Is It Considered a Sin to Look a Man in the Eyes?

No it's not a sin and no your not.

brandynicole said:

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman?

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Yes. In our culture, to constantly avoid looking a person you are speaking with "in the eye" is often taken to be indicative of disinterest or even guilt (depending on what the conversation deals with).

You're fine, your intent is right. It's all about the intent.

brandynicole said:

I am a very shy and quiet person. Talking to new people makes me extremely anxious and I have to be careful not to come across as rude. So, I tend to look people in the eye to make sure they know that I'm listening. However, when I'm in church and a man is giving a lesson or greets me in passing I have difficultly concentrating. I never want to inappropriately behave or come across as seducing anyone.

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman? Am I causing my brothers in Christ to sin if I make eye contact?

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Not sinful. But not always appropriate depending on what you want to get out of the interaction.

brandynicole said:

But what if someone misinterprets my intentions? I don't want to live with the guilt of causing someone to sin. I try to dress as modestly as possible and I don't draw attention to myself, but I still feel shameful.

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Its actually nice how you try to not draw attention to yourself.

I like that, is very rare in women these days.

To your question - do everything in modesty, even the eye contact

brandynicole said:

But what if someone misinterprets my intentions? I don't want to live with the guilt of causing someone to sin. I try to dress as modestly as possible and I don't draw attention to myself, but I still feel shameful.

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Every last thing that someone might imagine cannot be controlled by you. In fact, it probably would take nothing more than seeing you across the room for some men to fantasize.

But there is a difference between merely looking the person in the eye when conversing...and flirting. Most people can tell the difference, and what you would be doing clearly is not flirting.

brandynicole said:

I am a very shy and quiet person. Talking to new people makes me extremely anxious and I have to be careful not to come across as rude. So, I tend to look people in the eye to make sure they know that I'm listening. However, when I'm in church and a man is giving a lesson or greets me in passing I have difficultly concentrating. I never want to inappropriately behave or come across as seducing anyone.

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman? Am I causing my brothers in Christ to sin if I make eye contact?

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It is in no way sin to look a man in the eyes, nor is it going to lead a man astray.

I's probably already been said bit some men are will get something out of eye contact that they shouldn't. I's just like women, or anyone who is desperate for a mate or whatever, they will see something that isn't there in that eye contact.

Your doing fine, and there is nothing you can do about how some react when you did nothing to get that reaction.

Oh, and some of that could be the poor souls never have someone to actually listen to them, so they could take it wrongly when someone does.

The OP reminded me of an incident from the life of St Ephraim the Syrian:

Bless you Such a pure heart. No sin .. up to you if you want to or not

brandynicole said:

But what if someone misinterprets my intentions? I don't want to live with the guilt of causing someone to sin. I try to dress as modestly as possible and I don't draw attention to myself, but I still feel shameful.

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I'd say if your intent is pure and the guy gets turned on then that's on him not on you. Course you might run into someone who really likes you too and you can tell a lot through the eyes.

brandynicole said:

However, when I'm in church and a man is giving a lesson or greets me in passing I have difficultly concentrating. I never want to inappropriately behave or come across as seducing anyone.

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman? Am I causing my brothers in Christ to sin if I make eye contact?

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Of course it isn't, Brandy. Why would it ever be considered wicked? Why would you ever be considered a seductress just for looking someone of the opposite sex in the eyes? Even if, say, it was a guy you might like romantically? If someone dared to tell you this, shaming you for merely making eye contact, then they are simply wrong, and killing basic human social kindness in the name of petty virtue.

brandynicole said:

I am a very shy and quiet person. Talking to new people makes me extremely anxious and I have to be careful not to come across as rude. So, I tend to look people in the eye to make sure they know that I'm listening. However, when I'm in church and a man is giving a lesson or greets me in passing I have difficultly concentrating. I never want to inappropriately behave or come across as seducing anyone.

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman? Am I causing my brothers in Christ to sin if I make eye contact?

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I avoid eye contact. The eye is the window to the soul. Some people have really dark souls. And some can take eye contact the wrong way. I prefer to look at the forehead, just above the eyes.

brandynicole said:

I am a very shy and quiet person. Talking to new people makes me extremely anxious and I have to be careful not to come across as rude. So, I tend to look people in the eye to make sure they know that I'm listening. However, when I'm in church and a man is giving a lesson or greets me in passing I have difficultly concentrating. I never want to inappropriately behave or come across as seducing anyone.

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman? Am I causing my brothers in Christ to sin if I make eye contact?

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Depends, I would say 99.99999% of the time, no it is not sin to look someone in the eyes.

Looking someone in the eyes is NOT in itself sinful.

HOWEVER, IF someone is told by tge Spirit "Do not look them in the eye" and the person told not to, does. That WOULD be disobedience, which IS sin.

Just as "eating from a tree" is not in itself, sin. Not even in the garden. It was eating of the one tree they wee told not to (disobedience) that was the problem... the disobedience, not the act.

That is why it is so important to abide in the Spirit and have the Spirit abide in you. So you will know what IS and IS NOT walking in obedience in your personal walk with Jesus.

God knows what He created us for, better than we think we know that which is good for us.... BECAUSE He knows us better than we know ourselves.... He knows what is fine for most people, but might destroy the individual.

Are you seducing? Unless in your heart you have intent to seduce... then no you are not.

None of us on here can know your heart, that is an issue you must take to God through prayer and listen for His answer.

My own opinion is, eye contact in itself is not sinful, nor is it in itself seductive.... but the intent behind it can be. If your heart is right, as it seems to be... you're good. Always search your intent not the act and maintain a clear conscience.

brandynicole said:

But what if someone misinterprets my intentions? I don't want to live with the guilt of causing someone to sin. I try to dress as modestly as possible and I don't draw attention to myself, but I still feel shameful.

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I think you're overthinking it. There's no need to feel shame - you're trying to do what is right by dressing modestly (as we all should) and you have the right attitude. Keep doing what you're doing, and look people in the eye

It absolutely isn't a sin to look a man in the eyes, it's part of normal everyday life!

brandynicole said:

I am a very shy and quiet person. Talking to new people makes me extremely anxious and I have to be careful not to come across as rude. So, I tend to look people in the eye to make sure they know that I'm listening. However, when I'm in church and a man is giving a lesson or greets me in passing I have difficultly concentrating. I never want to inappropriately behave or come across as seducing anyone.

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman? Am I causing my brothers in Christ to sin if I make eye contact?

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I remember being told by a person while sharing a conversation with them that I should stop looking/"staring" at them. (Sex is irrelevant) It's one of my regrets from the present because at that time I acquiesced. Now I believe I should of boldly told them to get over it, if you don't like what I have to say, just say so.

It's like the ignore feature on these forums.

brandynicole said:

I am a very shy and quiet person. Talking to new people makes me extremely anxious and I have to be careful not to come across as rude. So, I tend to look people in the eye to make sure they know that I'm listening. However, when I'm in church and a man is giving a lesson or greets me in passing I have difficultly concentrating. I never want to inappropriately behave or come across as seducing anyone.

Is it appropriate to look a man in the eyes as a woman? Am I causing my brothers in Christ to sin if I make eye contact?

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No, it's not a sin.
If you avoid all eye contact that can come across as you being dishonest.
Best to look between his eye to his ear and to his shoulder and back to his eyes, this way they can tell you are listening but without any prolonged staring at the eyes which is uncomfortable for most everyone. Its also fine to look away but try not to do prolonged looking at the floor or out the window as that indicates boredom. If its a study or a sermon and you have a book or a Bible you can also focus between that and his face, often the nose. I find that as a shy woman myself to be most effective.