Is it a SIN to masturbate?
If it is wrong, is it the act or thought that is sin?

Q. What does the Bible say about a man or woman who masturbates? If it is a sin then how is the sin committed?

(Submitted by: Eduardo)

A. Your question depends upon whether you are referring to the Law received by Moses (1 John 3:4) or by a Christian's standard (1 John 5:17):

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. " (1John 3:4, KJV unless otherwise noted)

"All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." (1John 5:17)

The Christian standard is much higher because it is based on the spirit and not the letter. Christians are having God's Law written in their hearts (Romans 2:14-15) by God changing our nature.

" . . . for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them . . ." (Romans 2:14-15, NKJV)

In Matthew 5, Christ reveals even having wrong thoughts are a sin because it is a matter of the heart or love (Romans 13:10):

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28)

"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:10)

Since we are human (in the flesh), we all sin (Romans 3:10):

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10)

We ALL need to repent so Christ's blood and His righteousness stands in our place before God, and therefore, are sinless.

As we are in the flesh, we are not sinning by masturbating according to the Law given in the Old Testament. The Law only judges by the letter (committing fornication or adultery). As Christians, however, we should be growing toward perfection (Matthew 5:48) and stop sinning even in our thoughts.