Is Incest a sin?

[Lion King]

We should set the standard of sin based on what scripture says and not on our hearts. I do not think it is good to sleep with your own siblings. It is just culturally taboo. Lev was given to the people of Israel not to gentiles. But you also have to realize in the beginning there were fewer humans. I am sure it was common practice to marry within the family.

In my opinion, just like how the old ordinances of animal sacrifices ceased thanks to the Lords righteous work. That when the time came and there were enough people in the world there was no more need to allow incest. Its passed. It wasn't a sin and now it is a sin.

I am in complete agreement.

 

[Lion King]

Sis, Don't get the idea I'm anti-scripture.I thank God for it. I'm just pointing out that those who do not have it can still receive salvation. On that day of Pentecost , I'm remembering the Church added thousands without a single Bible.

They had the written (OT) and oral words of God (NT). We have the written words of God.

Same thing, really.

I'm pretty sure not a word NT scripture had even been penned at that point. And yet, they had the Gospel to share.
Now back to the topic: Do we (Christians)really need scripture to tell us right from wrong or are we indwelled by One who makes that known unto us?

Yes, Christians really need the Scriptures for instruction and correction.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

Yes, humans are inherently designed to know good and evil once they reach a certain age (Isaiah 7:15-16). However, that conscience of yours can only take you so far, you need the word of God to become complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 

[NorrinRadd]

We should set the standard of sin based on what scripture says and not on our hearts. I do not think it is good to sleep with your own siblings. It is just culturally taboo. Lev was given to the people of Israel not to gentiles. But you also have to realize in the beginning there were fewer humans. I am sure it was common practice to marry within the family.

In my opinion, just like how the old ordinances of animal sacrifices ceased thanks to the Lords righteous work. That when the time came and there were enough people in the world there was no more need to allow incest. Its passed. It wasn't a sin and now it is a sin.

Could you briefly give your view on the notion of "moral absolutes"?

 

[football5680]

Yes, Saint Paul condemned it.

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. (1 Corinthians 5:1)

We are no longer under the Mosaic law but it can still be used a guide to tell us what is wrong. The apostles have told us what is necessary for us to follow and Saint Paul condemned Incest in this instance.

 

[Rev Randy]

Yes, Saint Paul condemned it.

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. (1 Corinthians 5:1)

We are no longer under the Mosaic law but it can still be used a guide to tell us what is wrong. The apostles have told us what is necessary for us to follow and Saint Paul condemned Incest in this instance.

A guide? You mean it is not the Holy Step by Step Instruction Manual?
Silly me as I spent two hours this morning trying to find the verse on how to turn on my computer.
If common sense does not tell you, "Do not have sex with your sister' I doubt the bible will help you at all as you have bigger issues.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

A guide? You mean it is not the Holy Step by Step Instruction Manual?
Silly me as I spent two hours this morning trying to find the verse on how to turn on my computer.
If common sense does not tell you, "Do not have sex with your sister' I doubt the bible will help you at all as you have bigger issues.

Not everything can be left to common sense. And at least most ppl doesn't have sex with their sister because of common sense. Its really because they have no desire to. I never something I had to think about. I just never wanted to. However with a cousin its a bit different. Kinda weird. lol. Common sense, biblical knowledge and societal standards would come in there.

Overall I do not like the trend that you are taking. If you are narrowly applying it to this particular issue then fine. But if you are saying that common sense alone would let you know right from wrong and you don't need the bible to tell you that, then I would wholeheartedly disagree.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Yes, Saint Paul condemned it.

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. (1 Corinthians 5:1)

We are no longer under the Mosaic law but it can still be used a guide to tell us what is wrong. The apostles have told us what is necessary for us to follow and Saint Paul condemned Incest in this instance.

Ok so here is my question.

Do you then use parts of the law to help you figure out certain things such as this and then discard the rest. So I mean in this case, Paul does speak about sexual immortality. But Paul does not list in that instance what constitutes it. He does not need to. The bible in those times was the Old Testament which clearly talks about what constitutes it. So Paul did not need to spell it out.

Do Just as you have said, they would use the OT to help them determine what the broad sin of sexual immortality is all about. But in so doing, wouldn't you be adhering to those laws?

I always hear it being said that if you keep one of those laws it means you have to keep them all. I see that a lot here. If you keep any of those laws you are putting yourself back under bondage.

But isn't it obvious expected for us to refer to the Old Testament to shed light on some thing in the New Testament and vice versa? It is clear that there are certain things that Jesus and Paul did not need to explain or say because it was already known from the writing of Moses and the Prophets.

So I am a bit confused as to how we say its abolished, its no more, but yet refer to it when it is convenient as in this case.

 

[NorrinRadd]

Yes, Saint Paul condemned it.

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. (1 Corinthians 5:1)

We are no longer under the Mosaic law but it can still be used a guide to tell us what is wrong. The apostles have told us what is necessary for us to follow and Saint Paul condemned Incest in this instance.

No, he condemned adultery. The fact that it was within the family makes it all the more egregious a breaking of the covenant between the man and his wife.

