Is touching yourself a sin?

[gtsecc]

Is it?

 

[Orthosdoxa]

Masturbation takes what is supposed to be an act of self-giving and surrender and turns it into something that totally focuses on self, self, self. This is never glorifying to God.

I suppose some will argue one side or the other in here. But fact is, it doesn't glorify God. It merely satisfies (momentarily) and then feeds the passions, something that we Orthodox Christians believe in struggling against mightily.

So there's my answer.

 

[jkotinek]

Is it?

My response here.

We've also had an in-depth conversation on this topic.

 

[SaintGeorge]

It definitely is a sin, one that I and many other teenagers are frequently guilty of. Masturbation isn't only a physical action, but also a mental and spiritual one.

​

Any imaginings that cause sexual arrousal are sinful​

I tend to have these imaginings quite often, but I'm slowly breaking the habit. The best thing to do is to try and shake off these perverse fantasies as soon as they pop into your head.​

 

[brightlights]

I was once addicted to pornography and masturbation but God has set me free. It is definately a sin. We worship a false idol when we touch.