Hey everyone!
I'm back, and I want to thank you all for your honest replies. I don't think I've sinned a lot when I look at what sins are. Though, I'm not sure whether I'm sinning by saying that. Most things that are considered things highly overlap my own morals.
Adultry is big on everyone, which is very sinful.
Do you mean that a lot of people do it or that it's just a very big sin, or both? It's impossible for me to commit adultery, since I have no-one to commit adultery against. However, I do know that if I had someone special, I would not be interested in someone else. I probably know what you're thinking. "Yeah right, that's what everyone says." But I honestly believe that. I agree that it's very wrong to lust after someone else if you already have someone that you are one with.
Things like sex/porn/touching yourself (this includes premarital sex)
Don't we need sex for reproduction? Or do you mean sex for pleasure? Is it wrong to have sex with your wife for non-reproductional reasons? If so, I don't understand why. Certain chemicals are released in your brain whenever you do, and it strengthens your bond with the person. It's also a way to express affection and love. Surely I do know that you shouldn't just have "random sex" with everyone, but what if it is with the one you love (possibly/likely married with)?
Also, why is masturbation a bad thing? Masturbation is said to be healthy. Not only is it good against prostrate cancer, but it also relieves one of stress and is as healthy as regular sport (perhaps healthier). And isn't health important for a Christian?
I'd love to hear your thoughts about this.
Ask yourself this, What are all the riches in the world, sex,drugs ect ect. If in the end you will just lose it. kinda means nothing for that little bit of sinful pleasure.
Wait. Drugs are sinful? Didn't Jesus create wine out of water?
Personally my ultimate desire in my life is to know God better and strengthen our relationship ( i tell you the truth it wasnt like that always..) God recreated me and let me see that my desires werent exactly making me happy. God provides all the desires ill ever need. Im sure people will chime in and help out more. Im hapy to hear this is weighing on youre mind, Sounds like Gods knocking on youre door
That sounds like a good desire.
Perhaps God is knocking on my door, and I'm asking everyone whether the guy behind the door can be trusted; whether I should open the door or not.
-------
Without knowing specifically what desires you are talking about, I am not sure one can answer this in context.
I wasn't talking about any desires specifically. I meant
all desires.
There are both good and bad desires. A desire for revenge is a bad one, a desire for a pay-rise is a good one. The things we have and desire are often eclipsed by what we use them for. Do we squander them, or are we fruitful with them? Do you horde money whilst others around you are in need and suffer, or do you give what God has blessed you with generously, so that they too may live like you do. Do you truly want what is best for other people or is your desire elsewhere. I think in general, you will be hard pressed to find a conclusive rule of thumb for desires, instead, we to look at what has been laid out for us in terms of guides, in the Bible, and act accordingly.
So it's the intention that matters?
-------
As for whether or not your desire for possessions is unhealthy, ask yourself if God asked you to give up something that you hold very close, would you? For me, that would be the computer, and while I wouldn't happily do it, I would give it away because it is God's anyway and He has given so much to me that I can't help but give something back.
I know what you mean. The computer is something I hold very close too. But there aren't many things that I have, neither are there many things that I hold close. I don't know if I would give my computer away for God. I can definitely live without it, but I'm not sure why God would want me to give it away? I got to admit that I use the computer a lot, but I could live without it. Just not at the moment, since I lack the stuff I would gladly trade it in for.
In summary if you didn't read the top part, riches do not shut people out of God's kingdom, but they can blind us to God's values. They often replace God in a person's life, and when they do, entry to God's kingdom is blocked. It's about realising that money is only a temporary tool that we can use to help others and further God's kingdom. We should use it but know it's place in our lives ... far behind God.
I did read the top part. Why wouldn't I read it? Thanks for the explanation. I think I know what you mean, and I agree with it. Far too many people care too much about their materialistic possessions, and it blinds them from seeing what truly matters: love.
When I was young, my mother told me that it was possible to be rich without money and possessions. When I asked her how, she answered that she had us (the family).
That's my two cents on the issue anyway and I know that many Christians may disagree, but I don't see how poorness = spirituality.
Well, I think if you don't have anything, you don't have anything to lose either. You can't be afraid to lose something that you don't have. That way, it would mean that it's easier to see other things, like God.
But no, I don't think poorness is equivalent with spirituality.
-------
Quote:
Is it sinful to have desires?
