To lust or not to lust...

[Jethro Bodine]

I think you need to define your use of "lust" better. Afterall, lust is really just a "strong desire" for something. Many associate the word with sexual desire, but that's not the only definition and not every type of lust is necessarily bad or sinful.

You must have missed this post of mine:

Because I don't think eating bread or having sex are in and of themselves sinful. But to lust after them is.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I don't think there is a difference. This is a perfect example why human beings can only be saved through the intercession of Jesus Christ.

So every time you want a ham sandwich you're sinning?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

...human qualities in excess. Kinda makes sense.

Yes, it does make sense, because I'm pretty sure the human quality of wanting to eat supper and then doing that is not lust, but eating a whole cow for supper prolly is.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Lust is an intense unnatural desire to have what isn't yours.
.

But what if the whole cow in my above example is mine to begin with? Does that now make eating the whole thing for supper no longer lustful because I own it?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

so where is seven deadly sins listed at in the Bible? proverbs 6 list 6 things God hates the 7th is a abomination . sin is sin

Perhaps the key is that they are sins that lead to death.

 

[KevinK]

So every time you want a ham sandwich you're sinning?

It sounds strange, but yes.

 

[evenifigoalone]

But what if the whole cow in my above example is mine to begin with? Does that now make eating the whole thing for supper no longer lustful because I own it?

Sin in general seems to be largely stuff that is harmful to us or others. (Jesus and Paul say as much when they say that the laws exist for the purpose of behavior toward God and others.)
Eating a whole cow isn't healthy, and seems like I remember something about consuming humongous amounts of something in one serving could even lead to death? Or even just more than what is good for you, gaining weight and all.
90% of people in first world countries are technically gluttons.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

It sounds strange, but yes.

Do you think Jesus was lusting (sinning) when he became hungry after fasting in the desert forty days (Luke 4:2 NASB)?

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Yes, it does make sense, because I'm pretty sure the human quality of wanting to eat supper and then doing that is not lust, but eating a whole cow for supper prolly is.

No that is being a glutton

 

[KevinK]

Do you think Jesus was lusting (sinning) when he became hungry after fasting in the desert forty days (Luke 4:2 NASB)?

He had diplomatic immunity.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Sin in general seems to be largely stuff that is harmful to us or others. (Jesus and Paul say as much when they say that the laws exist for the purpose of behavior toward God and others.)
Eating a whole cow isn't healthy, and seems like I remember something about consuming humongous amounts of something in one serving could even lead to death? Or even just more than what is good for you, gaining weight and all.
90% of people in first world countries are technically gluttons.

Maybe instead of looking at it in a legalistic kind of way (x amount of this, etc.), I wonder if the intent of the heart is what lust is all about. Lust seems to signify a distorted and misguided desire of the heart for something that then manifests itself in the way it controls that person, leading them into an unhealthy preoccupation with that thing.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

Lust of the flesh can be anything that gets more of your time then God does. Another words something you makemore important then God. Yea there is the lust of others as in sexual.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

No that is being a glutton

Do you have to first be lustful to then be a glutton?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Lust of the flesh can be anything that gets more of your time then God does. Another words something you makemore important then God. Yea there is the lust of others as in sexual.

It's all kind of relative isn't it? I mean for some people I suppose three regular meals a day is still a far greater occupation of their time and attention than God is.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

I dont think so because some people just like to eat and eat just like thier family has for years. I mean some folks just like to eat and eat more then they should.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I dont think so because some people just like to eat and eat just like thier family has for years. I mean some folks just like to eat and eat more then they should.

So it's really what's going on in the heart, then, right?

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

It's all kind of relative isn't it? I mean for some people I suppose three regular meals a day is still a far greater occupation of their time and attention than God is.

I would not go as far as to say three meals is sin because they spend less time then that with God, but I would say they will be living a defeated life with hardly any time spent in the word and with God.....
Remember that old saying
One week with out God and His Words
Makes One Weak !!

 

[Obadiah]

Maybe instead of looking at it in a legalistic kind of way (x amount of this, etc.), I wonder if the intent of the heart is what lust is all about. Lust seems to signify a distorted and misguided desire of the heart for something that then manifests itself in the way it controls that person, leading them into an unhealthy preoccupation with that thing.

I read in a book loaned to me years ago (can't remember the title right now) that the type of lust condemned in scripture is a strong enough desire for anything that makes us put that desire over and above our desire for the things of God. So yes, I think that would say it's a matter of the intent of the heart.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

So it's really what's going on in the heart, then, right?

Well the lust part yea !! But just as out of the mouth the heart does flow. Lust is of the flesh but reflects the heart as well.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I would not go as far as to say three meals is sin because they spend less time then that with God, but I would say they will be living a defeated life with hardly any time spent in the word and with God.....
Remember that old saying
One week with out God and His Words
Makes One Weak !!

The point of which is we can't really identify lust by comparing it to the amount of time we spend on God centered things.

It seems lust can be identified by the sin it produces, but does it always have to do that in order for that lust to be considered sin?