4. Masturbation reinforces "carnal-mindedness": Masturbation sets our minds on gratifying our sinful desires and in so doing we become "carnally minded." Paul wrote:

Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want Galatians 5:16-17 NIV

Carnal-mindedness destroys our life and peace and keeps us from pleasing God. Paul wrote:

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God Romans 8:5-8 NKJV

5. Masturbation brings you into deception and corruption: Masturbation opens the door to the deceiving influences of lust. Paul wrote about this deceit in Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV:

Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Embracing lust or sexual idolatry through masturbation will therefore hinder any progress we want to make in becoming the "new man" God created us to be (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our repeated practice of lust through masturbation will also bring about a "hardening" of our spiritual heart toward God (Hebrews 3:13). This could ultimately cause us to turn away from God completely.

6. Masturbation molds your mind into the world’s pattern of thinking: The world’s pattern is largely based on lust (1 John 2:15-17). Masturbation rehearses lust in our thoughts and reinforces it with physical pleasure. Using pornography or recalling sex memories while masturbating further ingrains the world’s pattern in our thoughts.

The consequence of embracing the world's pattern (i.e. the pleasures of sin), is that we will block God’s love from operating in and through us:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV

God wants us to no longer conform to the world’s pattern of thinking, but be transformed in our thinking:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

Concluding Comments

One of the questions that we frequently hear is, "Is masturbation without lust or sexual idolatry wrong?" I'm skeptical that this is even possible, yet for the sake of discussion let's say that it is. Masturbation clearly sows to the flesh and its desires (see point #4 above). God commands his followers to sow to the Spirit's desires and not the flesh's desires (Galatians 6:8). While it may be permissible for a Christian to practice masturbation, how could it be beneficial since it sets the mind on the flesh's desires (1 Corinthians 6:12)?

Overall, masturbation can rob you of many of the blessings God has planned for your life. If you are a Christian, you have an obligation, not to live focused on fulfilling your fleshly lusts, but rather, to live focused on fulfilling the Holy Spirit's desires (Romans 8:12-13). Masturbation poses the threat of lifelong bondage and a handicapped spiritual walk. Jesus was resurrected so that you also could live in a new life, free from the slavery of sin.