I agree to this point and would like to add that "salvation" is a process/commitment that we live with till our death, not an event that transforms us at once and for ever.
>>��All this said, I have been myself troubled over the issue of masterbation. Although I cannot find it this morning before work, I believe there is a verse in the Bible wherein it is said that you should not allow "your seed" to fall idle on the ground. Other than that, I offer the following as the best Bible supported article I could find on this issue:
>>��Masterbation and the Bible
I have read this that's why I wanna add some points in the following para. that disagree to the basic principle as you promulgate.
The article presents two areas, at least, that is personally controversial.
(1) There should be no "thought-sin" in the Bible. (i believe it can be remarkable to say so, but please let me air my opinion to the end)
To take an example, Jesus did say: "(never even) looks at a woman lustfully". Undeniably, Jesus is referring to "adultery" that is a sin and God's standard SEEMS to be stringent and rigid in contrast to the law Moses inherented to the Jews, precluding any acceptance to even our thought that smacks of adultery. Ironically, God's blessing in Old Testaments, invariably befalls His People to have as many descendents as sands in the beach. Certainly their ancestors (as well as our ancestors) must have sexual inter-course which inevitably involves erotic fantasy to smooth such kind of activity, which, here, apparently doesn't infringe God's approval. (or else God is slapping his own faces because of his promise and his creation of our bodies to have lust for sexual inter-course to smooth off, so as to fulfil his promise "Jews will have as many off-springs as I have promised")
Haven't we ever considered Jesus's words' conflict with God's promise? As a believer, it is reasonable to think God's words should never conflict. (God certainly should not condemn our reproductive activities when he himself creates this) So, Jesus's words should come in consequential implication. "Looking at a woman lustfully" is certainly an opening door to Satan for him to come in, BEFORE adultery is actualized. God loves us. Jesus places much emphasis on this to provide the Jews with a method to avoid adultery. His emphasis is on the consequence that "looking at a woman lustfully" MAY bring about. It is NOT A COMMANDMENT to tell us to gouge out our eyes and cut off our arms, and even think lusfully. (if we are not allowed to think lustfully, how do we sexually inter-course to give birth to our off-springs? Isn't it ridiculous? Aren't all couples sinning? So it sounds equally heresy to me when a lot of Christians argue that sexual lives of Christians can go "with ecstasy but without lust" because experience tells us that it is not possible)
(2) when we're back to masterbation, it is certainly reasonably arguable that we can't masterbate without illicit fantasy or erotic imagination (or else it is not "masterbation" but it is called "intentionally fuzzing about our reproductive organs". I am pretty sure (I believe very few people can argue against me) masterbation is not successful without lustful mind. It is against the natural law of biology.
Though it is impossible masterbation can go without illicit fantasy, it is understandable that God allows masterbation as part of our lives. (as mentioned in the Article that you have recommended), so it can be reasonably inferred, that Jesus's words on adultery has consequential implication, NOT A commandment.
Therefore, personally, all so-called "thought-sin" in the bible, as far as the Christians are concerned, is not a commandment. It is a GUIDELINE, how to do away from the sins, which keep us from fulfiling the two greatest commandments and putting ourselves right with the Lord.
If they can read the Bible ON THE WHOLE, but NOT WORDS-BY-WORDS, they will agree to my stance.