I understand your view and a few years ago would have shared it, but my beliefs have evolved to a more libertarian / antinomian understanding of the New Covenant. We no longer need the Mosaic Law of the Obsolete Covenant. It served well to set Israel apart from the nations and to escort them to Christ, but it was abolished and nailed to the Cross.

What is your view on the concept of "moral absolutes"?

 

[sunlover1]

Sis, Don't get the idea I'm anti-scripture.I thank God for it. I'm just pointing out that those who do not have it can still receive salvation. On that day of Pentecost , I'm remembering the Church added thousands without a single Bible. I'm pretty sure not a word NT scripture had even been penned at that point. And yet, they had the Gospel to share.
Now back to the topic: Do we (Christians)really need scripture to tell us right from wrong or are we indwelled by One who makes that known unto us?

Hmm.
I was challenging your "I'm not a good man" confession lol.
As far as in days of old. They did hide His word in their hearts,
tied it around their necks, wrote it on the door posts and
studied it "day and night" that they might find success in
life.
BUT. We DO have Bibles now, and since we live by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God. I want to be able
to use all the words I can get my hands on, that I might
emulate God, saying, "It is written", that I might have
a lamp to light my way in the darkness, and that I might
find comfort in the long night.
Scripture is GOD breathed, and powerful. It's profitable
for so much. For correction, for doctrine, for training.
It certainly has been my compass. And Jesus seemed
to think that it was authoritative.
If I seem to love the Scriptures, it's because before I had
the Bible in my hands, I had no certainty about God's WAYS.
Scripture introduced me to Him in a more intimate way,
and my life has never been the same.
But yes, only God is good.

 

[Rev Randy]

Not everything can be left to common sense. And at least most ppl doesn't have sex with their sister because of common sense. Its really because they have no desire to. I never something I had to think about. I just never wanted to. However with a cousin its a bit different. Kinda weird. lol. Common sense, biblical knowledge and societal standards would come in there.

Overall I do not like the trend that you are taking. If you are narrowly applying it to this particular issue then fine. But if you are saying that common sense alone would let you know right from wrong and you don't need the bible to tell you that, then I would wholeheartedly disagree.

you may be misreading me. It is my assertion that Christians have the Holy Spirit. Common sense is not something we make. It is God given. The gentiles did not have the Law to instruct them and yet they who had believed were not out killing their neighbor just for kicks. Someone dwelling in them was guiding them.
To sin we have to ignore and dismiss that guidance. Just one of the reasons I see my own sin as grievous.

 

[Rev Randy]

Hmm.
I was challenging your "I'm not a good man" confession lol.
As far as in days of old. They did hide His word in their hearts,
tied it around their necks, wrote it on the door posts and
studied it "day and night" that they might find success in
life.
BUT. We DO have Bibles now, and since we live by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God. I want to be able
to use all the words I can get my hands on, that I might
emulate God, saying, "It is written", that I might have
a lamp to light my way in the darkness, and that I might
find comfort in the long night.
Scripture is GOD breathed, and powerful. It's profitable
for so much. For correction, for doctrine, for training.
It certainly has been my compass. And Jesus seemed
to think that it was authoritative.
If I seem to love the Scriptures, it's because before I had
the Bible in my hands, I had no certainty about God's WAYS.
Scripture introduced me to Him in a more intimate way,
and my life has never been the same.
But yes, only God is good.

As you have assess to scripture and are literate, reading scripture is wise.

 

[Stone Butterfly]

People who argue incest is perfectly moral are arguing their own sickness has rights in the eyes of God.
Pray for their family and especially the children.

Incest is a sin. There are scriptures in both the old and new testament that testify to this fact. Gods word is eternal. He is not a man so he can not lie.

When someone asks someone here to post scriptures that show God condones incest and the individual who is asked that claims they do not accept the Bible as proof incest is a sin, they are demonstrating the truth. That they are perverse in nature and false in self-titling themselves Christian.

They're liars. Mockers. And perverts. Period!
They claim they don't accept scripture that condemns incest, when it exists in old and new testaments, because they do not know scripture.

But God knows them.
And one day their sins will be accounted, when they are unbelievers standing before the throne answering for their falsehoods and their self-described faith on forums that did not exist in their heart.

And then they shall believe. For even Demons believe in Jesus and tremble. That's scriptural too. The incestuous don't know this.

But they shall.

 

[Lion King]

People who argue incest is perfectly moral are arguing their own sickness has rights in the eyes of God.
Pray for their family and especially the children.

Incest is a sin. There are scriptures in both the old and new testament that testify to this fact. Gods word is eternal. He is not a man so he can not lie.

When someone asks someone here to post scriptures that show God condones incest and the individual who is asked that claims they do not accept the Bible as proof incest is a sin, they are demonstrating the truth. That they are perverse in nature and false in self-titling themselves Christian.

They're liars. Mockers. And perverts. Period!
They claim they don't accept scripture that condemns incest, when it exists in old and new testaments, because they do not know scripture.

