To lust or not to lust...

[evenifigoalone]

I would agree that it's a lot about intentions of the heart, but if I recall scripture does mention sin in your life you're not aware of. What of this?

It's his Gin, he can do what he wants with it. If it's a sin, it's a sin you, but not to me. God searches the heart. Unless the man drinking the Gin had sinful intentions, all was doing was working on a killer hangover.

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Do you see drinking enough to get drunk as a sin?

 

[Gary]

Do you see drinking enough to get drunk as a sin?

No.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

It's his Gin, he can do what he wants with it. If it's a sin, it's a sin you, but not to me. God searches the heart. Unless the man drinking the Gin had sinful intentions, all was doing was working on a killer hangover.

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So what do we do with ....be of sober mind then ?

 

[Gary]

So what do we do with ....be of sober mind then ?

I don't believe that passage is referencing alcohol consumption.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

I don't believe that passage is referencing alcohol consumption.

It referrsto anything that will fog your mind or thinking

 

[Gary]

It referrsto anything that will fog your mind or thinking

Okay.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

From what I've read here in this thread, lust seems to fall under the category of idol worship.
Is lust a sin?
What are you lusting after?
What controls your life that separates you from God?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

From what I've read here in this thread, lust seems to fall under the category of idol worship.
Is lust a sin?
What are you lusting after?
What controls your life that separates you from God?

Yes. It seems to be the controlling nature of lustful desires that is the problem. Being out of control is the opposite of self control, a fruit of the Spirit. How do we restrain sin if we are out of control?

 

[Gary]

How do we restrain sin if we are out of control?

1 Corinthians 10
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.



We need to be sensitive to the prompting of the Lord.

 

[Obadiah]

I think what I'm seeing here is that a lot of the issue is in how the word "lust" is used. The brunt of the responsibility of properly understood communication lies on the speaker, not the receiver. At one time, back when scripture was just beginning to be translated to English, a lot of words like lust had different connotations than they do today. Maybe in the 17th century if someone said "I lust after God" it would be understood without question that the speaker was saying one of his main desires in life is to follow, worship, and love God. Today, the common use of the word has changed somewhat. Today a Christian might hear that statement and immediately understand what it meant, but a worldly non-christian's first picture in his mind when he hears that word will probably be of a sexual nature because in today's society we've given the word a primarily sexual context. The non-christian, or even a new Christian or one who has not had a lot of fellowship with other believers who speak this way, is not as familiar with the particular vernacular used among Christians and won't immediately understand it the way it was meant.

This is why we need to be careful in how we speak to or around non-christians if our goal is to be witnesses to them. Another example is "the flesh". How many times have I heard street preachers or other evangelists speaking primarily to non-christians use that term when they are talking about human earthly desires that are contrary to God. We understand it as a Biblical term because we've immersed ourselves in this rather unique dialect, but remember, the majority of responsibility for the message being understood is on the speaker. Much like with "lust", when the average non-christian in our 21st century American society hears the word "flesh" they think of something sexual and tend to limit their understanding to just that! We need to be careful to make sure we are properly understood. Even though saying "I lust after God" is perfectly acceptable and even commendable, I would not use that term today because I care that the person hearing my message understands it to mean what I actually mean.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

1 Corinthians 10
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.



We need to be sensitive to the prompting of the Lord.

Maybe it's just that we don't use the way God has provided.

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[evenifigoalone]

What about when the Bible mentions sin we aren't aware of and something about how it isn't counted against us if we aren't doing it willingly? Don't remember the verse, but I'm sure it's there.
But anyway, that would suggest that sin isn't just about intention, even if that is a large part of it.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

What about when the Bible mentions sin we aren't aware of and something about how it isn't counted against us if we aren't doing it willingly? Don't remember the verse, but I'm sure it's there.
But anyway, that would suggest that sin isn't just about intention, even if that is a large part of it.

Can't think of a direct verse that speaks to that right off.

Perhaps the better word to use in regard to lust is consequence, rather than intent. Lust is a problem if and when it leads you into sin. I can say I lust after various things that in and of themselves are harmless. But when that lust starts producing consequences that are harmful to me spiritually or physically perhaps that is the lust that is sin and needs to be crucified.

 

[Gary]

Maybe it's just that we don't use the way God has provided.

Proverbs 14
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 3
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

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[Gary]

Can't think of a direct verse that speaks to that right off.

Numbers 15
27 ‘And if a person sins unintentionally, then he shall bring a female goat in its first year as a sin offering.
28 So the priest shall make atonement for the person who sins unintentionally, when he sins unintentionally before the Lord, to make atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.
29 You shall have one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them.


I would assume under the New Covenant, that sin offering is Jesus and that anyone who is doing their best to walk in the footsteps of Jesus would automatically be forgiven.


That's just my take on it.
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[bluegirl]

I'm confident that our natural appetites are not sinful, but lust is.
So what's the difference between lust and the natural appetites of the body and soul?

There is no physical desire, although physical, that is sinful when directed in a true way. It's that simple. Desire either is for the things God approves or else it is directed at what he does not. If God approves your love relationship, then physical expression is not evil. If the relationship is not ok, then anything can be. That is how I understand it. This makes it hard to know what sin is since sin is not sex itself but the way it is used, and if that way is part of God's plan. God does approve we multiply and he created these bodies. The issue is whether we direct our desires as God wishes.

 

[Cturtle]

There is no physical desire, although physical, that is sinful when directed in a true way. It's that simple. Desire either is for the things God approves or else it is directed at what he does not. If God approves your love relationship, then physical expression is not evil. If the relationship is not ok, then anything can be. That is how I understand it. This makes it hard to know what sin is since sin is not sex itself but the way it is used, and if that way is part of God's plan. God does approve we multiply and he created these bodies. The issue is whether we direct our desires as God wishes.

So do you believe that sex prior to marriage is a sin?

 

[bluegirl]

So do you believe that sex prior to marriage is a sin?

I don't feel it is my place to judge others on this. For myself yes, outside of marriage it is a sin. I am married so I guess it is all well.

 

[Cturtle]

I don't feel it is my place to judge others on this. For myself yes, outside of marriage it is a sin. I am married so I guess it is all well.

Thank you for clarifying! I got confused by how you said things. Blessings to you!

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I don't feel it is my place to judge others on this.

I do. I know sin when I see it.

What I can't do is condemn someone for having sex outside of marriage.