The Complex Question Of Lust And Sin

is looking at women a sin

In a hypersexualised culture, the question of whether looking at a woman is a sin is a highly debated topic. While some believe that it is natural to find another human being attractive, others argue that lusting is a sin. According to the Bible, Jesus said, You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Thus, while a simple glance or admiration of beauty is not a sin, lustful thoughts and intentions are considered a sin.

Characteristics Values
Looking at a woman's body is a sin False
Looking at a woman with lust is a sin True
Looking at a woman with admiration is a sin False

shunspirit

Is it a sin to look at a woman's body?

The Bible says that it is a sin to look at a woman with lustful intent. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

However, this does not mean that it is a sin to simply find someone attractive or to acknowledge their attractiveness. Jesus was criticising the legalistic habits of the religious leaders of the day, who focused on the "letter of the law" rather than the "spirit of the law". It is natural to find other human beings attractive, and this in itself is not a sin.

The sin lies in lustful thoughts and intentions. Lust is a dangerous sexual sin, and the Bible compares it to "a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon" (Job 31:11). Abaddon is the Hebrew word for "place of destruction". When we allow our minds to wander into sexual situations with someone to whom we are not married, we cross the line into sexual sin.

Lust objectifies another person, viewing them as a sexual object rather than as an individual bearing the image of God. It is a form of idolatry and demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of God's design for sex. Sex is intended for one man and one woman within the covenant relationship of marriage, where they can expose their nakedness to each other in vulnerability and deepen their union (Genesis 2:14-25; Matthew 19:3-9).

Therefore, the key distinction is between a simple glance or admiration of attractiveness and looking with lustful intent. The former is natural and not inherently sinful, while the latter objectifies the person and is considered a sin.

shunspirit

What does it mean to look lustfully?

The Bible states that "everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart". However, this does not mean that finding someone attractive is a sin. Instead, it is about the intent behind the act of looking.

Lust is a yearning desire, a coveting, or an intent to possess. It is about the objectification of another person, reducing them to a means of self-gratification, rather than seeing them as a unique individual. It is about the intent to lust and fantasize, rather than a simple appreciation of another person's beauty.

Lust is a dangerous sin, described in the Bible as "a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon". The best way to fight lustful thoughts is to refuse to entertain them, and to avoid circumstances that provide temptation.

Pre-Marital Bed Sharing: Sin or Not?

You may want to see also

shunspirit

Is it a sin to find someone attractive?

It is natural to find other human beings attractive. God created humans and, as such, there is nothing inherently sinful about the male or female body. However, it is considered a sin to ogle or fantasize about another person with lustful intent.

Lust is a yearning or longing for something. In the context of looking at another person, lust is the desire to have or possess that person for sexual gratification. It is a form of coveting, where one's desire for something turns into ill will or reduces one's view of the other person to that of a sexual object.

In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This criticism is directed at the religious leaders of the day, who were adept at following the "letter of the law" without grasping its "spirit or intent".

Lust is considered a dangerous sexual sin, described in the Bible as "a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon" (Job 31:11), where Abaddon refers to a place of destruction.

The best way to fight lustful thoughts is to refuse to entertain them as soon as they appear (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). If a fleeting sexual thought enters your mind when you see an attractive person, do not dwell on it or play it out in your imagination. It is also advisable to avoid circumstances that may provoke temptation.

It is fine to acknowledge a person's attractiveness or to have a crush without it being considered a sin. However, the line is crossed when one allows their mind to wander into a sexual situation with someone other than their spouse.

Ultimately, it comes down to understanding one's motives. If you are looking at pictures of attractive people and feeling tempted to fantasize or are invoking sexual feelings, then it is best to avoid them. On the other hand, if you are simply admiring without feeling any temptation to go further in your thoughts, then you are probably fine.

Final thoughts

As humans, we are "embodied souls", and our physical bodies matter. The way we view and treat others is a reflection of our relationship with God. The more we know and love God, the more we will love others and reflect God in our thoughts and actions.

shunspirit

What does the Bible say about lust?

The Bible speaks of lust in several ways.

Firstly, lust is a temptation and an evil that overcomes many in the modern world. It is a sin that seeks to use others for one's own gratification, without any love or respect. Lust has as its focus pleasing oneself, and it often leads to unwholesome actions to fulfill one's desires with no regard to the consequences. It is about possession and greed.

The Bible states that lust is a "fire that consumes as far as Abaddon" (Job 31:11). Abaddon is the Hebrew word for "place of destruction". Lust is a dangerous sin, and the Bible makes it clear that it is wrong to look at a man or woman with lustful intent. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus said:

> "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Jesus was criticising the legalistic habits of the religious leaders of the day, who did not grasp the "spirit of the law", or the intent behind it.

Lust is not simply noticing someone's attractiveness, but rather coveting or desiring them. It is about viewing a person as a sexual object, and therefore dehumanises the person. It demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of God's design for sex, which is intended for one man and one woman within the covenant relationship of marriage.

The Bible offers guidance on how to overcome lustful thoughts. It is important to refuse to entertain them and instead pray for strength in times of temptation. It is also advised to avoid circumstances that provide temptation.

Other verses in the Bible that refer to lust include:

  • Exodus 20:14, 17: "Do not commit adultery...Do not covet your neighbour's wife."
  • 1 John 2:16: "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."
  • Galatians 5:16: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
  • Colossians 3:5: "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
  • 1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
Worry: A Sinful Trap for Catholics?

You may want to see also

shunspirit

Is it a sin to appreciate the beauty of an attractive woman?

It is natural to find other human beings attractive. God created us, male and female, and there is nothing inherently sinful about the female or male body. However, the Bible makes it clear that lust is a sin. So, what is the difference between appreciation and lust?

Appreciation vs Lust

Appreciating the beauty of a woman involves acknowledging her attractiveness and admiring her as one of God's creations. It is natural to find someone attractive and even to feel excited by their appearance. However, lust involves more than this.

Lust involves looking at someone with a "yearning look", cherishing and embracing sexual thoughts about them. It is when you begin to view a person as a means to your own sexual gratification, reducing them and objectifying them, that you have crossed the line into lust.

The Dangers of Lust

The Bible describes lust as a "fire that consumes" and warns that it is a dangerous sexual sin. It is wrong to look at a man or a woman with lustful desire because it dehumanises them, treating them as a sex object rather than a person made in God's image.

Guarding Your Heart and Mind

So how can you know if you are appreciating or lusting? It comes down to understanding your motives. If you are merely admiring a person's attractiveness, you are probably fine. But if you find yourself fantasising about them or feeling sexual desire, then you have crossed the line into lust.

To avoid lust, it is important to guard your heart and your eyes. Avoid circumstances that provide temptation, and if a sexual thought enters your mind, refuse to entertain it.

In conclusion, it is not a sin to appreciate the beauty of an attractive woman, as long as you are admiring her as a whole person and honouring her as a bearer of God's image. However, it becomes a sin when you objectify her and view her as a means to your own sexual gratification.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
  • Aisha
  • Aisha
    Author Editor Reviewer
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment