Is lust a sin?

radhead · Apr 26, 2006

I've never been able to accept that it is a sin to commit lust. I've never felt guility about this so-called "sin." Not once.

Do people actually experience guilt over this? Why?

Is it really a sin?

How do you separate it from other types of fantasy, such as imagining that you are just talking to someone of the opposite sex? At what point does the fantasy become a sin, and for what reason?

The other person doesn't even have to be of the opposite sex. For example, you plan to meet with a friend for lunch and you imagine telling them something in advance, maybe it's even something ministry related.

Where do you draw the line?

bannaboat101 · Apr 26, 2006

radhead said:
I've never been able to accept that it is a sin to commit lust. I've never felt guility about this so-called "sin." Not once.

Do people actually experience guilt over this? Why?

Is it really a sin?

How do you separate it from other types of fantasy, such as imagining that you are just talking to someone of the opposite sex? At what point does the fantasy become a sin, and for what reason?

The other person doesn't even have to be of the opposite sex. For example, you plan to meet with a friend for lunch and you imagine telling them something in advance, maybe it's even something ministry related.

Where do you draw the line?

Well Lust comes a sin once you start thinking in your mind that Oh she/he is extremely hot and I just want to "Tap It." That is when it becomes a sin because you are thinking sexual immorality thoughts. Jesus said that once you thought the stuff you have already commited a sin. The Body isn't ment to have lust over you are supposed to respect becuase it is a temple of the Holy Spirit and God. It took me months to figure that out and I still struggle today because it is instinct as sinners.

Saucy · Apr 26, 2006

Johnnz · Apr 26, 2006

Lust is a sin. The real question is what is lust? If you equate sexual arousal with lust you will have some difficulty living with your sexuality. I hope to recognise there is a difference.

John
NZ

Danielof the Island · Apr 27, 2006

Lust is a sin, becuase it is a sexual craving. So long as it's not a sexual craving, it's not really lust as far as I know.

Cristiano · Apr 27, 2006

radhead said:
I've never been able to accept that it is a sin to commit lust. I've never felt guility about this so-called "sin." Not once.

Do people actually experience guilt over this? Why?

Is it really a sin?

How do you separate it from other types of fantasy, such as imagining that you are just talking to someone of the opposite sex? At what point does the fantasy become a sin, and for what reason?

The other person doesn't even have to be of the opposite sex. For example, you plan to meet with a friend for lunch and you imagine telling them something in advance, maybe it's even something ministry related.

Where do you draw the line?

We have to look at what we define as lust. Desire does not equal lust necessarily, but lust can be part of desire. Sexual fantasy involves lust. Imagining you are talking to someone is not sexually lusting after them. My opinion is that lust is a sexual fantasy for someone that creates a physical urge or desire for that person and your lust results in deriving sexual pleasure from those thoughts. Jesus said that if we lust after a woman, we have already committed adultery with her in our hearts. Period. That doesn't mean we aren't attracted and look. It does mean that when we say, "Girl/Guy X turns me on, I will now sit back and fantasize about what I am doing with him/her, and I am going to get off on that", we are engaging in a sexual act with them. Simply looking at pictures or movies does not necessarily mean you are lusting after that person tho...although we should not allow those images to enter our brains and corrupt our thoughts. Remember, it all comes back to us being Spiritual beings rather than beigns of the flesh. The Bible says the Spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh, and the flesh, what is contrary to the Spirit. Hope this helps.

DarkCloud · Apr 27, 2006

Lust is a sin. The real question is what is lust? If you equate sexual arousal with lust you will have some difficulty living with your sexuality. I hope to recognise there is a difference.

This is a good point. So far I have not come across a satisfactory definition of sex. To say sexual desire is lust...well, I then commit the sin of lust throughout the day, as would most men I imagine.

I think lust is probably more along the lines of desiring another man's wife.

Well Lust comes a sin once you start thinking in your mind that Oh she/he is extremely hot and I just want to "Tap It." That is when it becomes a sin because you are thinking sexual immorality thoughts. Jesus said that once you thought the stuff you have already commited a sin.

He was talking about adultery, which only applies if she's married.

The Body isn't ment to have lust over you are supposed to respect becuase it is a temple of the Holy Spirit and God. It took me months to figure that out and I still struggle today because it is instinct as sinners.

The body *clearly* has a biological sex drive. Therefore, I don't think having a healthy sexual attitude is immoral or impure; it is naturally the way God made us.

Lust is a sin, becuase it is a sexual craving. So long as it's not a sexual craving, it's not really lust as far as I know.

Too much of anything isn't healthy.

Cristiano · Apr 28, 2006

DarkCloud said:
This is a good point. So far I have not come across a satisfactory definition of sex. To say sexual desire is lust...well, I then commit the sin of lust throughout the day, as would most men I imagine.

I think lust is probably more along the lines of desiring another man's wife.

He was talking about adultery, which only applies if she's married.

The body *clearly* has a biological sex drive. Therefore, I don't think having a healthy sexual attitude is immoral or impure; it is naturally the way God made us.

