• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

In Defense of Lust

Skwim

Veteran Member
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Lust

Lust

A strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature. Though used relatively infrequently (twenty-nine times) in Scripture, a common theme can be seen running through its occurrences. The word is never used in a positive context; rather, it is always seen in a negative light, relating primarily either to a strong desire for sexual immorality or idolatrous worship. In secular literature, the word indicates only a strong desire and can carry either good or bad connotations.
source

So if lust is nothing but a "strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature," how does it become Biblically immoral---a sin---and "always seen in a negative light?" I can understand why the Bible considers adultery immoral, but lust, which may have led to it, is nothing more than an unbidden psychological response, much like love, and laughter. Yet the Bible really comes down on it:

Matthew 5:28
"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." [adultery being a sin]
Personally, I think the Bible has overreached its condemnation here, much like blaming the messenger. After all, were it not for lust, "a strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature," the world would hardly have populated itself like it has, particularly after god's great flooding. There would be signs all over the place.

51cmH9IcOSL._SY300_.jpg
40281531362_ae2af639a7.jpg

Instead, we're getting signs like





39615755154_723f1ffa73.jpg




.





 
Last edited:

Stanyon

WWMRD?
If it weren't for primal lust I'd imagine most if not all of us wouldn't be here posting, the funny thing is whether you were a test tube baby, a "turkey baster" baby, or one made in the traditional in and out routine we were all but a gleam in at least one persons eyes at some point.
Lust is life affirming
 
Last edited:

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Flesh As The Sinful Nature

Most Relevant Verses

Galatians 5:24
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

Ephesians 2:3
Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Galatians 6:12-13
Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Romans 8:5-9
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Galatians 6:8
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Romans 7:5
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

9 Bible verses about Flesh As The Sinful Nature
 

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
Why is it only married couples need to value sex?

.

Sorry, I guess I worded that wrong. I meant, "as it should only be between married couples."

Women who 'sleep around' -- even among atheists -- are considered "sluts". (Unfortunately, there's not much of a stigma attached to men who do the same.) That's not a good thing.

If getting sex wasn't so easy (like if heaven forbid there was no beer, lol), do you think spouses might cherish their mate a little more, because their mate would be their only source for sexual gratification? I think so. I think that would encourage them to work harder at their marriage.

And the temptation wouldn't be there as much, either. (As it is, at times I have difficulty avoiding immoral thoughts...... I don't need to be bombarded with explicit images making me think about it!)

Keeping sex 'valuable', would only serve to make the family bond stronger, and the children would benefit.... I think God had that in mind, more than any other reason.

And, it's healthier.
 
So if lust is nothing but a "strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature," how does it become Biblically immoral---a sin---and "always seen in a negative light?"

Maybe people back then used lust specifically to mean something negative. Like domineering as contrasted to assertive. That it is always seen in a negative light might be tautological.

I've no idea how ancient Jews actually thought of the term, but it is quite possible that it didn't have the same meaning to them as it does to us today.
 

Srivijaya

Active Member
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Lust

Lust

A strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature. Though used relatively infrequently (twenty-nine times) in Scripture, a common theme can be seen running through its occurrences. The word is never used in a positive context; rather, it is always seen in a negative light, relating primarily either to a strong desire for sexual immorality or idolatrous worship. In secular literature, the word indicates only a strong desire and can carry either good or bad connotations.
source

So if lust is nothing but a "strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature," how does it become Biblically immoral---a sin---and "always seen in a negative light?" I can understand why the Bible considers adultery immoral, but lust, which may have led to it, is nothing more than an unbidden psychological response, much like love, and laughter. Yet the Bible really comes down on it:

Matthew 5:28
"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." [adultery being a sin]
Personally, I think the Bible has overreached its condemnation here, much like blaming the messenger. After all, were it not for lust, "a strong craving or desire, often of a sexual nature," the world would hardly have populated itself like it has, particularly after god's great flooding. There would be signs all over the place.

51cmH9IcOSL._SY300_.jpg
40281531362_ae2af639a7.jpg
Instead, we're getting signs like




39615755154_723f1ffa73.jpg




.





A bit of Olive Oil should sort that out.
 
Top