"You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If 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. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."
As you read this what are the first things that come to your mind?
What do you think about this passage?
Is it for "men only"? Do women have this trouble also?
What responsibility do women bear for creating a lustful look from men?
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We are getting close to Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday.
What are you thankful for?
Who are you thankful for?
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What’s on your mind this week? Feel free to ask or mention anything you would like to discuss here in cyberspace where the motto is "What happens here... can be see anywhere in the world, if people happen to check this URL, which is probably not going to happen."
50 comments:
First of all I would like to say you did a wonderful job today Allen. I think you did a wonderful job and I don't know how anyone could have been offended.
Concerning the text..Besides taking this literally, I think this applies to anything in your life you should get rid of...any sin or any habit you realize is or could lead you to sin. This is one of my favorites that have followed me around most of my life. If it isn't good get rid of it.
I think it applies to both men and women.
Women need to dress with care, keep pure thoughts and don't tempt men on purpose.
What I am most thankful for is my church family. You all have no idea how much you mean to me. I love all of you very much.
I am also very thankful for all of you who spoke to Luke today, he is very sensitive and though he might not show it, your kind words mean a lot to him. Luke really likes his new school and feels he has been accepted and welcomed there, sadly it is something he has never felt here. Please everyone pray for him. Luke has a faith that is awesome especially when you think about all he has gone through in his short life. I expect great things from him, I think God will work through him to help others someday.
Ebenezer really enjoyed his visit today, he really liked Allen's style, in sunday school and sermon. Thank you to all who spoke to him, he felt very welcomed. Ebenezer had written in our church website asking for a referral to a church close to IU, where he is working on his PH D, I emailed him with Pat Arthurs church info but I kinda think he though Pat was a woman, and since he grew up in a Church of Christ I think he found it strange that Pat was the minister, and I believe that is why he visited us. Thats all straightened out now but maybe he will visit us again someday.
Annette
Wow, Annette! What a great post to start my day. I appreciate all the good thoughts and kind words.
Jesus really is calling us to do something quite radical! I like your words, "if it isn't good get rid of it."
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We had a great trip to Nashville last Thursday and Friday. Lipscomb University is a wonderful place. They have incorporated the mission of God into every area of study. I think Luke is ready to go to study engineering.
It was great to spend time with Charlie and Jackie. I think Matt enjoyed the visit also.
Thoughts about Thanksgiving day....to some its just another day.
I must say I have been on both ends of this statement.
We used to get together at my parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. Once my parents moved into the retirement home I tried to have a big traditional dinner so my kids would have that experience and of course my parents were invited. I nad noticed in yrs past how my neighbor a single mother with 3 children never had a thanksgiving dinner. Her family all lived out of state and she couldn't afford to buy the food to prepare a meal (it is quite expensive, isn't it?). So I invited my neighbors to dinner for many years. Its such a blessing to share and if you're like me you prepare enough food to last for a week so you don't have to cook, so you have plenty of food to share. Also one year Ozie and Amber were coming home for Thanksgiving, I was so excited. An older couple in my neighborhood had mentioned that they couldn't afford to have a dinner and all of their children were occupied elsewhere so they weren't going to celebrate Thanksgiving. So of course I invited them. We all had a wonderful time. And the story doesn't end there regarding this couple...there was one time when I had no food to feed my kids, I was tired of borrowing money and I was praying for God to provide...I get a call from this couple...they had a big cook out and had so much food left over and they wanted to know if we wanted it...answer to prayer..praise God!
Then there were years I couldn't afford to have a dinner. Just this past year Jay and Jamie invited us to both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, we would not have had it otherwise, and I don't even think they knew this. I am so thankful to them. And what a blessing and a wonderful time we had.
Has God blessed you with abundance this year? Look around you, you might be surprised what you might see or hear....
Annette
Allen,I think you had a good message Sunday. It caused me to contact close relatives I had had no contact with for some years. It looks like we will be getting together soon. I do hope this works out. Please pray for this reunion.
