Do you believe in reincarnation?

My biological father told me so many times before his death that when he dies, he would come back into this world. He believed one of us (i.e. his children) would give birth to him again, but my Sunday school teacher taught me otherwise, he taught me that there is nothing like reincarnation, so I decided to check what the bible says on the subject of reincarnation, and below are my findings:

 

The concept of reincarnation is completely without foundation in the Bible, which clearly tells us that we die once and then face judgment (Hebrew 9:27). The Bible never mentions people having a second chance at life or coming back as different people or animals. Jesus told the criminal on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43), not "You will have another chance to live a life on this earth." Matthew 25:46 specifically tells us that believers go on to eternal life while unbelievers go onto eternal punishment. Reincarnation has been a popular belief for thousands of years, but it has never been accepted by Christians or followers of Judaism because it is contradictory to Scripture.

The one passage that some point to as evidence for reincarnation is Matthew 17:10-12 which links John the Baptist with Elijah. However, the passage does not say that John the Baptist was Elijah reincarnated but that he would have fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah's coming if the people had believed his words and thereby believed in Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 17:12). The people specifically asked John the Baptist if he was Elijah, and he said, "No, I am not" (John 1:21).

Belief in reincarnation is an ancient phenomenon and is a central tenet within the majority of Indian religious traditions, such as Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Many modern pagans also believe in reincarnation as do some New Age movements, along with followers of spiritism. For the Christian, however, there can be no doubt: reincarnation is unbiblical.  

IS MASTURBATION WRONG?

The Bible does not discuss masturbation at all.  This seems a little odd given that Leviticus has so much to say about sexuality, one would think it natural that the subject would be covered.  But it isn't. 

Masturbation is not specifically declared to be sinful or not biblical.  Nevertheless, we must be cautious to pronounce something to be sinful or not sinful when God is yet to make such pronouncement. Therefore, we have to derive norms from Scripture on related sexual issues and see if we can wisely apply them to the subject of masturbation.

First of all, sex was created by God for procreative purposes, physical enjoyment, and the demonstration of intimacy between spouses.  In this context, the sexual act is intended to occur in a healthy marriage relationship between spouses in purity and holiness.  In contrast to this, masturbation is the self-stimulation to the point of sexual release without the gifting of a spouse.  It would seem that masturbation is a denial of the sexual design of God for couples.  But, is it sinful? 

Again, answering this question is difficult because the Bible does not pronounce it as sin.  Nevertheless, there is the principle of purity that is obviously true.  Does masturbation fall under the category of purity?

One can say this for sure.  If masturbation involves sexual fantasies and/or pornography, then it is certainly not pure and is very sinful.  The Bible clearly teaches that our minds are as important to God as our bodies are and that we are to remain pure in both.  Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart," (Matt. 5:27-28). Jesus is saying that thinking lustful thoughts is sinful.  Therefore, masturbation involving sexual fantasies (at least not of one's spouse) is undoubtedly sinful.

But this brings up the issue of a spouse masturbating while thinking of his/her spouse.  Is it sinful?  Again, since the Bible does not declare it sinful, can we?  I don’t think so.

Well! Let's say that a wife is incapacitated by an accident and is in the hospital for an extended period of time.  Is it alright for the husband to masturbate if he thinks only of his wife in order to relieve sexual tension?  Again, without a specific declaration of Scripture, it is difficult to pronounce it as sinful.  On the one hand, his body is not his own, and it is for his wife; and he is not to be mastered by anything (1 Cor. 6:12). But on the other hand, she is not available.  Would his masturbation be sinful should he commit it if he only thought of his wife?  I cannot say for sure. In fact, I don’t know the answer.

Then again, what if someone masturbates with absolutely no sexual fantasy of any sort in mind?  Is it then sinful?  Again, this is difficult to answer. But, since the Bible doesn't condemn or condone it, can we make dogmatic assertions? 

Furthermore, what if a person masturbates in order to reduce the sexual urge in an attempt to not commit fornication?  Certainly, actual fornication would be a sin, and masturbation would be preferable in this instance.  But does this mean that the person is being mastered by the flesh?  If so, then that would be wrong.  But, does it mean then that a self-release of sexual tension is then acceptable if it is to avoid fornication?  Again, since the Bible does not declare masturbation a sin, I cannot say it is.

Let’s look at one account in Genesis 38:9 some people often quote in order to validate their arguments about masturbation.

 The story of Onan in Genesis 38:9?

Some people incorrectly cite Onan in Gen. 38:9 who spilled his sperm on the ground, as a justification for masturbation, but this is a mistake because this story is not in the context of masturbation. The Bible says:

"And Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so it came about that when he went in to his brother wife, he wasted his seed on the ground, in order not to give offspring to his brother," (Gen. 38:9).

Again, this is not about masturbation.  It is about the failure of Onan to give children to Tamar, the widow of his brother, and fulfill his duty to raise offspring in his brother's name.  By refusing his obligation, he sinned, therefore, it cannot be confused for masturbation.

Conclusion

The goal of the Christian life is to be pure in thought and deed.  I believe that the issue of masturbation comes down to this.  Therefore, I believe that though masturbation under certain circumstances may not be sinful, the desire to be sexual, pure and holy should move the Christians to avoid it. I mean ONLY Christians.

Perhaps God did not mention masturbation in the Bible because He is so aware of our sinful tendencies, our situations, our difficulties, etc., and desires that we seek holiness and purity by seeking to master our own flesh.  If God had declared that it was a sin, there wouldn’t be any confusion, since He did not say anything in the Bible about masturbation, we would have to thread carefully and not be quick to pass judgement.

If, however, you are bound by masturbation and it has overtaken your sexual life, then you continually need to go to the cross and ask the Lord for help or you can pray and ask the Lord to provide you a spouse so that you would not fall into bondage of the flesh continually.

 Stay blessed until next time