Fleeing from Sexual Immorality
The Bible urges us to run from sexual sin, which includes any behavior that deviates from God’s design for sexuality. We are called to honor God with our bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:3
“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.”
2 Timothy 2:22
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”
Living in Self-Control
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and is essential for living a godly life. Through the Holy Spirit’s help, we can overcome sinful desires and live in obedience to God.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.”
1 Corinthians 9:27
“I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
Proverbs 25:28
“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”
2 Peter 1:5-6
“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness.”
Renewing Your Mind
The renewal of our minds is vital for resisting temptation and living in purity. God’s Word transforms us and helps us align our thoughts with His will.
Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Ephesians 4:22-24
“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.”
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
Colossians 3:10
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Resisting Temptation
Walking in Holiness
God has called us to live holy lives, set apart for His glory. Pursuing holiness requires avoiding anything that defiles our bodies, minds, or spirits.
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.'”
Hebrews 12:14
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23
“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
Focusing on Pleasing God
Our ultimate goal as Christians is to please God in every area of our lives. We should strive to glorify Him with our bodies and abstain from actions that do not honor Him.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Romans 6:13
“Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:23-24
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
Romans 12:1
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.”
Resisting Temptation
Temptation is a common struggle, but God provides us with the strength to overcome it. By relying on His Word and the Holy Spirit, we can resist and stand firm in our faith.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
James 4:7
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Hebrews 2:18
“Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”
Matthew 26:41
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Ephesians 6:10-11
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Focusing on Spiritual Growth
God calls us to grow in our faith and to reflect Christ in all we do. As we mature spiritually, we become better equipped to overcome sin and live lives that honor God.
2 Peter 3:18
“Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Colossians 1:10
“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”
Psalm 1:1-2
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”