but didn't he also say that thinking about doing it was the same as doing it?
If you've already lusted after a woman, you've already committed the sin, etc...
Jesus the sinner.
2007-11-22 12:42:55 · 26 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Edit: Ahhh...so now it's "dwelling" that is sinful. I can't keep up.
2007-11-22 12:48:18 · update #1
yep that is what it means-so by his he either lied -thoughts arent a sin or he was a sinner-think you might get blasted on this but good point---just my thoughts-smile and enjoy the night
2007-11-22 12:49:25 · answer #1 · answered by lazaruslong138 6 · 0⤊ 6⤋
I think this perfectly describes the difference between temptation and lust (since you used that as an example):
You cannot prevent birds from flying around your head, but you can prevent their making a nest in your hair.
Being tempted certainly isn't a sin. What is a sin is cherishing that temptation (dwelling on it is a good word too --- I know you're kind of mocking Christian thinking, but that was well put) so that it turns into a fantasy, and then that ends up often being played out as action. I'm sure you as a man know the difference between seeing a pretty girl and having a fleeting thought about her and taking that fleeting thought and running with it. The running with it would be lust, a sin --- the temptation itself, though, is certainly not a sin (though I think some people do, unfortunately, feel guilty for being tempted).
2007-11-22 12:53:09 · answer #2 · answered by KL 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Angelswings was making a point. If you get a thought that is not right, you can't always help that, but if you continue to dwell ( continue to let it stay or keep thinking about it,without trying to get rid of it) on that thought, that is when it becomes a sin. You have to control the thoughts by putting them out of your mind as soon as you have them. If you lust after a women, you probably have wanted her, and that is what is being said here. Lust is a desire for some one else. You have to fight that desire and quit thinking about it. And Jesus died for those sins as well.
2007-11-22 12:58:24 · answer #3 · answered by jenx 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me give you an example of thoughts turning to sin.
When I see a good looking man walking by, I thank God for the eye candy and doing a great job with him. Then, I turn my thoughts to prayer instead of lust. So, there was temptation to sin (lustful thoughts)...but God gave me an out. Thanking Him instead and then praying.
Casting down thoughts or submitting the to the Lord is what we need to do instead of just falling into the lustful thoughts.
It's clear that you have not studied what Jesus taught but instead gave a second thought to something someone else said. You can do better than that. Come up with something original.
You know Jesus did not sin. I know He did not sin. You are trying to pull someones chain...and well, it did not work here.
2007-11-22 12:59:44 · answer #4 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was tempted with all of the same sins as us, but He did not give in to those temptation, as we do. I know people that would not hurt a fly, they feel physically ill when they see suffering or pain. They refuse to take part in any activity that would take the life of a bug, worm, bird, cattle, or human.
I have another friend that has not have sex for more than 5 years, because He loves God more, and would never think of cheating on God's Son since they got engaged.
2007-11-22 13:02:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If you read what Jesus said, he did not say that having the thought was a sin. He said that acting on the thought was the sin. He said if the person "looks" (which is an act) with lust already in his thoughts, then he has already committed adultery in his heart.
A temptation is when you are presented with a moral choice. A sin is when you make the wrong choice. If he has the thought, but does not act on it but rejects it, then it is a temptation, but not a sin.
The Bible says that he was tempted, meaning the thoughts came, but that he never sinned by acting on them.
2007-11-22 12:58:59 · answer #6 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
i can not make the connection that you have made with you leap of logic! Jesus was tempted by the devil, such as, "if you are God, jump off the mountain", or "If you are God, turn this rock into bread". how is that the same as having lustful thoughts for a woman? It is great to question things, but make sure you have your facts straight.
2007-11-22 13:00:27 · answer #7 · answered by felix c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference between thinking about something and thinking about DOING something. Take an extreme example: We can talk about and even do a seminar on child abuse, but we are not sinning by talking about it, but instead are talking about treating victims.
In Matt.5:27-28 Jesus says: Ye have heard it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman TO LUST AFTER HER hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
It is not the looking at her and saying she is very pretty, that is sinful, but rather looking at her and saying in your heart "how can I posses her sexually (or something a bit more blatant)"
Another example might be considered when admiring your neighbors house, wife, servants, possessions etc.
Exodus 20:15 says: Tho shalt not steal.
In Exodus 20:17 the matter is addressed as it occurs in our heart and mind when God says: Thou Shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ***, nor anything that is thy neighbors.
The point is that thinking about our neighbor's house etc. is not the same as mentally desiring or scheming to posses them (coveting).
Jesus could think about sin WITHOUT ACTUALLY SINNING. He DID NOT Covet, Lust etc. In other words he DID NOT SIN in what he did outwardly, or even in his inner thoughts. (YES, THAT IS AWESOME!!!)
I hope this cleared things up some.
2007-11-22 13:24:48 · answer #8 · answered by Dr. Paul 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was tempted by being in a sinful world, but that doesn't mean that his thoughts were ever sinful. It simply means that he was exposed to the sin just like we are but he triumphed over it sinless.
2007-11-22 14:41:37 · answer #9 · answered by Kisses & Hugs 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
is it wise to judge others by our own lack of mental discipline and self-control? do each of us regard ourselves at the highest spiritual discipline attainable, making us able to judge others and to know their very thoughts?
You are assuming that Jesus was like us, and reacted to temptation with the same weakness with which you accuse Him. Perhaps His mind was disciplined to dwell on more spiritual things, and not influenced by the decadence of human nature.
Most religions seek spirituality because it is a more pure thought process, providing a thoughtful discipline which frees us from the slavish desires of the flesh. Jesus was a spiritual master, not tempted by the flesh.
Obedient even unto death.
2007-11-22 13:26:41 · answer #10 · answered by I have a bear spot 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes ,Jesus was tempted just as we so we can turn to Him with anything
Temptation is not mental sin, willing the thought("entertaining it") is but not as bad as pursuing the act and then doing the sinful act. Jesus never gave in and he can help us by the grace of His perfect merits and innocence
2007-11-22 12:57:19 · answer #11 · answered by James O 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