I grow weary of the underlying tenor of most discussions that involve some person's apparent loss of mental faculties and somehow driven by some biological force that results in sexual immorality.
Not speaking of rape here, which is the crime of unlawful and willful overpowerment of another culminating in a sexual act, the unstated assumption seems to be that a man or a woman is unable to resist the opposite gender's advances. I wish I could count the number of times someone in a counseling situation has told me he or she was just overcome with emotion that began an extra-marital affair or "one-night stand"; as if they had no choice in the matter. The same goes for those in social situations who are unable to interpret even the most innocuous action or words as nothing more than an invitation to copulate.
We are not animal brutes without conscience and wills. We choose according to our greatest inclinations at the moment we so choose. The point being, "choice", and our actions have consequences. The man or woman seeking to avoid responsibility for immoral acts by laying these choices at the feet of some uncontrollable force beyond their control is simply lying to themselves.
We need to embrace the truth and reject myths:
1. “I lust because I’m human.” No, you lust because you’re a sinner.
2. “I lust because others dress immodestly.” No, you lust because your wicked heart enjoys the immodesty of others.
3. “I lust because I’m not married.” No, you lust because you love sex more than God.
4. “I lust because I desire marriage.” No, you lust because you desire sexual immorality. Desiring sexual immorality is the opposite of desiring marriage. A desire for marriage is a desire for sexual morality within marriage.
5. “I lust because I cannot help it.” No, you lust because you willfully choose sin over holiness. You’ve developed a lustful habit. Repent and turn to Christ habitually. Live out the holiness He requires until new holy habits are formed.
6. “I lust because my spouse is not as interested in sex as I am.” No, you lust because you desire sex more than you desire God.
7. “I lust because my spouse does not appreciate me.” No, you lust because you believe God is too small to meet your needs abundantly.
8. “I lust because I believe God’s image-bearers are beautiful.” No, you lust because you reject God’s creation (Gen. 1:26-27). Those who lust objectify God’s image bearers, reducing His divine image to a mere object of immoral non-consensual one-sided sexual gratification.
9. “I lust because sexuality is pervasive in my godless culture.” No, you lust because you want to be like your godless culture.
10. “If I fulfill my lusts, they will go away.” No, the remedy for lustful desires is for you to deny yourself (starve your lust), pick up your cross, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23).
The only answer for a lustful heart is to believe God rather than man, whether “man” is everyone else or ourselves.
Indeed, God has not been silent on the matter of avoiding sexual immorality, for example, consider the teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4:
You will please God.... v. 1
You will prove that you can take instruction from God.... v. 1
You will respond to the authority of God.... v. 2
You will be in the will of God.... v. 3
God calls you to be holy—literally set apart from the world's thinking....v. 3
God calls you to sexual integrity....v. 3
You will control your own body.... v. 4
God calls you to control your sexual desires....v. 4
God calls you to be holy and honorable....v. 4
You will not display passionate lust.... v. 5
You will not be like the heathen.... v. 5
God condemns your lust....v. 5
You will not wrong another person.... v. 6
You will not take advantage of another.... v. 6
God holds you accountable for your treatment of others....v. 6
God will punish your promiscuity....v. 6
God does not call you to be impure....v. 7
God calls you to live a holy life....v. 7
God sees your involvement in sexual sin as rejection of Him....v. 8
Right now we can live by faith—or we can live by our feelings. :AMR:
AMR