I agree with Kathi, there are issues here that cannot be thorouhly addressed within the context of a forum.
in that case, you should not have attempted to do so.
Not to mention, there is only one interpretation of the Bible
No there isn't, there are several...
but there are many applications; and based upon one's spiritual maturity and where they are in their walk with God the application may be different from Christian to Christian because God meets us where we are.
in that case, you should have made that absolutely clear, and that this application was from your POV alone, and not an absolutely 'written-in-stone, unequivocal, inarguable fact.
But, as we grow and understand what God's will is, then the Holy Spirit works in us to sanctify us with the Word and our thoughts, deeds, actions change to become in alignment with God's Will.
I can only presume you assumed you were in a sufficiently advanced state, in comparison to that of the OP, to feel qualified to make such a personal and individual interpretation sound like solid instruction, then....
Sex within the context of marriage is good. Sex outside of marriage is wrong because the Bible says it is. Although masturbation is not mentioned in the Bible, the act itself defies the original intent of sex as defined by God's word.
No, it doesn't. This is just a baptist supposition, because as I pointed out, you haven't shown anywhere that this is so.
you have therefore taken it upon yourselves as baptists to include it, for your own convenience.
I'm afraid you don't convince me. Not once, did I see the word masturbation in the context of sin, within the verses you quoted, regardless of which Biblical version you used.
I have always found it interesting that the original (or older) definition of masturbation is self abuse.
Yes. A definition coined, no doubt, by religious authorities who chose to call it this in an effort to control the masses.
Sex is the oldest form of recreational activity on the planet. Unsurprising then, that religion should chose this as a stick to beat people round the head with. Nowhere, in any Bible, do the words 'self abuse' appear together, in this context. or any other, for that matter....
Sex should go beyond the temporary pleasure of body exploration.
Why?
Who says?
Where?
Is it possible to golify God while masturbating using the Biblical intent for sex?
Given that God's never had sex, why should he enter into the equation?
If one is unmarried, where do the images to arouse oneself to the point of stimulation come from? Definitely not your spouse because you do not have one.
This is a strawman argument, and I have no idea why you've brought it up, or what your intention is.
Are you saying that whilst making love to your spouse, you would be focussing on God, somehow?
You're kidding, right?
When quoting Scripture, the entire context of the verse needs to be taken into consideration. Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How? need to be answered when reading paragraphs of text to gain a better understanding of what GOD intended for the reader.
Which at no point, you either did, nor did you clarify your thought process.
You just bundled 'masturbation' in there, and told the OP that this was a given...
God's word doesn't always agree with what I think. But, if I love Him, I will obey Him.
No, and your words are not always in accordance with God's but that's what you wanted the OP to believe.
At no point in your post, did you indicate that this was your interpretation, and your Point of View.
Which was misleading, deceitful and manipulative.
Think about what I've said, here, and see how you might have misled the OP into believing something, simply because you say it is, that actually is a debatable and moot point. ....
Just think about it....