Lust and what is not lust.

[wangalan457]

Jesus said that if you look upon another woman with lust in your heart you have committed adultery.

What about if you entertain thoughts of sexual intercourse with your wife who is currently in another country?

 

[Polycarp1]

What do you think God gave you sexuality for? That's not lust -- it's the purpose behind your being a sexual being in the first place. To desire your wife is not only not sinful but commanded -- virtually the first commandment God ever gave man, back in Eden.

 

[I'ddie4him]

I don't see where thats wrong. It just shows that you are normal and miss your wife.

 

[bliz]

There is a difference between "entertaining thoughts of sexual intercourse" with your wife, no matter how near or far she is, and lusting. Somehow, on this site and on others, any sexual thought has increasingly been catagorized as "lust" by some people.

All definations of lust have an element of obsession, or being out of control or craving. Sexual desire is normal and God given and that can turn into lust, but in and of itself, it is not. Sexual thoughts that flit across our minds are not lust. Going back and dwelling on them or replaying them, now that's another matter...

 

[startingover]

Thinking sexual thoughts is not wrong. It's wonderful that you still lust for your wife. If you think lustful thoughts about anyone else, that falls into sin.

 

[startingover]

If it is your wife that you are thinking sexual thoughts about, then that is okay. She is your wife. But if it is anyone else, those lustful thoughts become sin.

 

[Johnnz]

Lust



The word most commonly translated lust is for a strong desire or longing. It does not always have a bad connotation. For example, Jesus used this word when He said Luke 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:



There are three other word translated lust in the New Testament. They are used only occasionally, and then they denote unacceptable behaviour.



Sexual lust is an inordinate sexual desire that is also immoral. Normal sexual desires are not in themselves ‘lustful’ as some have already noted. Many male erections can occur naturally, or as a response to arousing sexual stimuli. How that response is directed will determine whether it is wrongfully ‘lustful’ e.g. watch pornography. It is utterly normal for a married man to think about sexual relations with his wife. The general male interest in the female body is not, in itself, ‘lustful’. It is partly cultural and also derives from those necessary hormones racing around in the male body.



Christians need to develop a keen sense of what is not sexually healthy. They also need to understand what is a normal, God-given aspect of our humanity. Otherwise, there may be constant guilt associated with something quite normal and healthy.



John

NZ

 

[livin4thebigman]

Man thats awesome that you have thoughts like that about your wife! Just to echo what people have said, just keep your thoughts focused on your wife and you're golden.

I know what you mean, at times I find myself thinking of my wife...its so great!