Why do Christians say that Lust is a Sin?

Question

I was wondering that from a question about masturbation last night..

Lust to me is having sexual desire or a desire for pleasure. That is Totally natural and I don't see anything wrong with it. And I know Christians who enjoy sex so they clearly don't think that that is a sin.

Someone suggested to me that it's not the sexual desire that is bad to Christians but being selfish about it is..like only wanting to use someone for sex.

I can agree with that but than I don't understand why some Christians think masturbation is a sin (and some don't) because that is not hurting anyone.

So..could Christians explain to me what you consider to be Lust?

dreamdress2 why is reading or seeing pornography or even just thinking about it even a sin? What about a fantasy?

btw I mean no disrespect to Christians..

geessewereabove I don't agree with you at all..especially that I am in with Satan because I am asking a question about sex.

But you are totally wrong about STIs .. that is not true from basic sexual health information.

Answer 1

Sigy,

Lust- for anything if it is all-consuming or over-powers your need for God is a sin. In the bible, it says that God is a jealous God and that we are to put Him above all else. As such, I think that lust falls into the category of "putting something before God". However, I don't think it applies to a healthy lust, or a healthy sexuality. Honestly, this is where my biggest challenge lies with Christianity. I am VERY sexually charged. VERY. I don't think that is a bad thing, and, I am faithful to my husband. I lust for none other, for, no other could ever fulfill me as he. I believe that this is a healthy lust- and, a biblical one. The lust that he and I share for one another is so intense that it glorifies God- instead of challenges Him. I thank God for the incredible chemistry between my husband and I.

And, Honey, you are not the devil. I had done things before meeting my husband of which I am not proud- some that may make your hair turn gray- LOL. But, once he and I were together, we both found ourselves being pulled to God stronger than ever before, because of the sheer intensity of our desire for one another. It can only have been ordained by God.....

Answer 2

One of the best ways we can put “off the natural man” is to starve him. Weakened, he is more easily dislodged. Otherwise, he insists on getting his ticket punched at every stop on the temptation train. Sadly, corrective words do not usually help the natural man either, because lust chokes the word (see Mark 4:19). There are men, and unfortunately some women, who experiment with stimulating those emotions by influences outside of the covenant of marriage. There is a great difference between love and lust. Pure love yields happiness and engenders trust. It is the foundation of eternal joy. Lust will destroy that which is enriching and beautiful. A husband must have no private, hidden agenda that is kept secret from his wife. Sharing everything about each other’s personal life is powerful spiritual insurance. When you travel, take along a picture of your wife. Set it before you. Remember how you are loved and trusted. You will not be tempted to contaminate your mind or violate your covenants. Love, as defined by the Lord, elevates, protects, respects, and enriches another. It motivates one to make sacrifices for another. Satan promotes counterfeit love, which is lust. It is driven by a hunger to appease personal appetite. One who practices this deception cares little for the pain and destruction caused another. While often camouflaged by flattering words, its motivation is self-gratification.

Answer 3

Sociologically speaking, because lust has been a strong destabilizing force in society, contributing to other ills like deceit, betrayal, jealousy, et al, as well as to problems with determining the paternity of children and assigning responsibility appropriately.

Philosophically speaking, Pauline Christianity, with its neo-Platonic elements, saw the physical world and dirty and contrasted with a spiritual world. The experience of lust is one of the body controlling the spirit rather than the other way round.

Theologically speaking, there have been various views about the nature of the transmission of sin from Adam and Eve to present and one view is that it is through the fact of being conceived in lust. hence, the virgin birth being required for Jesus to be without sin.

Answer 4

To have sex without being married is sin. To lust for sex is a sin too! Unless you are only lusting for your husband (or wife if you are a man). It is all the lust and sex between unmarried couples and adulteress that has created all the Venereal Diseases around these days. The Bible says right in it that these are sins. So is masturbation. And anyone that is homosexual goes to hell it says.
Read the Bible and look for truth.
You seem to be holding onto the Devil very tight right now.

Answer 5

Lust can be a lot more that for sex, You can lust after material things you see others have, like cars, expensive clothes, jewelry..You can lust after boats, huge houses,,,etc.....it is called coveting and it is a sin.

Mastubation is a sin because of your thoughts when you do it....or maybe the books or movies,,videos,,,whatever that you use....online porn sights....etc....your thoughts are not pure when you do this...that is why it is a sin....

Answer 6

Matthew 5:27-29 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society




27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[a] 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Answer 7

Well masturbation is just good clean fun...

Well it's not that clean so wipe up after yourself.

But lust is a huge motivator and if it weren't for lust humans just would not have made it. If we don't breed there are no generations to come.

Answer 8

Lust is when our sexual desires consume us. Same thing with alcohol. Consuming alcohol is okay, but being consumed by alcohol is not. But anytime we get close to something like that we risk succumbing to it, so it is best to avoid it.

Answer 9

Lust is desire for another person or I guess animal.

Answer 10

I don't know about Christians (they have very unhealthy views towards sexuality).
But in Judaism- it is a Mitzvah (a good deed) to make love to your wife.
It's another Mitzvah to make love to her on the sabbath.
and another Mitzvah to make love to her for her pleasure.

now- doesn't that make a heck of a lot more sense than pretending it's a sin?