Not.
It's sinful to dwell on them, and it's sinful to resort to sinful measures to fulfill them, and it's sinful to have sinful desires (more than a thought: kick'em out)...
but desires themselves are not innately sinful. Jesus was tempted in the desert, yes?
Yes, I read that he was tempted by Satan.
Is it temptation if there is no desire to do what you are tempted to do?
Eh, I'm kind of lost here, but I think no.
There are loads of desires, my friend. This isn't something you can just make a list of.
True. Besides, it's more about the intention than the actual desire right? Desire for money isn't necessarily bad if the person who desires it wants to earn money so he can buy food and clothes for the poor.
-------
Ok lets first deal with the scripture that you are referring to in context.
Matthew 19
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
So the guy was asking Jesus how he could earn eternal life. He was asking Jesus what good deed or thing he could do to earn eternity with God. Now Jesus knew that there was nothing any human being could do to earn eternal life. The truth of the matter is that only by the gift of Gods mercy can anyone have eternity with God because eternity wih God is a gift given to those who believe the Messiah Jesus. lets go on:
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
This verse is an interesting one and it is used by those who seek to undermine the faith by claiming that this verse shows that Jesus was not God. But remember the guy who was asking the question did not know the true nature of Jesus to him Jesus was just a fellow human being like him. Jesus who could see inside that mans mind knew this and asked the question “Why do you call Me good? to get the guy thinking and then followed it up with the truth that Only God is good. lets continue:
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
Now there is no way that anyone can keep the law all their lives Jesus revealed that even if one looks at another person and daydreams about having sex with them they have already committed adultery. I can almost see Jesus eyes roll in his head at the claim of this guy. Now the next verse is very important, I have bolded the crunch word.
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Now Jesus is revealing that a person must be "perfect" to have eternity with God and He was revealing to the man that no matter how "good" he thought he was that he was Not perfect and had no hope of achieving perfection by his own deeds. Jesus selected the mans weakness, his love for money to reveal to him that he could not buy eternity with God through his own efforts. Now it is important that we continue for just a few verses more and we can hear Jesus reveal a great truth to his disciples.
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jesus makes it clear that it is impossible for a man to earn eternity with God. BUT with God "all things are possible". So while it is true that man cannot secure their eternity with God it is possible for God to secure a mans eternity with God. And that is what Jesus did when He gave his perfect life for the atonement of our sins and the sins of the rich guy who walked away from Jesus with great sorrow in his heart.
Thanks for clarifying that for me. I think I understand it now. It's almost exactly what DefinitelyMaybe said.
Read the Word of God for guidance on these things and let the Holy Spirit guide you. But know that you will never achieve perfection. We can fight the good fight against our own sin and resist it as best we can, but know you will never be Good while you are alive on earth. That is why we must rely on the atonement that Jesus gained for us.
But for the Holy Spirit to guide me, I need to have accepted Jesus as my Saviour, right? But to understand what I might want to believe, I need to believe. Hmmm...
Your questions are not spam. i believe they are genuine questions from a real seeker.
Thanks, but what is a true seeker according to you? Someone who honestly researches something to see what it is about without prejudging it, because it might be what he is looking for?
-------
Jesus said this to a specific individual in the gospel because he knew this persons heart which was they loved their material possessions and were obsessed with them. God knows everyones heart and intentions.
This doesn't apply to everyone because one needs to search what their hearts priorities are - is it material possessions or is Jesus first. Thus, what rules your heart? If Christ is - then God doesn't expect us to sell all of our material possessions to give to the poor.
He does expect us to give to the poor according to how much finances he has given us- and that may vary from season to season. Sometimes I can't give anything because I won't be able to buy groceries if I did.
I see what you mean, but what if your heart doesn't favour either of them? I don't know Jesus yet, so I can't honestly say that he's a priority to me. However, I don't care much about material possessions either. So I'm comparing ~0 against ~0.
-------
Thanks again everyone.
- EgbertTheFourth
I have to say that it sounds like God is convicting youre heart, trying to tell you some of the things youre doing are indeed sinful.. youre asking about desires, theyre are many Sinful desires in this world that people are decieived into beleiveing is indeed ok.. 
You have been a blessing to me personally and I am happy you are here. Your questions have made me reflect on many things again that i havent thought about in awhile...great discussion. 
