"does masturbation really stop coveting as you mention..does it...solve the problem in other words? Or...does it perpetuate more sin? Is it the best technique to master the sexual urges?"

This is a very good question jsd. Very good indeed.

Because if the answer is that it only makes things worse then of course my whole suggestion that it offers a sourse of self-control falls down.

I don't agree with your answer though.

You don't stop one sin by committing another is true enough, but is masturbation really a sin? I'm still not convinced it is.... nor do I beleive it is defilement. You really have to go beyond Scriputre to say that it is unless you assume that it always involves the kind of lust that Scriputre condemns.

"Obey and be Holy and I believe God will help you control those cyclical urges without having to resort to defilement."
This sounds good, but the problem I have with it is that this was not Paul's advice to those who "couldn't contain" their passions. His advice to them was to get married. To exercise a godly form of sexual expression.

But if marriage can't help us then what are we to do?

Its not enough to say, refrain... because I don't think we can.

Blessings
Cat.