THE SIN IS virtually as old as man himself. In fact, you could argue that it was the very first sin recorded in Scripture way back in Genesis 3. Ironically, it was committed—not by the man, but by the woman, when she longed for that which God had explicitly forbidden. Scripture says, [she] SAW that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the EYES, and that it was DESIRABLE (v. 6; cf. 1 John 2:15-17). It damaged the very first home then, and it continues to wreak havoc in innumerable homes—in and out of the church—today. “It” is lust.
Because lust so permeates our society, and because so many Christian lives and marriages have been adversely impacted by the unrestricted and easy availability of online pornography, this issue can no longer be ignored or swept under the proverbial rug. It MUST be addressed, but more specifically, it must be addressed from a biblical vantage point—even though we may not feel comfortable about the subject matter. “I think…” “I feel…” and “I tend to believe…” will land us in eternal hell (14:12; 16:25; cf. 2 Kgs. 5:11-12; Acts 26:9). Our opinions are worth zilch when it comes to life, godliness, and the salvation of our souls (2 Pet. 1:3; cf. Mat. 16:26). Consider a question: WHAT EXACTLY IS LUST?
Consider how the WORLD defines it:
“They can easily be confused. They can easily be misinterpreted and misused. But they are completely different animals. Completely different feelings. It’s just so easy to get so caught up in lust, that you start to actually believe it’s love. But it’s not. They are both intense. They are both incredibly powerful. But lust will only last so long. And love? If it is the right person, it’s not going to fade. Lust is an intense attraction, and intense and overriding sense of passion. It’s about chemistry and the sexual desire. It’s not about what’s underneath the surface. Lust is simply a desire to be touched by someone. A desire to be held and to be swept away by another human being…” https:thoughtcatalog.com/lauren-jarvis-gibson/2017/07/the-honest-difference-between-lust-and-love
But now notice how GOD defines it:
“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh…” (1 John 2:16a). The Greek word is, epithumia, pronounced e-pe-thü-me’ä and refers to inordinate (i.e., sinful) desire (cf. Gal. 5:16).
One scholar observes:
“The second part of the word (epithumia) is the Greek word thumos, which describes an urge, a longing, a craving, a passion, or something that is excited. The word epi usually means over, but when combined with the word thumos, it means to get extremely excited for or over something…” Rick Renner, Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Vol. I, 490
The world says, that love and lust are both just feelings. It says that the feeling of lust is short-term, while the feeling of love is long-term, depending upon the person. It says lust is about chemistry and desire. It says that lust is simply a desire to be touched. In reality, from heaven’s vantage point, love is a decision (Eph. 5:25, 28; Col. 3:19; Tit. 2:4), while lust is an overriding sense of illegitimate passion (Gal. 5:16).
Nowhere in Scripture will you find God condemning desire, or for that matter, a strong desire—as such. (EXAMPLE: A man who seeks to be an elder must first desire the office—cf. 1 Tim. 3:1). What the Word condemns is the strong desire/lust for that which is forbidden. It is not sinful for a husband and wife to desire each other (and they should), but it is wrong for spouses to desire that which he/she has no right to possess. (EXAMPLE: Potiphar’s wife “cast longing eyes on Joseph (he wasn’t her husband!), and she said, ‘Lie with me’”—Gen. 39:7).
A couple’s desire for one another is a blessing; it is normal and God-given. Desire and being strongly desired is one of the ways the Lord draws and keeps a couple together for a lifelong union (Heb. 13:4), while lust divides and drives two partners apart.
“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike
Nice one you are right
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