stovebolts
Member
Hi Lucian,I'm sorry, but I think there's a bit of misunderstanding in our discussion. I didn't say that the verse in question refers to people with disabilities. You said that "if someone is not able to sustain a marriage then it would probably be better if they stayed single". The apostle Paul says that it is better to find a spouse than to burn with desire. If we try to reconcile the two statements, we can conclude that the only thing left for disabled people who cannot find a spouse is... to burn with desire. What third option would there be?
I think I understand what you are saying.
Please don't think I am being mean with my description. What I'm about to say is not " nice" and we often avoid talking about people this way.
I have known this man for many years and we chat almost every Wed at church. This man is obese and has very poor hygiene. He sat behind us last Wed and my wife and I did not want to insult him by moving. His body is not only not appealing to look at, but it is failing him as well and it is getting difficult for him to walk.
His car is full of his stuff and the women of our church have cleaned his apartment twice only for it to fall back to its previous state, which looks much like this man.
He has an eye for women, and he has expressed to me his desires for a woman. And it is from this experience that I think I understand your question.
I don't really have an answer. He is mentally challenged but functions at a high level. He is smart and a nice guy. I would like to say women are repelled from him due to his poor hygiene, but this is something he can control, yet neglects. It works against his burning desire for sexual contact. But I have to assume it also protects him from the heartache of rejection I am sure he has experienced most of his life. I'm sure it's deep, and that means in his mind, its complicated.
I don't have an answer, none that isn't shallow or judgmental anyway, but I'm sure Gods grace is in there somewhere.