Wow, that's neat. I will pray for your "reunion" and for others who will strive for reconciliation this week. You are not alone in making a move; others have indicated they are doing the same. God must be smiling.
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Annette's stories remind me of Luke 14, a reflection of the Great (Messianic) Banquet at the consummation of all things. Thanks for sharing...
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Dianne, Rita is one of the finest people I know; she is remarkably wonderful. I look at the families that originate from her and find a great deal of gratitude in my heart.
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I thought of something today that was said in my Wednesday night class. We were discussing anger. Wayne said that he used to get angry about some things, but after he lost a son to a car wreck a lot of things changed. There were/are much fewer things that rise to the level of creating anger. Perspective is so valuable; it is the stuff of wisdom, I think.
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This week's passage is about lust. Lust and/or anger are probably at the root of nearly every sin. Dallas Willard in the DIVINE CONSPIRACY says this about Matthew 5:21-48, "This passage... moves from the deepest roots of human evil, burning anger and obsessive desire, to the pinnacle of human fulfillment in agape, or divine love. In this way the entire edifice of human corruption is undermined by eliminating its foundations in human personality."
What responsibility do women bear in terms of inciting men to lust? How much responsibility do men bear in inciting women in the same way? Everyone should dress and behave with modesty, but assuming that women are usually to blame when men lust is kinda over the top.
Donna
Donna, you need to re-read the original post. I don't think I suggest that women are the blame for lustful looks. I just posed a question which I think is very valid.
I think everyone should dress modestly. In our culture it is so much easier for a women to dress in a way that invites lust. Man generally don't wear shirts with plunging necklines that show lots of cleavage (now there's a mental image for you), and would you be attracted to that anyway? Men usually don't wear short skirts that invite a second look, and I doubt you would look anyway. You would be too busy trying not to throw-up! And compare bikinis with speedos. On second thought, let's not!
I guess some men do dress in ways that invite lustful looks (how? women, tell us), but if I understand the nature of men and women, it is not going to be that effective. Men are very visual and women generally are not. I thought Jerry and Lynn Jones did a nice job of explaining that during the Marriage Matters Seminar.
Ultimately the teaching about lust is directed to men (for a reason, I believe), and it is the man's responsibility to not do it. It ain't easy, however, and I think every honest man will tell you that.
Others, help us out here. What do you think?
God did not mix words here with any elegant speach. I remember reading this for the first time when I was little and I thought God is really serious about this or he wouldnt tell us to gouge our eye out. He is talking to men here but in this day and age it would apply to woman also. None of us can take that second look, think that second thought, watch that tv show because we are adult enough, read that book that entices or be friendly to the opposite sex when our gut is telling us differant. We can't believe the lie that cleavage is in and so is sexy { I hate that word by the way!} We all have to stay close to our relationship with God so truth will reveal itself to each of us. I want to have a wall up that tells satan he is not touching my family. Which is the next thing- I am so very thankful for a great husband and kids, parents, friends, church family and health on this day. I am thankful I have a pantry with food and a warm house. [ I know but it is what I am thankful for! ] Most of all I am so thankful for a father in heaven who always loves, forgives, quides and is just there for me. I could never do without him. J.Y.
Thanksgiving has to be my favorite holiday of the year; yes my whole family knows how I get ready for Christmas; with decorating and all. Yet Thanksgiving is my favorite. I have such great memories of it spent with my family and my mom's family each year. We grew up next door to each other and if it was nice enough we would just walk across the path to each others house. One year we would have Thanksgiving at their house and then Christmas would be at ours. They still do this each year. Now that I am married we try to hit as many different houses as we can during the day. Thanksgiving to me is all about family and friends and being with each other. Robin
I read the original post. I was responding to the question "What responsibility do women bear for men's lustful looks?" My answer may raise your hackles: Absolutely none. EVERYONE should dress and behave modestly, male or female. However, if I lust, it's not the responsibility of the object of my attraction. It's mine. If I sin, it's on my own head. I agree that we live in a hyper-sexualized culture, and as Christians we should counter that. But, the same thinking that assigns blame to women for the sins of men is the thinking that keeps Middle-Eastern women swathed in stifling burkas to this day.
