Posted on 02/27/2015 4:11:53 PM PST by xzins
It does not. “Being tempted” is not the same as “lust.”
Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, but without sin. I have to assume Jesus appreciated female attractiveness, but without lust (i.e. overwhelming desire to “consume.”)
Ah, great question, we could write volumes on this question discussing the many different aspects of the question and how they are addressed in Scripture.
If you will kindly indulge me...
Like money, it’s not the money that’s the root of all evil - it is the LOVE of money.
In other words, one is tempted to sin in order to get mo’ money.
Man is made in God’s image.
God said that each thing he created was “good”.
These concepts allow us to infer a great deal.
A woman’s beauty is most certainly not a bad thing.
This is where the Bible’s exhortation for women to dress modestly comes in; it falls under the category of: if something you do is placing tempation to sin in front of your fellow Christian - you are committing a sin yourself. If you love your Christian brother as yourself - why on earth would you want to be tempting him to sin ?
God gives blessings in spite of the fact that no man merits them.
Yes, married men have the blessing of being able to enjoy their wife’s beauty. It is a most wonderful blessing.
Like everything that we are blessed by God with, to have, to make use of, to enjoy: such as food, water, fire, clothing, money, friends, science, etc....
the Bible exhorts us to accept with thanksgiving, to use in the manner God intended, which would include concepts like not too much, not too little, WHEN appropriate, WHERE appropriate, to not take of these things that belong to others, etc., etc.
If I see that big dessert on the table, and I’m too fat to begin with, and I am absolutely full from my meal already, then can I perhaps not be gluttonous and stuff that dessert down my pie hole anyway ? I mean, can I control myself around food ?
Life is filled with challenges to moderation in how we conduct ourselves.
If we would sin against God’s commandments (he’s provides us with life, sustains us every second of our lives after all)...
so we (in sinning) might take or have or do some certain thing...
Then we have placed that thing in our personal priorities ABOVE God.
We throw God’s commands out the window and say - I want that sin !
It’s so easy to say I’m a Christian, that I love Christ.
Now, do I do as Christ commands me (follow God’s commands; heed his exhortations) ?
What do I do given that the Bible commands and exhorts me to temper my actions, or my words. Or my thoughts ?
What I do gives me evidence of:
who or what is really controlling me - is it my own fallen human mind and heart - or has God’s Holy Spirit come to dwell within me, as the Bible tells us happens when we are converted to Christ ?
Personally, I noticed in myself a 180-degree shift in my heart and mind. The old man died. Can’t ever get back to him, he’s dead. And YUCK - good riddance ! He was heinous ! A rejector of Jesus Christ, who professed Christ in complete ignorance and lived a profane life.
“In some contexts, consistent testimony to the truth about marriage may require clergy to refuse to serve as officers of the state by signing marriage licenses. Whatever courses of action are deemed necessary, the coming years will require careful discernment. All Christians and men and women of good will must work to rebuild the culture of marriage and live lives that attest to the joy and beauty of marriage. On this basis alone can we succeed.”
I think that this is the root of the matter. A great % of the general populace has been conditioned that the civil authorities actually define marriage. To them, of course ‘gay marriage’ can exist. It fits right into what marriage has always been to the state in the modern era. Simply a civil contract with benefits and strictures that can be broken and resumed between any parties the state currently deems acceptable. Pope Leo XIII warned about this danger 130+ years ago.
Freegards
:) yes. Blessings Mrs. Don-o how are you !!! I hope well...
[The Two Shall Become One Flesh: Reclaiming Marriage by Evangelicals and Catholics Together. Amen!]
Let’s take back the covenant of the rainbow while we’re at it!
The scriptures tell us if we fail in one point of the law we are guilty of all. So we are all guilty of adultery,murder , and sodomy. We can not stop sin with laws or civil actions. The answer to sin is the gospel,not ECT . “Be not unequally yoked “ means something....
Amen! Let’s take back the language. I make a point of using homosexual instead of gay.
Yea, verily!
Jesus told us that to show us that we could never be worthy without His upcoming sacrifice because of our sinful natures and inability to totally curb/resist them. It is possible to appreciate the beauty of a woman w/o getting down to the explicit sexual details and being mentally "obsessed with having your way with her (difference between lust and natural desires).
The biggest problem is that we tell the government that it cannot dictate morals and we turn around and attempt to do exactly that. I do not recognize homosexual marriage as anything sacred or beautiful and I'm pretty sure that God doesn't either. Those that do are fooling themselves and hurting their own souls. That they offend my sensibilities is not reason for me to become as hatefully rabid as those who push such immoralities upon us - God will sort it all out in the end and I am happy to allow Him that privilege.We can reach out to others who haven't been saved and maybe influence them with The Word/Good News so they also accept Christ into their hearts. We can tend to our own morality and our own souls. We cannot force anyone else to accept it no matter how rabidly we attack the "mote in their eyes".
The article was very good and spoke to the Truth. It is only really valuable in that it consolidates a specific topic for our perusal and reinforces those who believe the same. It is not likely to sway anyone who isn't already on the verge of asking Christ for His forgiveness and salvation.
“For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Salvation is not found in civil authorities.
We, however, have a responsibility toward the civil life (Romans 13). God has just happened to grant us a republican form of government with voting to establish our representatives and some of our laws. It is therefore upon us to work in that system for the best of the culture in which we are placed in our years on earth in the presence of Almighty God.
For what it is worth.. I never interpreted “wow, she is pretty” or “he is handsome” to a sin. I always thought it was the type of person (male or female) that were “after” the pretty/handsome little things. Lust in one’s heart is way different than “admiring” a pretty/handsome person from afar.
I also think it has to do with our actions involving the opposite sex. For example, I know some “not happy in my marriage” people who will team up with a group to go out on a Friday or Saturday night. A few cocktails.. a few close dances... I think it is pushing the envelope. I don’t buy the “I needed some fun with the girls” or “it was only a dance” excuse. It is trolling for some sort of excitement/which can lead to an encounter. I actually offered to babysit so the wife/husband could go out together for a spark. “He doesn’t want to go” or “he’s not into dancing” is what I hear.
There's a difference between looking at a woman lustfully, and simply admiring her beauty, just as you'd admire the beauty of a painting, a sunset, or a flower. The difference is important.
I believe Romans also tells us that ALL authority is ordained of God ... I believe we are living Romans 1 ..and my friend God is still on His throne and yes still in control
I don’t disagree with you, of course, but I have no idea what you’re driving at. Send me a freepmail if you can’t say it in the clear.
Chapter 23 of the Westminster Confession of Faith sums it up nicely.
This version has Bible proof texts with it, just click on the footnote numbers to see the proof texts.
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ch_XXIII.html
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.