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Tenken07
13th November 2007, 11:30 PM
ooooooooooookay.

Ive got a few questions about lust.


lust is a sin right?
Is it still a sin to accept the fact that one has sexual desires and is attracted to the opposite sex?
when does that become lust?

Lust is described as intense desire for sex. So is it ok to have a general desire for sex, one that isnt intensely strong?

Ive been wondering about this because it seems that whatever was preventing me from committing sins of the flesh has gone away.

in fact, it went away instantly, and I was completely aware of it too.
When I first got saved, something always stopped the desires for sex, whether they were from me or the demons. But now, its gone, and im NOT proud of this. So consider this as a way of confessing this so I can finally be forgiven. anyway, back to the questions.

(ive never actually done anything with a real person by the way. I think my conscience would kill me. by the way, this is incredibly embarrassing, but I want to confront this to get answers and hopefully solve this problem)

is it wrong to like sex?
is it wrong to enjoy being attracted to the opposite sex?
is it still lust if you happen to look at a girl and think shes hot?
Why does God condemn us for having sexual desires when God himself created us hormones and puberty and a biological clock?
Heck he even commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and fill the earth. (yes I know they were married so its ok)

(I dont even feel comforting typing all this)

Ive done some research about lust and some say its a sin when its done intentionally, others say its a sin when your constantly dwelling on it, regardless of whether or not its intentional. and looking around at articles on the internet really isnt helping all that much because of the differnce in opinion.

For me, when I started accepting the fact that I have these urges/desires is normal and its ok to be attracted, the urges actually went away. Its when I utterly deny them that I literally get taken over. Sounds like it could just be Satan trying to win over me, but according to the doctors it could just be my subconsious finally getting some kind of release from accepting it.

So, please, post and give me some advice and opinions and scripture I feel like im totally screwed up here. I feel like ripping out the parts of me I hate and utterly destroying them, or throwing them into hell to burn for eternity, even though I cant actually do this.

These urges also feel more like im being controlled rather than an actual urge. I feel like ternally condemned or something, because were suppose to resist the devil, but I resist him and the stronger he gets and doesnt go away. what the heck am I suppose to do? Ive trying praying, ive tried studying the Word, ive tried the medication, ive tried casting the demons out, ive tried making a commitment to never do this again, ive tried making that committment with my eyes to never look lustfully again. NOTHING seems to work here.

daveleau
14th November 2007, 01:18 AM
Hello, friend. Lust is desire not accompanied by love. Lust has been diminished and relegated to something extreme, when it is much more common than society would like one to think. Love is also twisted by society to somehow be defined by sex, when sex is a process intended to be something that is the highest form of expression of that love. It is intended to be something unique in one's life and only accompanied by a life-long commitment with another. God does not condemn us for having desires. We are condemned due to sin in general, and once we are saved, we are not condemned but washed by the blood of Jesus. We are new creations.

Hormones are something that can be barrier for some- something to overcome in our dedication to God for the wonderous gift. Overcoming barriers because of our desire to follow the will of God is one mighty way to glorify God and show God and the world who we truly love. We choose to love God rather than to submit to our own desires of the flesh.

First, know what is the standard:
Rom 1:26-27 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rom%201:26-27;&version=31;) and Lev 18:22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lev%2018:22;&version=31;) tell us that homosexuality is contrary to God's desires

Second, what should we do:
Matthew 5:29-30 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%205:29-30;&version=31;) discusses us removing anything that tempts us. The intent is not to literally remove body parts, but to show the need to remove external stimuli that tempt. Get away from sin and things that tempt you to have these feelings.

Third, what do we do if we aren't strong enough:
Psalms 23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psa%2023;&version=31;), Colossians 1:11-14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col%201:11-14;&version=31;) show the power comes from God. You cannot do it by yourself. You cannot be happy without God. You cannot be fulfilled without God.
God gave us each other as a support network. Use those in your church to lean upon. Galatians 6:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gal%206:2;&version=31;)
1 John 2:15-17 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20john%202:15-17&version=31)- Avoid seeking sollace in the world, as the world is full of sin, and will only cause you to fail to meet the will of God. Be in the world, overcome the world, and avoid being of the world.


God saw fit to create you and desires to have you love Him and follow His will in your life for Him. He loves you, and wants to help you through this. He wants a relationship with you that is stronger than any relationship remotely possible with another person on earth.

Pray and dive into Scripture and then pray some more. This is the only means.

This is a great article that may help:
http://vcmagazine.org/vcm/article.asp?volume=7&issue=3&article=pluckouteye

seekHisMercy
15th November 2007, 10:47 AM
As I journey through this from time to time and understand more, my input is this based on what I know now and no opinion is given at any point.

God wants us to have and enjoy sex. He wants us to choose a mate and marry her/him THEN unload your desires with that person.

Lust is defined as an intent feeling and desire for sex with another person. Jesus said (roughly put) about adultery, to think it is to commit it.

Just this morning I heard on the radio(during a sermon), while on the subject of adultery that to glance at a pretty girl/woman and note her beauty isn't adultery lust or sin. To look again and desire her sexually IS.

My own research on this left me wondering some things. I found it ironic that the bible is strangely silent on what you do with yourself. However some believe that any sexual immorality or behavior of any kind that has nothing to do with making babies, is pure sin. I have to struggle to refrain from giving opinion on that.

I believe the scriptures tell you, as a single you can lust after a woman, but you better marry her if thats whats on your mind. The bible seems to indicate that aimless lust is a sin.

Tenken07
15th November 2007, 07:24 PM
ugh. I wish God made things clearer when he was making the bible.

I also with God never created sex the way he did, or at all for that matter.
wish he never made it enjoyable, wish he never made hormones, and I especially wish there was no such thing as lust.

I have quite a bit of hatred and anger for this subject.....

mlqurgw
16th November 2007, 02:40 PM
Lust isn't a strictly sexual thing. It is desiring anything: power, money, pleasure, etc, that isn't for the glory of God and the good of others. Lust is self serving. Lust makes the object of desire about me rather than about God. You can lust after your wife and it is lust. The difference between lust and desire is that lust seeks to fulfill my pleasure and not God's. Desire isn't sinful. We can desire to do the will of God and to glorify Him. Everyone struggles with lust of some kind. I don't say that to condone it but to face reality. Sin is present with us and in us even in our best state in this world. It helps to recognize lust for what it is. When you are feeling lust go help someone that you can gain nothing from. Instead of spending the energy that you would have on yourself spend it on others. It will become easier over time. You will find that focusing on other's good will take you out of yourself and the lust.