the bible does not say that masturbation is a sin

This is my firstdebate on this site and I have been looking for somewhere to jump in. I would like to point out at the start that I agree with Pro's statementsregarding the given passages of scripture. I think the interpretations areaccurate and have never liked using those passages because they are weak atbest to prove the point of the argument regarding masturbation. That is neither here nor there as the question is not whether or those passagesclaim masturbation is a sin, but rather if the Bible says so at all. I think bythe time we're done, the answer will clearly be that it most certainly is asin. As such, all I have to do is prove there is a passage or action relevant tomasturbation (i. e, a type of sin) and that the Bible does indeed claim thataction to be sin. Pro must refute all arguments or concede the debate. I would like to ask that only the King James be used so that we have a standardof comparison. I assume we are speaking of solo, self masturbation in this debate. But what ismasturbation really? I submit that masturbation is the imagining of carnalsituations and sexually pleasuring oneself. It is inclusive both of fantasizingand the physical act. I can prove that both actions are sinful and therefore,the act of masturbating is sin. My first bit of evidence is Ephesians, Chapter 4: 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Some words I would like to pull out of this text and define: Conversation, lasciviousness,lust, and vanity. I would also like to define imagination now for future reference. I will be using Webster’s 1st Edition 1828 Dictionary per 1828. mschaffer. com CONVERSATION, n. 1. General course of manners; behavior; deportment;especially as it respects morals. Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel. Philippians1. Be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Peter 1. 2. A keeping company; familiar intercourse; intimatefellowship or association; commerce in social life. Knowledge of men andmanners is best acquired by conversation with the best company. 3. Intimate and familiar acquaintance; as a conversationwith books, or other object. 4. Familiar discourse; general intercourse of sentiments;chat; unrestrained talk; opposed to a formal conference. LASCIVIOUSNESS, n. 1. Looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires;wantonness; lustfulness. 2. Tendency to excite lust, and promote irregularindulgences. LUST, n. 1. Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; as thelust of gain. 2. Concupiscence; carnal appetite; unlawful desire of carnalpleasure. Romans 1. 2Peter 2. 3. Evil propensity; depraved affections and desires. James1. Ps. 81. 4. Vigor; active power. [Not used. ] IMAGINA'TION, n. [L. imaginatio. ] The power or faculty of the mind by which it conceives and formsideas of things communicated to it by the organs of sense. 1. Conception; image in the mind; idea. 2. Contrivance; scheme formed in the mind; device. 3. Conceit; an unsolid or fanciful opinion. 4. First motion or purpose of the mind. Gen.6. VAN'ITY, n. [L. vanitas, from vanus, vain. ] 1. Emptiness; want of substance to satisfy desire;uncertainty; inanity. 2. Fruitless desire or endeavor. 3. Trifling labor that produces no good. 4. Emptiness; untruth 5. Empty pleasure; vain pursuit; idle show; unsubstantialenjoyment. 6. Ostentation; arrogance. 7. Inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride,inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments ordecorations. Fops cannot be cured of their vanity. Ephesians 4 speaks of not walking as other Gentiles in the vanity of their mind, vanitymeaning emptiness, fruitlessness, pointlessness. II Corinthians 10:5 states weare to cast down imaginations. I admit the context implies not being puffed upin arrogance, but if you continue the verse, you find a very interestingcommandment: Bringing every thought into obedience. Obedience to what? Christ. I Corinthians 6: 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple ofthe Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. This passage is speaking to Christians, specifically, but it still shows theexpectation of God, to glorify him in body and spirit, your spirit being yourmind. This sentiment is echoed in Ecclesiastes 12:13 where it claims the wholeduty of man is to serve God and keep his commandments. James 4: 17 Therefore to him thatknoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. So the vain thoughts leading to or involved in masturbation are clearly sin. Whatabout the act itself? As I said, masturbation is also the action, the physicalpleasuring of self. As defined, lasciviousness would easily encompass the act of masturbation. It is an indulgenceof animal desires, a primal need for sexual release. Lasciviousness is calledout in many places as a sin. Some references are: Mark 7:22 II Corinthians 12:21 Galatians 5:19 Ephesians 4:19 I Peter 4:3 And others. Therefore, while I agree with Pro that the passages submitted in support of the claim donot accurately label masturbation as a sin, there are many, many areas in theBible that state in no uncertain terms that it is indeed a sin, an indulgenceof the flesh and a vanity of mind. The Bible calls for us to make NO provisionfor the flesh (Romans 13:14) and to bring our every thought into obedience toChrist (II Corinthians 10:5). How shall we that are dead to sin live any longertherein? I await any refutations of my arguments.