OT Polygymy and NT Chastity

[cimbk]

In the OT there is rampant polygamy, what really gets me though is that the polygamists were the ones closest to God: Abraham and David, etc. What I'm trying to understand is if it is sin to have sex with a woman before marriage (fornication) as well as adultery in marriage. How did the likes of David and Abraham get out of this law and marry numerous women (and have numerous other concubines, even worse). This has been troubling me lately. I have a problem with lust and I just want to see it as the sin that deep down I know it is. But when I read about these people of God (friends of God) in the bible and how they basically had another woman for every day of the month...How am I to reconcile this with "whoever lusts after a woman commits adultery"?

Can someone help me reconcile these things with the truth of the word of God, I do not doubt this can be done, I just haven't been able to do it.

Yes! Its simple become very wealthy and be able to keep alot of wives, having multiple wives cost alot of money, If you don't get rich, maybe you should simply buy your one wife multiple wigs, maybe even find a woman who has MPD multiple personality disorder, and you will have what you want.

But if you would like to figure out how to control your lust, its really easier than you might have thought, simply start rebuking sexual thoughts before you let them have a field day in your fantasizing mind. "Hold every thought in obedience to Christ" this is the key to getting free from lust, after a while (its really hard at first) it becomes almost second nature, and you won't let yourself daydream or visualize in any sexually immoral way. having a pure mind is the path to godliness, and if you ask God will give you one woman who will rock your world! and you will never look to another

 

[Christopher0121]

Rebuking sexual thoughts isn't the answer. The answer is focusing on walking in the Spirit and being conformed into the image and likeness of Christ. Be Jesus.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

With regards to the subject of "marital adultery" please review the thread: "Divorce and Remarriage (A Different Perspective):"

The subject isn't as cut and dry as one might think.

And what will I see there but a bunch of other people's opinions?

Besides, I didn't state in that post what constituted adultery in a subsequent relationship.

BTW

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Now, today we value monogamy and ooey-gooey marriage based on "love".

Perhaps what you meant to say was "romance"?

Marriage today is very different from most marriages in biblical times.

In some ways, but the flesh of mankind is the same today as it was then. One striking difference is that feminism has a stronger hold today than back then.

Let's realize that God tolerates a lot from mankind.

Except for sin...

Let's also realize that ethically and morally... we've come a long way.

Not necessarily in the right direction.

No need to repeat past mistakes... even those God tolerated.

If by that you're implying God tolerated polygyny, well, I'd have to ask for your proof.

BTW

 

[dayhiker]

Actually, the needing wealth to have a few wives is a myth. Today if each is working, it can be like a small commune where it costs less to live than each small group having to keep a big house going on their own.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Actually, the needing wealth to have a few wives is a myth.

You can say that again.

Today if each is working, it can be like a small commune where it costs less to live than each small group having to keep a big house going on their own.

Very true indeed.

BTW

 

[Lionroot]

Let's realize that God tolerates a lot from mankind. Let's also realize that ethically and morally... we've come a long way. .

I would take issue with that.

Three million abortions suggest something entirely different.

The divorce rate in the church says we do not care what God hates.


Man is just as depraved as he has every been, perhaps more so.

From my phone....
Rev 5:5
And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

 

[cimbk]

Rebuking sexual thoughts isn't the answer. The answer is focusing on walking in the Spirit and being conformed into the image and likeness of Christ. Be Jesus.

I see in the bible Jesus rebuking satan, if the thoughts are sinful, rebuking sinful sexual thoughts is right in line with walking in the Spirit, I find it strange that someone would denounce the advice of rebuking sinful sexual thoughts............this rebuking has led me to complete freedom from porn and masturbation for years.......are you completely free from these things?

 

[dayhiker]

I have no problem with rebuking sinful thoughts be they sexual or otherwise. Most of the discussion is around what does God call sinful and what does He not call sinful? For example about half the Christians who post seem to think masturbation is sinful. But they have yet to show were God says it is. So my takeaway is that it is sin for them but not sin for every one.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

I can't figure out how the topic of masturbation has anything to do with polygyny.

In polygyny, that activity would most generally not be a common practice at all anyway.....

BTW

 

[cimbk]

I have no problem with rebuking sinful thoughts be they sexual or otherwise. Most of the discussion is around what does God call sinful and what does He not call sinful? For example about half the Christians who post seem to think masturbation is sinful. But they have yet to show were God says it is. So my takeaway is that it is sin for them but not sin for every one.

actually it is in the bible, all over the new testiment, look for words regarding self control, purity, lewdness, lovers of themselves, youthful lust, uncleaness, consciences seared with a hot iron, impurity, sexual immorality,

Its pretty simple, if you can't stop doing the behavior, its an addiction, one that is sexual in nature, no addiction is of God.............It doesn't matter whether anyone thinks its a sin, addiction is not of God, its blatant lack of self control...........and every unbiblical christian that rallys for masturbation is a slave to this addiction, and is hoping all men are slaves like himself............THERE NOT! THERE IS FREEDOM IF YOU WANT IT!