Donna
If we bear no responsibility in the matter, either way, male or female, then why the repeated directives for modest dress? God must be telling us to dress modestly for a reason, right?
I think I bear a responsibility toward you, as a faithful member of Christ's community, to understand your weaknesses, etc., and act accordingly, which may require me to give up my "rights." Do you not have that same responsibility toward me?
Please understand that I am not excusing anything or anyone. We all must do the right thing regardless of what others do.
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So Robin, just how much do you eat on Thanksgiving Day??
Allen; to the question of how much I eat on Thanksgiving I like to use the term grazing for Thanksgiving a little here and little there. I understand what Donna is saying to a point; but I am reminded that we are not to be a stubling block for our brothers and sisters in Christ or for anyone. So if we know that for say how we dress may cause someone else to lust; then maybe we should not wear what we have been wearing. A friend of mine has writen a book called "Brothers Keeper" it is the story of his own brother living on death row. He himself grew up in the same house; the same streets of Pittsburg; yet he went on to Penn and became a Rhodes scholar; and was the first black dept. chairman at the University of Wym. He now is at UMASS. The book is all about how he looks back at what he could have done to help his brother stay off of the streets and not be involved in gangs. I don't consider him a very religious man per say but he has some very good insight to human nature. I hope this makes sense. Robin
Living for the sake of others has far-reaching consequences, all the way from dress to saving people from the street. Yes, you make sense.
Grazing is good; gorging is bad.
When scripture speaks to the subject of modest dress, I suspect it has at least as much to do with ostentation and displays of wealth as anything else. Paul, in particular, seems much more interested in people of different classes getting along than anything else.
Donna
Donna; you make a good point in the fact that Paul was wanting people of different class status to get along. While yet I don't believe we should us modest dress in that only matter. Do we then believe that women of Christ can dress as if they were working the street corner when they are not in church? Or men dressing as if they are the pips for those women working the street corners?
Personal responsibility has taken a vacation in our country. You see it in schools, on the job, everywhere. I am responsible for my actions and for what I evoke to everyone around me. I represent Christ on this earth and I have to ask myself every day, how will my actions affect those I am in contact with or in the presence of. What am I presenting to those around me. I taught a girls class for a few years at Central and not only is it how we dress but it can be an action in perfectly modest clothing that incites lust in another person. It is just a fact of life that men are visual. Women are different. Christian men and women both have a responsibility to guard our behavior in any from the way we dress, how we use our actions, the tone of our voice, how we use our eyes, everything. That is not to say that everything we do should be taken in a wrong way and sometimes it is. Young men are warned in Proverbs about not going near the temptation because it is so easy to be drawn in. God tells them not to even look at it. Look straight ahead and walk away. Here the responsiblity is upon the young man because it was all around them in Bible times too. When you see an enticing situation to neither look left or right but look straight ahead. Kids, when you see a fight at school, don't be one of the people watching and cheering it on. Walk away. When a group of people are gossiping and you are tempted to join in, walk away. When a very popular TV show is all the rage but it is not what we should be watching turn it off or walk away. We represent Christ here and are watched by those around us as an example of Him on earth. We are lights. Do we crucify him again with our actions or do we take action to stay away from the kind of behavior that we are surrounded with on TV, movies and in music. It's not about me anymore, it's all about Him. I don't think we have to be prudes and never have fun. Nobody likes to laugh and have fun more than Bill and I but there is good clean fun. Being a Christian will give you the most satisfying and joyful life you can imagine. In the world, the hunger is never quenched, only in Chist can contentment be found and peace. I am thankful for a grandmother and mother(who are now gone) who provided for their family alot of happy memories at Christmas and Thanksgiving. We were very poor and never had a turkey at Thanksgiving in our younger years and it hurt to go to school and have everyone tell what they had for Thanksgiving and not be able to join in. In later years though it became a wonderful, food filled time of thankfulness and celebration and mother hoarded food to give to her family and others when she finally had enough to share. I treasure those memories and try to make the good memories for my own children and grandchildren because I want to share the blessings of a loving home and warmth to them. I remember bringing people who didn't have family with us to those celebrations at Mother's house and how much it meant to those we brought. We are so blesssed and I am so thankful every day. God bless you all this wonderful day. Sherron
In response to the previous anonymous posting, obviously we're not to dress in a way that is overtly sexual. That's a given. I object, though, to the fact that Allen only addressed the question of responsibility to women. Also, the fact that men are more visual doesn't bring to bear on the main point, at all. We all have a fallen, sinful nature. We all have a tendency to sin. None of us should dress or behave in a way that is overtly sexual, simply because that's inappropriate as a person who professes faith. But, I see this as a watered-down version of the centuries-old idea that men are "good" and women are wicked, corrupting men with their sexuality, and that women must, therefore, be controlled. (Incidentally, I'm pretty sure that even if women were covered from head to foot, men would be gooning at their ankles!)
