I think many people, indeed, are religious addicts--and because of the denial aspect of addiction are unable to see the intemperate nature and disordered expression of that. I do ABSOLUTELY think that there is (obviously) a healthy relationship with religion- and moreso that holiness is all about right relationship- with Trinity and with of brothers and sisters....most people don't want to do the work of growing in wholeness-and that, to me, is why the path to heaven is narrow.
Interesting and I agree temperance is a virtue and there is imbalance without it, however, seems some would say celibacy is a religious addiction too? Or do they really mean scrupulosity, its unclear to me that the difference is recognized? And adversely what would one describe as the opposite of scrupulosity? Isn't it also sin. Balance as you said is the narrow path. How is sodomy or any
Eph 5:4 also
baseness, and
foolish talking,
or joking (the things not becoming), but rather thanksgiving. - temperate? It is not.
Will you concede to:
Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Let it not be! But I did not know sin except through Law;
for also I did not know lust except the Law said, "You shall not lust." Ex. 20:17
So it would seem that Lust is sin:
Rom 7:8 But sin taking occasion through the commandment worked every lust in me; for apart from Law, sin is dead.
Yet some would seem to have us believe to have pleasure is not Lust and I could go along with that as true yet I must question if people know what Lust is as they have this uncanny ability to disorder their conscience and then holding that as truth as evidenced with believing that baseness and sodomy is a-ok.
Its unbiblical to desire Lust in the bedroom or to promote that by any means just for the sake of pleasure though having convinced oneself its then a-ok.
Rom 13:9 For, "Do not
commit adultery," (which Jesus said IS the same as Lust) "do not murder," "do not steal," do not bear false witness, "
do not lust,"
Ex. 20:13-15, 17 and if there is any other commandment, in this word it is summed up, in the words, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Lev. 19:18
Now I must ask, if ones spouse expects Lust or promotes Lust with baseness are they really loving their spouse or themselves as we're called? Now I speak from experience, though marriage is no longer my vocation, and the single state is also a vocation, but the obvious answer is NO it is not real love and is inherently selfish for the sake of gratification. The unitive aspects of marital union can easily become an excuse to Lust. Its false. Plain and simple. I guess some would say Jesus was a prude huh? Thats because His standard is not of this world but in that which we are called. Are we to conform to Jesus or to the world? Free will gives us the choice and its not religious addiction or scrupulosity to choose the former. It is that narrow path you speak of.
So you see true temperance comes through the Holy Spirit, not in how one may only think they are Lust free when actually they are not:
Gal 5:16 But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Sodomy, oral, anal, stripping, tempting of the eye, etc etc for the sake of foreplay as its called or to fulfill the lust of flesh is not in the spirit at all so how can it be called Temperance when there is no humility? An incomplete or imperfect virtue at best.
This is why the Church teaches the unitive nature of marital relations is a result of its greater purpose which is procreation but all to often people bring forth Children in Lust so then it's not hard to see why they are confused. They have it backward. Those who do so may not know God at all, they only think they do:
1Th 4:5 not in passion of lust, even as also the nations do, not knowing God;
Scripture says Lust can actually amount to idolatry:
Col 3:5 Then put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil lust, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
In short Lust brings forth sin and death:
Jas 1:15 Then having conceived lust brings forth sin. And sin being fully formed brings forth death.
As a celibate bachelor I have escaped the world in this respect. Not because my religion is imbalanced but because it is fulfilled and I have obeyed the Lord:
2Pe 1:4 by which means He has given to us the very great and precious promises,
so that through these you might be partakers of the divine nature, escaping from the corruption in the world by lust.
To say anything less would be to give into the pride of selfism:
1Jn 2:16 because all that which is in the world: the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Jesus said:
Mat 5:28 But I say to you, Everyone looking at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
You do understand this all would mean indulgence of the eye is Lust as well. Certainly not something to encourage ones husband to do I would think as that Lust may very well then be carried outside of the marriage.
Yet some have already committed that they prefer to capitalize upon the weakness of a mans eye, mistakenly thinking that is a gift (when its clear scripture tells us to mortify such a passion for the sake of the kingdom) and would rather their husbands not have the salvation of their souls in mind in the bedroom (clearly Lust) and it appears they haven't his either. Little
true love there sister. The flesh passes away in a short time but the soul is eternal. Which is paramount in importance? Its obvious ones hope is sincerely in eternal life in not of this world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away, and its lust. But the one doing the will of God abides forever.
Peace and God bless sister.
How proud we get of our snideness eh?