 

[dayhiker]

Well, that is reading into the Bible something that isn't there! That's what Jesus got so upset with the Pharisees about. They made the traditions of man out as tho they were there commands of God!

God created me a sexual being. He said this was a very good thing He did. I rejoice in that creation and thank God often rather than deny His handy work. Its not an addiction, its the way the hormones work that God put in our bodies! Its basic human biology. If I believed what you believed, I've had to stop eating because I do that several times a day!

Yes, there is free4dom in Christ .. its freedom to be who God created me to be! God created me a sexual being. I don't fine self control, purity, lewdness, lovers of themselves, youthful lust, uncleanness, consciences seared with a hot iron, impurity, and sexual immorality to be speaking against God's creation. They are speaking against idol worship and greed in how I read the NT writers.

When I look at the history of the church, I find these ideas of denying God's good creation go back to the gnostics.

actually it is in the bible, all over the new testiment, look for words regarding self control, purity, lewdness, lovers of themselves, youthful lust, uncleaness, consciences seared with a hot iron, impurity, sexual immorality,

Its pretty simple, if you can't stop doing the behavior, its an addiction, one that is sexual in nature, no addiction is of God.............It doesn't matter whether anyone thinks its a sin, addiction is not of God, its blatant lack of self control...........and every unbiblical christian that rallys for masturbation is a slave to this addiction, and is hoping all men are slaves like himself............THERE NOT! THERE IS FREEDOM IF YOU WANT IT!

 

[cimbk]

Well, that is reading into the Bible something that isn't there! That's what Jesus got so upset with the Pharisees about. They made the traditions of man out as tho they were there commands of God!

God created me a sexual being. He said this was a very good thing He did. I rejoice in that creation and thank God often rather than deny His handy work. Its not an addiction, its the way the hormones work that God put in our bodies! Its basic human biology. If I believed what you believed, I've had to stop eating because I do that several times a day!

Yes, there is free4dom in Christ .. its freedom to be who God created me to be! God created me a sexual being. I don't fine self control, purity, lewdness, lovers of themselves, youthful lust, uncleanness, consciences seared with a hot iron, impurity, and sexual immorality to be speaking against God's creation. They are speaking against idol worship and greed in how I read the NT writers.

When I look at the history of the church, I find these ideas of denying God's good creation go back to the gnostics.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped[a] from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

 

[dayhiker]

great verses, cimbk. Thanks for posting them. It always amazed me how the Gnostics had such lusts to deny their Creator with empty words.

 

[cimbk]

great verses, cimbk. Thanks for posting them. It always amazed me how the Gnostics had such lusts to deny their Creator with empty words.

we'll see how it pans out for ya in the end

 

[Lionroot]

Well, that is reading into the Bible something that isn't there! .. God created me a sexual being.

Man is created in the image of God.

You may need to expound some. You are coming dangerously close to justifying sexual sin.

Adam was commanded to be fruitful and multiply. God does not command sin, therefore sex itself is not sin. However, there are still commands and the potential of sin in any act that disregards God's Law.

From my phone....
Rev 5:5
And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

 

[dayhiker]

cimbk,
Yup, God certianly has the final word.

Lionroot,
That's why I make every effort to obey God's law to love God and to love His people. I really desire to fulfill the law and the only way I know of is to love.

 

[cimbk]

cimbk,
Yup, God certianly has the final word.

Lionroot,
That's why I make every effort to obey God's law to love God and to love His people. I really desire to fulfill the law and the only way I know of is to love.

so is it your understanding that Paul was wrong and the list he gives for those who practice such sins in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 will not inherit the kingdom of God ..... is he in error? 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[a] nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

 

[dayhiker]

I believe that list as Paul originally wrote is very accurate.

I was reading the other day, that the Greek for that we read as righteous today was the Greek word that the authors of the LXX used to translate the word we read in the OT that speaks of God lovingkindness towards us. Since Paul and the other NT writes almost always quote the LXX (Greek OT) and not the Hebrew OT Paul may have very well been thinking, Do you not know that are unkind and loving will not inherit the kingdom of God? When we read the list that follows I see that it fits perfectly. Paul makes a whole lot of sense to me. I love Paul. I probably study Paul more than any other author of the Bible. But Jesus has my heart. That's who I thank for the great salvation I have.

 

[brightmorningstar]

A strange post dayhiker.
Paul was a Jew, he was trained by no less than raban Gamaliel, he was an expert in Jewish law. Remember that he preached what he received, not from man, but from the risen Lord, so it is bizarre to Paul makes a lot of sense 'but' Jesus has my heart. It is Jesus we follow, not Paul, but to follow Jesus we need to read Jesus revelation to us through all the NT writers including Paul.
Also, Paul being a Roman citizen, Paul had great credibility with non-believers when he preached as he knew Jewish, Roman, and Greek philosophy, culture and beliefs.