Should Christians go to the Beach?

[artybloke]

it definitely could turn into a problem.

Only if you stare.

Lust isn't about sexual attraction. It's about the urge to dominate someone else and have your "wicked way" with them.

You can't switch off sexual attraction, and I don't think you should want to; but you can control your urge to dominate.

 

[Proeliator]

Only if you stare.

Lust isn't about sexual attraction. It's about the urge to dominate someone else and have your "wicked way" with them.

You can't switch off sexual attraction, and I don't think you should want to; but you can control your urge to dominate.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary http://dictionary.reference.com/cit...l=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lust lust
sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.

Happy birthday, have some reality. Lust has nothing to do with domination, its all about desire. When your at the beach and think "Wow, she is hot!" there is nothing wrong with that. If the next thought is along the lines of thinking of her again in a manner dealing with attrtaction, then you are lusting.

 

[artybloke]

Lust has nothing to do with domination, its all about desire.

I'll admit I somewhat overstated it. But lust isn't "all about desire" either, unless what a married couple feel for each other is something other than desire.

It's about desire turned into a form of selfishness. It's about the desire to "possess" the other sexually (or in other ways - as in the lust for power). That's where domination comes in.

If the desire itself was a sin, the human race would have died out years ago.

 

[Proeliator]

I'll admit I somewhat overstated it. But lust isn't "all about desire" either, unless what a married couple feel for each other is something other than desire.

It's about desire turned into a form of selfishness. It's about the desire to "possess" the other sexually (or in other ways - as in the lust for power). That's where domination comes in.

If the desire itself was a sin, the human race would have died out years ago.

The human race did die out years ago, with Adam. The flesh is the flesh. It is a slave to its desires.That is why we, reborn, are told not to dwell in the flesh, for then we stay wrapped up in our desires.

 

[artybloke]

Sorry, but that's nonsense, and frankly has more to do with Gnostic dualism than the down-to-earth and very earthy biblical approach (see the Song of Songs for example). If I desire a peach, I can either have one or not have one; I'm not a slave to it.

Same with leering at girls. I can do it or not do it, it's my choice. And yours.

 

[encouraging loves animals]

Christ has given us freedom in a number of ways. A beach is a beautiful place. For guys it can be tempting, But they can control themselves if they want to.

Is not a sin to go to the beach. The Lord created this world for us to enjoy.

 

[jonpantomime]

interesting.

for me, self control is necessary. i am currently overcoming it.

if there was i would try to think something else, pray that god will cleanse my mind if some thoughts do penetrate. confession too.

sometimes i think both sides are wrong. like sometimes we try to ask girls to cover up while we dont control our thoughts as guys.

intention of going to the beach, to check out girls or just enjoying the sun.

sometimes i think that looking at girls, the first glance is ok, it is kind of normal with a bikini. all girls are the same. i try not to imagine anything else that may take place and concentrate on a task or something to do.

the best thing is to pray before you go to the beach. it will be something interesting. ask god to give you his eyes.

 

[artybloke]

If you meet a nice-looking girl, a part of your natural instinct is saying "is this person a potential partner for procreation?" (or sex, which leads to procreation.)

This would be true if you were a lizard, a cat or a human being and is perfectly natural. God created us with this instinct.

It only becomes wrong when it's inappropriate, when it's for someone who isn't your partner, or when you revel in it.

Lighten up folks. Admiring a beautiful figure isn't sinful.

 

[jonpantomime]

with regards to selfishness and desiring to have sex with the respect to power or dominate someone.

does this mean if a girl walks down the beach with a bikini or even nude. thats is completely normal?

so long as we dont imagine her naked in our thoughts and desiring to have sex with her?

i do think that is not lust.

i think that accepting for people are. like it is a norm but not having that desire or thoughts of her.

 

[Ave Maria]

There is nothing wrong with Christians going to the beach but we should try to be at least somewhat modest in our dress. I prefer to wear a t-shirt over my bathing suit. They also sell modest bathing suits. You can look at some here:

http://www.ohanaswimwear.com/

 

[Writer before God]

Especially for Christian men, is the beach really a good enviornment to be in?

Isn't it best to avoid the temptation???


What are your thoughts on this?


( I didn't get much of a response in the women's discussion).

My response is that I don't go to the beach (galviston lol)
For the reasons you suggest.

Mainly because I don't believe people of that standard are there..

The beach I go to there are either old people or alot of rocks to walk on.

I don't think the beach is bad at all and you should go It is a great way to spend time with your friends.

Just remember to wear Sun screen.

 

[Imaginosis]

Especially for Christian men, is the beach really a good enviornment to be in?..
Isn't it best to avoid the temptation???...

I spent some time in South Beach, Florida, a number of years ago and was bombarded with thongs and bare breasted women. Like the proverbial frog in the pot of boiling water, I started indulging in the lust of the fresh. Yes, sir, going to the beach, at least some of them, can generate a plethora of temptations. I avoid South Beach (aka "The Beach) at all cost these days. I can't think of any other place in America that so eptimozises the pride of life as "The Beach" does.

 

[Kvikklunsj]

I believe christians should never leave their houses.

 

[Kristin364]

I agree. God has made all this beautiful land and scenery...why not enjoy it? Like the other posters said - if it is a temptation, then don't go.

 

[artybloke]

I believe christians should never leave their houses.

Or breathe. Breathing leads to temptation.

 

[davedjy]

I believe christians should never leave their houses.

LOL Of course you can't. Too much tempation out there, these days.

God could never call us to minister to non believers on a beach, could He

 

[LightDancer]

I believe christians should never leave their houses.

 

[Argent]

I just make sure I have plenty of sunblock on anything that rarely sees the sun!

 

[whatfor]

I don't think I should leave the house, I live in a hot country, they wear very little to the shops and in fact anywhere.

I have no problem with looking, but not lusting after them.
Of coarse it is ok to go to the beach.

 

[DailyBlessings]

I think it's ridiculous that Christians feel comfortable in blaming sin on temptation rather than the sinner. Spurning creation for the sake of avoiding temptation- when it is our very nature to be tempted by just about anything, wherever you happen to be- seems a question of misplaced blame to me. Do we not pray to God to deliver us from temptation? If you do not believe it is possible to overcome temptation, then that prayer is meaningless.