Too much of anything isn't healthy.

We are not to live as sexual creatures, gratifying the desires of the flesh. That is reserved for marriage. If you think looking at a woman and thinking of the things you would do to her is not a sin, I have to tell you that is not Biblical. It doesn't matter whether things are specific in the Word or not. It is clear that we are a new creation, no longer living to gratify the sins of the flesh. Accept that and go from there.

goldenviolet · Apr 28, 2006

even as married i think we have to learn to control our lusts. sex and enjoying our spouse is very seperate from lust at times. i think lust is over indulgence of our sexuality. too much thought, too much action... it like everything in life needs to learn disapline. searching out the right and wrongs of ourself (the fear/ respect of the Lord ) is the begining of knowledge and wisdom.

Johnnz · Apr 28, 2006

Cristiano said:
We are not to live as sexual creatures, gratifying the desires of the flesh. That is reserved for marriage.

I agree, but there is still the issue of our God given, human sexuality. Single people are not sexless, nor are they meant to be. They will have sexual feelings, desires and thoughts, none of which are necessarily wrong.

As far as not satisfying the flesh goes we need to be careful here. Paul used the term flesh to describe our lives descended from Adam, our unfallen nature and its desires. He never implied that our natural functions were sinful because they were there. It is legitimate to feel hungry, tired, exhilarted, or sexual. Sin (or flesh) is taking any of those things and using them wrongly or inappropriately.

We must always keep in mind that sin detracts from what is Good. (Jn 10:10 to kill, destroy, steal). It has no creative powers of its own to produce any pleasure. Before mankind fell we undoubtedly were far more sexual and felt sexual pleasures even more intensely and deeply than we can now. That is the stance we must take in approaching sexual issues, identifying God's original designs as best we can and seeing redemption as the beginning of a recalmation of lost territory.

John
NZ

DarkCloud · Apr 28, 2006

looking at a woman and thinking of the things you would do to her is not a sin, I have to tell you that is not Biblical.

Well I disagree, provided she is single. The fact is, without sex I would have no interest in ultimately courting a women. (NOTE: I am not saying sex is what I base a relationship on, but it is a key ingredient and motivation. If I just wanted a friend relationship, I can just as well have male friends.)

It doesn't matter whether things are specific in the Word or not. It is clear that we are a new creation, no longer living to gratify the sins of the flesh. Accept that and go from there.

What do you mean by new creation? As in humans have only existed for a hundred thousand years and the earth is billions of years old?

goldenviolet · Apr 29, 2006

MOD HAT

we are NOT debating. SwS is asking for support in finding answers or encouragement through fellowship. some topics are bordering our debate rules. however, i believe we are trying to state our opinions and answer questions. i'll ask you that you do not continue to post your points on a thread. once you've had your say about it, do not return to post unless you avoid debating eachothers ideas.

wrong way to recovery post: 'hammering' points across or adding unnessesary comments...
right way to recovery post: relaxed and coversational...

let's keep SwS for fellowship and growth, support and encouragement. thank you.

Cristiano · Apr 29, 2006

DarkCloud said:
Well I disagree, provided she is single. The fact is, without sex I would have no interest in ultimately courting a women. (NOTE: I am not saying sex is what I base a relationship on, but it is a key ingredient and motivation. If I just wanted a friend relationship, I can just as well have male friends.)

What do you mean by new creation? As in humans have only existed for a hundred thousand years and the earth is billions of years old?

To answer the poster's question and not to debate:

Romans7:5-6 "For when we were controlled by the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies so that we bore fruit for death. But, now by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code."

Romans 8:5-11 "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. [...] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."

Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Galatians 5:16-18 "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. The are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

May his Word encourage you.

ascribe2thelord · May 1, 2006

Go back to the verses that supposedly criminalize lust:

"I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?" - Job 31:1
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." - Matthew 5:27,28

1. Job was married, and this promise is part of his being faithful to his wife. It is his way of ensuring that he does not commit adultery.
2. Here Jesus is giving instruction on holy living, not on not sinning. Because we who are born again are under grace not law, our focus is on being ministers of reconciliation to the world. Part of this is keeping our lives free of worry and corruption. Having a "crush" on someone causes us to worry. Likewise, if we want them for carnal reasons, that is corruption in the heart.

Jesus isn't banning lust. If any guy sees a girl about his age who's attractive and dressed provocatively, he's going to react lustfully--it may be for just a split second, but that's how it happens. Sometimes looking twice is impulsive. Don't confuse this as adultery in the heart, because it's not.

When you become totally fixated on that other person's body, and you're still looking, that's committing adultery in your heart. All sin is an act of the will. Simply put: After you sin, if the Holy Spirit is in you, you will know that you've done something wrong.

Akathist · May 3, 2006

Mod Hat:

I am closing this thread. This area of Christian Forums is a place for individuals struggling with wanting to stop some behavior, not a place to justify behavior or a place to debate the morality of it. This type of discussion could be started in Christian Philosophy and Ethics or in Ethics and Morality areas of Christian Forums.

Is lust a sin?

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