as a teenage christian, is it wrong to have naughty thoughts?

Question

cuz really, u cant help thinking what u think, as long as it doesnt happen, right or not?
imtrying to be the best christian i can be, but sometimes subconcioulsy, i find myself thinking about sex,

Answer 1

I think that it depends on the specific nature of your thoughts... I do not think that vague thoughts about sex or even about having sex are wrong; I think that they are simply natural. The Bible does say that lust for a certain person is wrong... "do not envy... your neighbor's wife" and "I tell you the truth, if a man even looks at a woman lustfully he has already committed adultery with her." These verses clearly indicate two things 1) a desire; 2) a specific object for that desire... and imply one more thing -- some sort of lingering. The word envy or covet is stronger than 'want' because it implies something more continual and a willingness to act on that 'want.' I think a person outside on a freezing night is legitimately allowed to wish he had a roof over his head without "coveting his neighbor's house." Similarly, Jesus said "look at a woman lustfully;" here too, is the idea that someone is more than just having a thought pop into his/her mind but sort of stare and check out. the verse is not "if you see a woman and have a lustful thought," it's if you actually look with lust.

Sorry, that I am sort of addressing the gender of the answer the wrong way, but I didn't want to modify the verses. They obviously apply the same either way.

Finally, I don't think that "living for God" means escaping from sin. The Law exists to point out the fact that we need Jesus; Paul said that he struggled with a thorn in the flesh and that he died daily because Jesus came to save us from our sins regardless of when or why we commit them because He knows that it is not possible for us to keep all of His laws. We are not supposed to use this promise to sin freely, but we are just supposed to know it isn't easy, it isn't even possible... we become perfect because of God's continual grace and forgiveness not because of our own righteousness. I don't think that God wants us obsessing over the details of sin--I think He wants us to trust Him and seek Him and love Him and love our neighbor and keep His commandments... knowing that we are still becoming righteous and that we will fail and not worrying about it because we also know He promises to forgive our weakness.

Answer 2

Having "naughty" thoughts is natural. Acting upon them is the problem. Go ahead and think about sex. Learn about it. Get familiar with it. By doing that, you will be better prepared to deal with sex when you are actually in a committed relationship. There is nothing wrong with that at all. God isn't a crazy, arbitrary nut that decided sex was wrong for no reason. He merely wants to protect you from unwanted pregnancy, STDs, and being disrespected by men. So save yourself if you think that is the right thing to do, but don't worry about the thoughts that pop in your head. If that were a sin, every man, woman, and child on earth would be heading to eternal damnation.

Answer 3

There is an old saying my pastor repeats often. "You can't stop the birds from falling over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair".

As a teenager, you are developing a sexual identity. If you were NOT thinking about it, there would be cause for concern. But there is a difference between having the thought, and dwelling on it to where it captivates you.

When the thoughts come, remind yourself that it is something beauty that God has waiting for you in the near future when the right person comes along. Why give the person only leftovers?

When the thoughts come into your mind, start to remind yourself about the special person, and take that moment to pray for them. It will help to get you ready them, and help God to prepare them for you.

Answer 4

Get ready for all the "you need a spanking" jokes!

The Bible has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to say on the subject of people enjoying sex. Don't fret about it being some kind of "sin" - because it's not - so just enjoy yourself.

It makes me sad how many teenagers feel like they have to feel ashamed of their sexuality just because some crazy old man in a pulpit doesn't like it. I'm not a Christian, but I would like to think that Christianity is about being nice to people and trying to be a moral person, and not about what you do in the privacy of your own bedroom.

Answer 5

You are a normal growing up teen. It is natural to think of sex. You are developing sexually. Your hormones are beginning to make you feel sex. Do not let religious zealots tell you that it is a sin to think of sex. But that does not mean you must start indulging in sex. Live a healthy life and when the time is right you have sex with a loved person. Of course, you need to make sure that you do not come in contact with sexually transmitted disease. Life a full life. Don't let religion of your parents make you feel guilty about something natural.

Answer 6

oh the guilt that Christianity brings. If you can't be happy with your own thoughts, then what do you have in life?

any way. Sex spawns life, without it, you wouldn't have been born. It was your parents being together that paved the way for your existence. God didn't miraculously make you, your parents genes and DNA did.
Embrace your sexuality, but do make the right decisions.

don't let other people tell you when you should have sex.

Answer 7

I submit that you can indeed control what you think. Its called opinion. I can look at a sunset and think it is beautiful or I can look at a sunset and think its no big deal. However, if I am put in prison against my will, if I have all sorts of tragedies happen to me. If all of my freedoms are taken away, I still at the very least can choose how I feel and think about something.

Answer 8

Well, I disagree with one of the first posts that said 'you can't control your thoughts.' I think you can....God said to bring every thought into submission.

That said, it's natural (but not necessarily right) for you to be thinking about that stuff right now. It's the way God made us. Sex isn't wrong in itself, God was the one who made it in the first place. But if you start to dwell on them, elaborate on them, create fantasies, etc. NO. He also says to think on whatever is good, lovely, pure, etc.
and dirty thoughts are definitely not any of the things in that verse.

Answer 9

Absolutely not. You are first and foremost a human being, and it is completely natural to think about sex. I would be worried if you didn't, being a teen and being overrun with hormones and curiosity. It is dangerous to let yourself feel guilt over this. It is something that is normal, healthy, and can't be helped.

Answer 10

There's a difference between a fleeting thought, which can't be helped, and dwelling or acting on those thoughts. The first is innocent. The others can be considered sinful.