Redefining Purity: Masturbation, Lust, and the Redemption of Desire in Christian Discipleship

Voxology

Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.7 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 26 November 2018

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How does the church’s approach to sexuality affect our understanding of purity, desire, and spiritual wholeness? Mike Erre and Kevin explore one of the most frequently asked — and often ignored — questions in Christian life: Is masturbation sinful, especially when done without lust? What seems like a clear-cut topic opens into a deeply nuanced reflection on the nature of desire, discipleship, purity culture, and the transformation Jesus actually invites us into.

This episode isn’t just about behavior—it’s about spiritual formation, grace, and reclaiming sex and desire as part of God’s good design. Mike candidly unpacks his own journey, parenthood conversations, and what it means to live with intention rather than restriction. From college students and singles to parents and married couples, this conversation is a compassionate, honest, and theologically grounded exploration that invites all of us to ask better questions.

Key Takeaways:
• The Purpose of Desire – Why sexual desire is meant to be honored, not feared or shamed, and how it points to something bigger than behavior management.
• Rethinking Purity Culture – Moving beyond line-drawing legalism to a vision of purity rooted in wholeness, love, and mutual human dignity.
• Lust, Masturbation, and the Heart – What Jesus actually meant in Matthew when he talked about lust—and why it's not about behavior alone.
• Parenting & Discipling with Honesty – How to raise kids with a healthy, grace-filled view of sexuality rather than shame-based restriction.
• How Accountability Can Go Wrong – Rethinking “Did you mess up?” accountability structures and shifting toward conversations on freedom, transformation, and identity in Christ.

Resources Mentioned:
• Dallas Willard – Teachings on spiritual formation and desire
• Richard Foster – Celebration of Discipline (book)
• Scripture Referenced: Matthew 5:27–30, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 6:18
• Past Voxology episodes on purity culture, side B Christians, and sexuality

Join the conversation on what it really means to be a redeemed, whole human being in a hyper-sexualized and shame-filled culture. Think we're wrong? Want to push the conversation further? Email us at [email protected] and let’s talk.

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As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, everybody, Mike here. Welcome to the Vox podcast. So glad you are tuning in, so privileged to be a
0:23.8	part, a small part of your life. Thank you so very much. Happy holidays. This is the post Thanksgiving
0:30.4	weekend podcast joined by my friend Kevin number two and who spent Thanksgiving in Florida, which is totally
0:39.2	unfair. Here it was shocking. It was cold and it was cloudy. But you were aware? I mean,
0:48.4	being here, you did something sweet on Saturday? I did. Yes, yes. Yes. What a way to be thankful than to see
0:58.4	your team unexpectedly scored the most points ever against, ever against Michigan in regulation.
1:08.1	I'm in Ohio. Obviously, I live in Ohio. I'm an Ohio State fan. I was an Ohio State fan
1:14.1	when we lived in California. So this is true and natural. This is no bandwagon. And this is the first
1:20.3	time Nate and I went to the game, right? The rivalry game. And it was, it was, it was exceptional. Oh my goodness. We won and it was glorious. And then the Browns won. And I mean, it was it was exceptional oh my goodness we won and it was glorious and then the browns won and
1:31.0	i mean it was it was crazy and kevin sad because he's a bengals fan uh and for those of you in
1:35.8	southern california those are professional football teams that are not as good as the rams all right so
1:42.2	so the bummer is I move.
1:45.2	Okay?
1:45.7	And then LeBron comes out.
1:47.7	And then now LA has two football teams, both of which are really good this year.
1:57.2	So it's just, it's not fair.
2:00.4	Today it is one of, if for those of you were wondering,
2:05.5	it is a beautiful Ohio fall day. And by beautiful, we mean it started out in the 50s and it will
2:12.6	end in the upper 20s. So, so excited about that.
2:20.5	Kevin, we have, oh, God, business.
2:23.4	I can't, I can't forget the business stuff.
2:24.8	First, for those of you who are listening to the podcast, would you do us a favor?
	...

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