Donna
Donna; you make some very good points and you address the points that the last anonymous sent. The the point that historically women have been seen as evil and needed as you put it controlled; I believe this goes back to the story of Adam and Eve. Who to saten first tempt and then who tempted Adam. My own opinion is that this story says nothing about the strength or lack of in either gender. I alway figured Adam was watching a ballgame while Eve was working in the garden. (ha,ha)Yet I see how many take this story and twist it show that women are by nature the more wicked in tempting men to fall. Robin
Now, Donna, let’s calm down (I am laughing); you’re frightening the children and the timid. I’m not sure where you got the stuff that lead you to where you are. You certainly didn’t get it from me or any of these posts, best I can tell. I am trying work with what Jesus says.
It is interesting to me that Jesus uses the same radical language about the eye and hand in Matthew 18 (7,8). There he directs it toward anyone who would cause another to sin. That seems to suggest that my actions can cause others to sin. I certainly did not mean to offend you or anyone else. I am just raising a question. Ultimately we are all responsible for our own actions. I need not look. And I shouldn’t dress (or undress) in way that causes you to look. That’s all.
I appreciate Sherron’s words. I think they ring true. Simple. Practical. Wise.
We can move onto something else, if you want.
Just for the record: I love Donna and the spirit she brings to discussions! It is helpful.
Allen, I'm not at all mad. A bit too tenacious, maybe, but never mad. (Is anyone taking bets to see how long it is before I get banned from this blog?:0))
Donna
I love your passion, Donna! You are good for me and us all. You keep me from being intellectually lazy, that’s for certain. This is place of free expression. [I will only delete obscene comments or comments made by kids playing around; actually have done the latter twice.]
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From KINGDOM ETHICS by Stassen and Gushee (p. 299-300):
“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.” It is certainly the heart that is the ultimate source of sin, but it is just as certainly our eyes that we use to participate in that sin. No, we are not supposed to gouge out our eyes. But we are supposed to deal in a very disciplined manner with visual cues that take us in the wrong direction, especially if that is the primary source of our sexual temptation.
Consider the example of sexually explicit media. If I want to live in obedience to God’s command and avoid doing anything that might begin to turn my heart, I will be very careful about the media that I set before my eyes (or my ears, for that matter). We live in a society in which sexual titillation is of course one of the most successful forms of media around. Further, sexual content has become more and more explicit and more and more widely available. The internet has now made sexually graphic material accessible at the click of a mouse, radically intensifying the visually available temptation to sin now available in the average home.
So I do not gouge out my eye. I might, however, “gouge out” the premium movie channel on my cable television subscription. I might “gouge out” much of the sexual content on my internet provider by acquiring a filtering program. When traveling, I might “gouge out” the pay-porn movie options by notifying the front desk upon arrival of my preference that this be done. In other words, taking care to restrict what appears before my eyes is not legalism but instead simply a concrete expression of a will to live as a kingdom citizen. If my heart is not right on this matter, no such steps can keep my thoughts pure. However, there is a two-way connection between eyes and heart; the heart is affected by what the eyes see, and enough of the wrong kind of stimulation can lead the heart astray. This is simple realism.
