Sexual Sin

Thats a great way of putting it

 

Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

G1937
ἐπιθυμέω
epithumeō
ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o
From G1909 and G2372; to set the heart upon, that is, long for (rightfully or otherwise): - covet, desire, would fain, lust (after).

When you set your heart on something you have, by an act of your will, decided you are willing for that thought to become reality. It is more than mere desire or attraction. It is when you cross the line from "I would Like..." to "I will if I can..." A couple dating could have the strongest desire imaginable and yet refrain, in order to obey God, and have not sinned. God created that attraction but He told us to control it and not the other way around. We are not animals and we have the ability to control ourselves.

 

It is more than mere desire or attraction. It is when you cross the line from "I would Like..." to "I will if I can..." </font>[/QUOTE]EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!

 

You make a good point, as usual, Johnv.

I like to use the fear/bravery analogy. A man who does not feel fear is not brave. The brave man is the one who FEELS fear and OVERCOMES it.

The same holds true for sexual temptations. Actually, the same holds true for ALL temptations.

 

Lust is a strong desire of any kind, whether it's for food, possessions or sex. If one eats for the simple pleasure of eating (as opposed to eating for for the glory of God), then one has crossed the line into drunkenness and gluttony.

The same goes for how one acts on his desires for anything else.

But don't be deceived. Simply having the strong desire for anything that is thy neighbor's is a sin, whether you're willing to act on it or not.

 

I totally disagree. The stronger the desire the stronger the temptation and the greater achievement in resisting it. I can't control the things that tempt me but I can and must control my reactions to temptation.

I still like the way Artimaeus put it: "I would Like..." not "I will if I can..."

Of course, if there is no opportunity to act then it's hard to say where temptation ends and lust/coveting begins.

 

It's not just strong desire. It is unrestrained and/or inappropriate desire.

 

For the flesh lusteth [Strong's 1937] against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Galatians 5:17

 

Thou shalt not covet... The carnal mind is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom. 8:7) It's desires are opposite the will of God. Always. The mere presence of a forbidden desire--for even a nanosecond--is the evil fruit of an evil nature.

 

Good discussion here, however I cotend that there is no achievement in resisting temptation, none. Every time I do not give into temptation in my life it purely and simply by the grace of God and in His strength. I have achieved nothing in resisting temptation - it is all of Him.

 

Good discussion here, however I cotend that there is no achievement in resisting temptation, none. Every time I do not give into temptation in my life it purely and simply by the grace of God and in His strength. I have achieved nothing in resisting temptation - it is all of Him. </font>[/QUOTE]Yup,yup- Ga 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 

Good discussion here, however I cotend that there is no achievement in resisting temptation, none. Every time I do not give into temptation in my life it purely and simply by the grace of God and in His strength. I have achieved nothing in resisting temptation - it is all of Him. </font>[/QUOTE]Playing "debater's" advocate again?

 

Good discussion here, however I cotend that there is no achievement in resisting temptation, none. Every time I do not give into temptation in my life it purely and simply by the grace of God and in His strength. I have achieved nothing in resisting temptation - it is all of Him. </font>[/QUOTE]Playing "debater's" advocate again? </font>[/QUOTE]Sorry Ray, I trult don't understand the gist of this post.

 

Okay.

So what is happening when you DO give into temptation? Does God fail?

 

There is nothing good in man. When he gives into temptation he is following the natural inclination of his sinful nature.

However, when a man is able to not give into temptation it is a complete work of God's grace as C4K said.

 

Okay.

So what is happening when you DO give into temptation? Does God fail? </font>[/QUOTE]When I give in I fail - I let my lust win. When I do not fail it is because I step aside and let the Lord give me victory. I just don't see that as an achievement for I have nothing.

 

I understand your reasoning.

But Paul says in Romans 7:20 "But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which indwells me." If we apply this scripture in a manner CONSISTENT WITH your reasoning above it is impossible to make me accountable for my own decisions. If I sin then sin is responsible and and if I don't sin then God is responsible.

Please understand I know very well that I AM accountable for my own decisions. It's just that your reasoning does not appear consistent with that understanding.