So, what do you do with it? One side of our world says to do whatever you want. It doesn't really matter. Then, for some of us who are Christ-followers, we have another community around us that has opinions about how to deal with our sexual desires. In my experiences, that community often strives to give us lots of "NO's", but doesn't often speak to the reality of the intensity of our urges.One author that, I believe, writes with more clarity than almost any other I have found is Brad Watson, a pastor, and an author of the book Is It Lust or Legalism. He wrote an article in Charisma Magazine that gives a taste of what God taught him on this subject. Check it out here: Is It Lust or Legalism?
I'd like to get some dialogue running about Brad's article.
After reading Brad's article, here are some questions I think that are worth exploring:
Is this practical?
Is Watson giving too much freedom to our thoughts?
Is Watson's advice similar or different to what you've been taught elsewhere?
Do you think he's right?
Should we even care about this stuff?
Hi Mr. Maechner its Raiyah 1st period english ! This is a topic that i struggle with not only in old testament but in english too! Like at first when Mr. Cambell said "thinking sexual thoughts is a sin". Then you said " you can't help what you think, It's only if you act on it". It's really confusing so im going to go with both of your statements and say we should care because ether way it's a sin!
ReplyDeleteThe challenge is to find a middle ground. Some Christians don't care what God thinks that much so they think anything sexual is fine. Yet, others call everything sin, even when it's not. Both are damaging. I fell under the second for a long time. I created way too much anxiety for myself because I was taught that all sexual feelings and thoughts were sinful. I eventually learned that, yes, I need to manage my thoughts, but what I actually "do" is the real deal. God is not surprised by our urges. He put them there. Of course, this is no license to think and do whatever. I like what Paul said in Ephesians, "Find out what pleases the Lord." I think that's for each of us individually and it may look differently for each of us too, depending on our differences, our struggles, our pasts, and so on.
DeleteI think that Watson made a lot of Biblical and valid points that helped me understand the difference between lust and attraction better. Even though it may be hard for teenagers to refrain from sexual temptations, if you have God and are living a Christian lifestyle it should help with the temptations and hopefully lead you on the right path. Also, God is the one who created the power of sexual attraction so He shouldn't be offended or upset with the idea of it(as said in the article)and it's not something that we should be ashamed about. "Sexual desire is not evil in itself. It's what one does with that desire that ultimately reveals what is truly in the heart." -Madison Herwerden/1st period
ReplyDeleteI think sexual attraction is okay as long as you truly love the person. If you only feel sexual attraction for someone, it isn't love and isn't right. If you're actually in love, this might just be one of the feelings that goes along with it.
ReplyDelete-Alex Kazimer/10th period
i think that lust is put there for a reason. God knows that we are sinners and we have those feelings and thoughts. i believe that lust and attraction are two different things. i also think that attraction is for the eyes and not the body. - Lindsie Drum 11th period
ReplyDeleteI think lust is okay because lust is feeling you have. e time you cannot just get away from lust. Overall i think lust is a okay thing
ReplyDelete-Kanje Armstrong 11th period.
Deletei think that this is an important subject because sometimes you cant flee from sexual temptation. also if you don't you might regret it later on in life. and if you do flee from it then you will probably be happy later in your own life.-Brandon Schabel-11th period.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we feel like we can't have earthly desires and Gods wants. I feel like lust is okay, because it is a human desire and it's hard to prevent.
ReplyDeleteI think what Brad Watson talks about is very true. I think that all we want is human desire but we also need to think about God. Noah Tolonen, 5-6 English.
ReplyDeleteDavid Dennis: I think list is a very strong desire, but i don't think sex should be a thought until we are married.
ReplyDeleteyes i think so
ReplyDeleteI think that there are some Christians that think God dose not do any thing with lust but that is not true. Some people think it is an good excuse for Love. But sexual attention could transform into love.
ReplyDeleteI think its a complicated struggle everyone deals with and is confused about but most don't know where to take it. One of the problems is, is that its hard to bring up, and ask for information on the subject as its usually embarrassing to bring up.
ReplyDeleteI think the article has some truth too it. I also believe his thought on lust but i think you should be able to have freedom of thought and still be considered a good christian. God gave us free will for a reason and i think we as humans have a mission to grow in faith and be happy. if we find something that makes us happy shouldn't we do it and trust in God that he knows the path for us ? - Amaya Caraballo
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