But God knows them.
And one day their sins will be accounted, when they are unbelievers standing before the throne answering for their falsehoods and their self-described faith on forums that did not exist in their heart.

And then they shall believe. For even Demons believe in Jesus and tremble. That's scriptural too. The incestuous don't know this.

But they shall.

Couple of questions, if you don't mind?

1. Where in the NT is incest condemned?
2. What would you say to those who claim that they are following Abraham's example by marrying their siblings? I mean, Abraham married his sister Sarah and begot Isaac - the progenitor of Jesus Christ.

 

[sunlover1]

Lot was a "strange" one. First, he offered his daughters to be gang raped. Then, he got drunk, blacked out, and slept with his daughters.

Perhaps all of this was according to God's plan? Moab, the child conceived through the incestuous relationship between Lot and his older daughter became the father of the Moabites. Ruth, the great grandma of Jesus Christ was a descendant of Moab (Matthew 1:5).

Anyway, have you checked the story of Abraham marrying his sibling (Genesis 20:11-13)? If it was sinful, why didn't the LORD rebuke Abraham for such a "heinous" crime?

King Solomon kept concubines.
Did God rebuke him?
Is it sometimes cool to keep concubines?

But still, why did Lot's daughters seem to
think that they should trick their father if
incest was all good?

 

[sunlover1]

As you have assess to scripture and are literate, reading scripture is wise.

But can it answer this question?
(OP)

 

[PROPHECYKID]

People who argue incest is perfectly moral are arguing their own sickness has rights in the eyes of God.
Pray for their family and especially the children.

Incest is a sin. There are scriptures in both the old and new testament that testify to this fact. Gods word is eternal. He is not a man so he can not lie.

When someone asks someone here to post scriptures that show God condones incest and the individual who is asked that claims they do not accept the Bible as proof incest is a sin, they are demonstrating the truth. That they are perverse in nature and false in self-titling themselves Christian.

They're liars. Mockers. And perverts. Period!
They claim they don't accept scripture that condemns incest, when it exists in old and new testaments, because they do not know scripture.

But God knows them.
And one day their sins will be accounted, when they are unbelievers standing before the throne answering for their falsehoods and their self-described faith on forums that did not exist in their heart.

And then they shall believe. For even Demons believe in Jesus and tremble. That's scriptural too. The incestuous don't know this.

But they shall.

I think the person who has the problem here is you. The OP is using Incest as a good example to point out a possible contradiction and address this issue. The OP is personally not in support of incest. So before casting your judgement you should read what is happening carefully.

 

[Grandiose]

Wait a minute, you need it spelled out for you that incest is a sin? Really?

Maybe we should just get a huge list of every conceivable thing that is a sin. That way, as long as we don't do any of those particular things we can be assured we are not sinning. Yep, that should work. Oh, wait, what's that? Been done? Legalistic you say? Well what then should we do, how can anyone differentiate between what is good and what is evil unless it is written down specifically on a big list? Preferably on something solid, like granite or something, I don't know.

Man, I hope someone can figure this out, otherwise we'll never be able to please God.

Maybe he could write it on our hearts, or give us a new spirit, or a model of perfection we can strive for. I know, silly idea, but what else could save us from ourselves? Otherwise we'll go on thinking incest is a wonderful thing in the eyes of God. Right?

 

[Lion King]

King Solomon kept concubines.
Did God rebuke him?
Is it sometimes cool to keep concubines?

Well, it's pretty obvious God allowed people in the OT to keep concubines and have many wives. If it was a sin back then, God would have said so in the Scriptures.

Infact, it was God Himself who gave to David, the wives of King Saul.

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! 2 Samuel 12:7-8

But still, why did Lot's daughters seem to
think that they should trick their father if
incest was all good?

Perhaps, because Lot would never have approved of such an act.

Ask yourself this, "If incest was evil, why did God create only two people (Adam and Eve) and command them to fill the earth?"

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:28

 

[simonthezealot]

That doesn't answer the question though? According to the Scriptures, is incest a sin today?

Of course it is...

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.

 

[Lion King]

Wait a minute, you need it spelled out for you that incest is a sin? Really?

Maybe we should just get a huge list of every conceivable thing that is a sin. That way, as long as we don't do any of those particular things we can be assured we are not sinning. Yep, that should work. Oh, wait, what's that? Been done? Legalistic you say? Well what then should we do, how can anyone differentiate between what is good and what is evil unless it is written down specifically on a big list? Preferably on something solid, like granite or something, I don't know.

Man, I hope someone can figure this out, otherwise we'll never be able to please God.

Maybe he could write it on our hearts, or give us a new spirit, or a model of perfection we can strive for. I know, silly idea, but what else could save us from ourselves? Otherwise we'll go on thinking incest is a wonderful thing in the eyes of God. Right?

I have already shown several examples where incest was allowed by God in the OT.

Incest only became an abomination before God at Sinai. However, since people claim we no longer live under the Law, is incest still a sin today?

The NT is silent on this subject.