KitKatMatt
stupid bleeding heart feminist liberal
What do you define as a sin?
Anything that hurts (physically or mentally) or endangers a nonconsenting person.
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What do you define as a sin?
Anything that hurts (physically or mentally) or endangers a nonconsenting person.
That's why we don't agree on this issue. I believe sin is anything that goes against God's law or is not honoring to Him. In that light, lusting or giving in to lustful desires is sinful.
You just said sexual thoughts during nocturnal emissions means lust and that is a sin...am I reading that right?Sexual thoughts do not always accompany nocturnal emissions. When they do it is the lust that is the sin, not the wet dream itself.
Perhaps much of these is cultural shame. People start at a young age.I'm in the camp that it's not a sin in itself but lust is, and so that will almost always make it sinful.
I've read this entire thread (pat on the back!) and can't be bothered quoting everyone but here are some more thoughts:
- Conviction is a big indicator. Do I feel guilty after doing it? (And I don't think that is conditioning for me anyway - I was taught at school it is normal and it wasn't mentioned at home or at church) Would I be ashamed if people found out? Do I push God out of my mind?
It seems odd that no one in this thread mentioned the biochemical factors behind sexuality. Perhaps healthy people that have gone through puberty and have normal hormone levels are supposed to have sexual thoughts. It almost seems that some are considering sexual thoughts in a single person as lust and wrong. The above statement about sexual dreams perhaps being a preoccupation with such in normal thought seems odd, for a healthy person.- Nocturnal emissions: Of course we lose control when asleep but I believe our dreams and how we act in them reflect our daily worries/concerns/thoughts. If I have a sexual dream, perhaps I'm too preoccupied as such in normal thought. Not sure if we can sin when asleep. Ask a theologian!
Not everyone has spouses and not all people are able to physically have sex.our sexuality is meant to be enjoyed with our spouse
Anything that hurts (physically or mentally) or endangers a nonconsenting person.
Perhaps much of these is cultural shame. People start at a young age.
It seems odd that no one in this thread mentioned the biochemical factors behind sexuality. Perhaps healthy people that have gone through puberty and have normal hormone levels are supposed to have sexual thoughts. It almost seems that some are considering sexual thoughts in a single person as lust and wrong. The above statement about sexual dreams perhaps being a preoocupation with such in normal thought seems odd, for a healthy person.
That's why we don't agree on this issue. I believe sin is anything that goes against God's law or is not honoring to Him. In that light, lusting or giving in to lustful desires is sinful.
It is normal and healthy for people to think sexual thoughts. That is the way humans are designed. Why would that make you an unhealthy person? You statement is very concerning.I can only speak for myself as I only know my own thoughts. I think sexual thoughts too much. Perhaps I'm not a healthy person.
Having sexual thoughts is not the same as lusting. One can have sexual thoughts while lusting. One can have sexual thoughts without lusting. One can lust without have any sexual thoughts at all. In other words, one does not always involve the other. People think about sex and dream about sex all of the time.What's the difference between 'sexual thoughts' and lust, as I'm not sure they're different?
I'm struggling with this. I have had a lot of practically detrimental health problems for my entire 30 years of life here on Earth. I prayed many times since I came to Christ in 2008 and just this year have begun a huge transformation in my physical, emotional and spiritual health. I have lost over nearly 50 pounds just since February and my intestines (ok my whole body) is healing very fast now. My hormones are getting back to normal, and that in turn has caused me to go from practically no libido to one that seems to be nearly in overdrive.
I am not married, nor sexually active, and will only become sexually active in marriage though I am no longer a virgin, which I fully regret.
I don't feel I am addicted to masturbation because i can fully control when I choose to do it. Though it does tend to be a daily occurrence. I do not lust after anybody in real life, nor those from my past.
I do fantasize about a man whom I have never met, one I don't even think exists, and does not have a head (like it's blocked out, missing, like removed from a photograph via photoshop.) I know my fantasizing is all about my "carnal need" and none of it revolves around tender, chivalrous ideas.
But since there is nothing that talks about masturbation in the bible, and the lust aspects are directed at those whom you know are a real person, I am just trying to make sure God is OK with what I am doing, in my own time, in my own space, without harming myself or others.
Can someone help me by providing scripture that can validate or invalidate my line of thinking? I know praying to God is the best answer, but I am one of those people who need proof such as with the written Word.
Even though I'm a guy I understand kinda what you say when you think about a "headless" guy (or in my case girl). However, I still think its lust, just because its imaginary does not mean we don't lust after it.
Sexual Attraction/Sexual Desire are quite natural...especially in young adults. It is part of being human. To actually stop sexual thoughts while you are single, you would have to make biochemically changes to your body, this could cause other issues. To be single and asexual and then to turn on a switch and become a sexual being when married is not easily possible. I am not saying to have premarital sex. I am saying that it is unrealistic to try to turn off your sexuality just because you are single. If hormone levels are normal, sexual thoughts, dreams and desires will happen.
I think there is some confusion to what lust is. Some people feel that if they have a sexual thought or desire, they are lusting. That can be a dangerous way of thinking.
Well I feel like an idiot. I just found this site: biblestudytools[dot]com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/lust[dot]html and If this doesn't explain it as plainly as possible then I don't know what will.
So now am I not only feeling like a total failure at trying to live up to God's standards, but I have no idea how in the heck I am going to push through the ridiculousness that are my desires.
Dear Lord,
Please help me. Please guide me and help me remove these lustful thoughts and feelings from my being. I want to live for You. Please help me direct them into something useful, transform me and guide me to do your will.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sexual Attraction/Sexual Desire are quite natural...especially in young adults. It is part of being human. To actually stop sexual thoughts while you are single, you would have to make biochemically changes to your body, this could cause other issues. To be single and asexual and then to turn on a switch and become a sexual being when married is not easily possible. I am not saying to have premarital sex. I am saying that it is unrealistic to try to turn off your sexuality just because you are single. If hormone levels are normal, sexual thoughts, dreams and desires will happen.
I think there is some confusion to what lust is. Some people feel that if they have a sexual thought or desire, they are lusting. That can be a dangerous way of thinking.
uhm... yes. The way I view if something is a sin or not, is... would you be okay performing the act in front of Jesus? Like, Him standing right next to you lol? If your gut says absolutely not then it is probably a sin hah.
uhm... yes. The way I view if something is a sin or not, is... would you be okay performing the act in front of Jesus? Like, Him standing right next to you lol? If your gut says absolutely not then it is probably a sin hah.
OGM, thank you for posting. I'm not sure of your age, if that would even matter, but I'm trying to figure out how to reduce the desire I have since I have no valid way to alleviate it other than self-gratification.
I'd like to pick your brain. You made a very good point that I hadn't thought of. Having normal hormone levels at any age at puberty and beyond is likely to cause these sexual desires. I don't mind sexual attraction but it's the desires I want reduced so that I can at least concentrate on normal, healthy things other than those desires. Do you have any tips that work for you (I know you are male) that could possibly help me and others reduce the severity of the desires? I feel like I am 16 again and it's getting to the point that even when I see a picture of an attractive man on the internet (his face alone) I go crazy. I don't know if this is some kind of test or if it's not from God or it's simply one of those things that I have to learn to tame but I really have no idea how to tame this beast. I feel so controlled by it. The desires, not the self-gratification.