One thing is sure: it can't be something that controls a person in any manner. An addiction to masturbation exposes it as an idol in a person's life. It has a place in the person's heart that should only belong to God. In some circumstances, masturbation can exist as a 'savior' in a person's circumstances. The person's attachment to masturbation is as such certainly sinful.
Remember also that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23), and that the Bible speaks a great deal about putting to death the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24, Colossians 3:5, Romans 13:14). While I do not regard the act of masturbation as a "work of the flesh" to be added to the list in Galatians 5:19-21, God has made me understand that being in bondage to this behavior, being addicted to it and dependent on it for something that it provides, contradicts walking in the freedom that is in Christ.
One's body must be kept in full submission to the Holy Spirit and consecrated to God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). It does not belong to any passions of one's flesh that will lead to death if they are not put to death (Romans 8:12-13; Galatians 6:7-8).
Also, considering that most people cannot conceive masturbation without the stimulation of sexual imagery, it follows that those who sin in their thoughts through what they are watching or imagining while they masturbate cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Such must draw near to God and cleanse their hands and purify their hearts (James 4:8). Even if they do not have what could be called an addiction, such would still be under the power of sin (John 8:34) working through the law of sin and death (Romans 7:23 vs Romans 8:2) rather than under the power of God.
Romans 8:5-6
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
Being under God's care and guidance, there is no need for an unmarried person to be driven by fear and engaging in sexual activity with anyone for the sake of proving sexual compatibility or assuring oneself of one's sexual performance. These are worldly concerns, not the concerns of a child of God with a renewed mind (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16b; Colossians 3:1-2). And of course, taking pleasure in unrighteousness through any form of sexual immorality is not a fruit of the Spirit but a work of the flesh that disqualifies a person from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-23). And those sins begin in the heart (Mark 7:21-23).
The discipline of keeping one's flesh in subjection cannot be ignored by any follower of Jesus who is a new creation who has been fully empowered through Him who strengthens him/her to do just that. It’s actually a life and death matter to not heed the instructions from the Bible to crucify the flesh.
Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.
If one desires the greatest intimacy with God, and a secure walk on the difficult way to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24, 1 Peter 4:18), that person must heed the instructions of the Bible and pay attention to walk according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and not be controlled by any cravings of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). May all this be understood before positions are taken for everybody on whether the act of masturbation itself is a sin or not.
Romans 14:23b
... Anything that is not done in faith is sin.
God supplies by his grace all the power we need to live for Him (Titus 2:11-14, Romans 6:1-2, 12-15, 1 Peter 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:2-11). So, his leading is not about suppressing one's natural sexual desires, which are vital in the context of marriage, but his grace is indeed amazing (video) in how it allows to live for Him!
For instance, God's grace allows to:
-resist the urge to release sexual tension through masturbation (and pray as needed for God to allow a strong sexual desire to naturally subside, even quickly)
-regard sexual deprivation as a non-issue, especially as an unmarried person, until the time appointed by God for lawful sexual union with one's spouse if one has been called to marriage
-say 'No' to sin, sexual or otherwise
-turn down enticements to lust after random people's bodies and entertain sinful sexual fantasies in one's mind
-consecrate one's mind and body to one's future spouse in honor of God's promise of such spouse (e.g 1 Corinthians 7:4 observed by faith).
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12 instructing us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
Lastly, those who regard masturbation as a solution and turn to it in a less than ideal
situation, either as a single or a married person (e.g. prolonged
singleness, physical separation from a spouse, illness of a spouse, etc.), may they be willing to submit to God, depend on Him and hope in his lovingkindness (Psalms 147:11, 145:19, Psalm 27:13-14) rather
than to take matters into their own hands and not fully involve Him in
every detail of their lives.
"Cast your burdens on the Lord" (Psalm 55:22; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 34:17).
James 5:13a
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
John 11:40
Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see God's glory?"
Hebrews 11:6
Now
without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to
God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.
Matthew 7:7-11
7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and
it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who
seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is
there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then,
being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more
will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask
Him!
Be in prayer about any situation you want to change.
Philippians 4:6-7
6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16
Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks,
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
See also:
Self-denial and taking up one's cross to follow Jesus (Mark 8:34) / Crucify the Flesh (video playlist)
Suffer The Cross To Overcome Addictions
Struggling with Lust? (Message for Men)
Freedom From Sin
A Radical Way to Learn to Fully Trust God - video
Standing In Position To Receive By Faith (guidance for prayer)
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