Lust here to stay?
*** IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY THE SUBJECT MATTER OF SEX, OR LUST, PLEASE DISCONTINUE FROM READING THIS POST.
I had a friend say to me the other day:
Sex is becoming more of a popular public topic. In recent decades, more parents have been talking with their children about it, which has had a minor influence.2 Even with kids learning about sex and the potential pitfalls outside of a healthy Christian marriage, they are still doing it (yes, I see the pun). No matter what position you hold, lust seems to be a very real part of your life.
The battle of lust and sex doesn't just include a physical and psychological drive, it now has the label of healthy.3 So what is a person supposed to do? Arguing from the Christian perspective, I have heard two different approaches to this subject:
1) Premarital sex is a sin, that should be defeated. If you do fall victim to your lust, ask God for forgiveness. We have a choice in the matter, as God has given us free will. Sin is you using your free will to choose wrong, such as in the case of premarital sex. (Paraphrase)
2) Lust is a result of our sinful nature, and will be fulfilled. Our sinful nature is the result of Adam's fall, and not our own choice. We inherited lust and the desire for sex. We live according to the promise that Jesus is returning to wipe away all lust. Until then, it is only a delusional idea to think you can overcome lust in your sinful nature. (Paraphrase)
I understand there is some variation in this. For example, people who have felt that the Spirit of God has delivered them from that craving. I am giving two points of view from those who have not had that experience. There are many who fell like there is no way out, and left with the cognitive dissonance of wanting sex, and feeling it is wrong. Is this just a sick religious game, a battle that needs to be won, or a battle that will one day be overcame by God?
Comments are needed.
God bless,
Ryan
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1 Mosaic is the church I attend.
2 NPR article
3 WebMD article
I had a friend say to me the other day:
"If you think that people at Mosaic1 are not having sex, you are high."It really made me ask myself some serious questions. Is he right? Is lust a driving force that has to be fulfilled? Is the only hope, physical maturity? I have tried my hardest not to think about such questions, for it has only lead to despair. This really isn't a problem if I hold no believes that premarital sex is a sin, or a "cancer" eating humanity away. Although, that is what I was taught.
Sex is becoming more of a popular public topic. In recent decades, more parents have been talking with their children about it, which has had a minor influence.2 Even with kids learning about sex and the potential pitfalls outside of a healthy Christian marriage, they are still doing it (yes, I see the pun). No matter what position you hold, lust seems to be a very real part of your life.
The battle of lust and sex doesn't just include a physical and psychological drive, it now has the label of healthy.3 So what is a person supposed to do? Arguing from the Christian perspective, I have heard two different approaches to this subject:
1) Premarital sex is a sin, that should be defeated. If you do fall victim to your lust, ask God for forgiveness. We have a choice in the matter, as God has given us free will. Sin is you using your free will to choose wrong, such as in the case of premarital sex. (Paraphrase)
2) Lust is a result of our sinful nature, and will be fulfilled. Our sinful nature is the result of Adam's fall, and not our own choice. We inherited lust and the desire for sex. We live according to the promise that Jesus is returning to wipe away all lust. Until then, it is only a delusional idea to think you can overcome lust in your sinful nature. (Paraphrase)
I understand there is some variation in this. For example, people who have felt that the Spirit of God has delivered them from that craving. I am giving two points of view from those who have not had that experience. There are many who fell like there is no way out, and left with the cognitive dissonance of wanting sex, and feeling it is wrong. Is this just a sick religious game, a battle that needs to be won, or a battle that will one day be overcame by God?
Comments are needed.
God bless,
Ryan
__________________________________________________________________
1 Mosaic is the church I attend.
2 NPR article
3 WebMD article
Comments
Do not tell me that abstaining from sex is impossible - I have done it and I'm a 28 year old male. Do not tell me that you cannot wait for marriage - I am doing it. Sin is a CHOICE. GOD calls us to a higher standard of living.
"So, people who think they are standing firmly should be careful that they don’t fall. There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape." (1 Corinthians 10: 12-13) -GW
I am also 28, and I have not been as successful as you have in abstinence.
Not to get to graphic, but remember that the 'sex argument' includes masturbation, which is actually "sex with the self." If you have kept away from that, you have done something 99.9% of guys your age have not. You should thank God.
Love man,
Ryan