Thanks for the kind words, guys.
D.
I love Donna's spunk and friendly smile. When I was working with the young people I was reprimanded for being liberal by teaching young Jr Hi and High School age boys in a combined class when the boys' teacher was away that week and there was noone else to teach them because I was a woman and was not supposed to teach 'men'. Now that is legalism. I think it is healthy to think outside the box and that is what I love about Mitchell Church. I love the accepting atmosphere. It has been a breath of fresh air for us the past seven years. God's word is our guide in all things and Christ is our example. I think if we just listen to His words with open minds and obedient hearts our lives would be so much simpler. I love every one of you and we are going to be in the front row on Saturday night to see Mr Adam Roberts be 'Ralphie' in The Christmas Story, one of our favorite Christmas movies. Have a wonderful and blessed evening. Love you all, Sherron
I think we have an incredible responsibility as women to not dress in such a way that attracts sexual attention. We are indeed our brother's keeper. We also have the responsibility to teach our daughters to dress with respect to the Lord. So often teenage girls come to church with skirts soooo short and tops so tight.....I watch the young men as they pass out communion. How do we expect them to keep their minds and hearts on the Lord's supper when so much is hanging out? They are confronted with it everywhere. Should there not be a respite in church?
While I cannot control what another is thinking, I can to the best of my ability, dress in a way that does not attract sexual attention. Women know when they look "hot". They know exactly what response they evoke in a man and often crave that attention. It is, of course, very shallow, but also is quite damaging to the men involved.
The burka issue? You might be surprised. Men actually don't gape at women in Muslum countries - the price is too high! Do I suggest we wear burkas? Of course not! But I do believe, as it applies to all areas of our life, we must filter our own liberty through the screen of how it would affect everyone around us. We are the representation of Christ here on this earth. How would He have us dress, behave, communicate? Those are sobering issues. Our time here is so short and the mandate to live Christ to the world, and to each other, is so important. The world craves true Christians who live in sacrificial love with those around them.
Everyone's gone quiet! I am thankful for many things, one of which is Lipscomb University. I have been shaped and formed in many ways by it. We visited there last week. I was impressed in many ways. It is really changing and improving, and it was already good. I am thrilled that Luke plans to attend there to study engineering.
I was reading Mike Cope's blog this afternoon and ran across this post. Did my heart good. Here is what he said:
I just finished speaking in chapel at Lipscomb University in Nashville. This is such an impressive place. I’ve written before about Randy and Rhonda Lowry and what great leaders they are. (Randy is now the president of DLU.)
Last night, I got to eat with several of their students. A great bunch–close, fun-loving, passionate about the mission of Christ.
I’m reminded again of what a great Bible department they have here: Mark Black, Terry Briley, Lee Camp, John Mark Hicks, Gary Holloway, Earl Lavendar, John York, etc.
As I’ve said before, I look for great days ahead for this school.
It went quiet and do you notice Allen is the only man who wrote.......can't say I blame them
Annette
I am laughing! Why? Because Robin is a man also. Yes, Robin and I are the only men brave (foolish?) enough to dive into this area.
I really wish some men would talk about some of their struggles with lust based on looking (see passage). To what degree do women have a problem with visual lust? Anonymous posts are very welcome in this environment.
I also thought of King David today. He looked, lusted, and committed adultery.
Allen thank you for stating that I was a man; sometimes I wonder if I am a mouse (ha,ha); I also have wondered about my state of mind to have entered this blog on such a topic. As it has been stated in the past males are very visual beings and females are not so much so when it comes to sexuality. This is the first time I have had a chance to get on the blog today due to being busy here at work. On a side note for others out there; I have stated this to Allen before that I have found this blog to be my church when not at church. If I am having a difficult day here I try to close my office door and just read what is being said on the blog; sometimes I will write something other times I just read and then think about what has been said and focus on the important things of life. Hope all have had a good day; maybe Thursday will bring more chater to the blog. Robin
Thanks Mighty Mouse! Ha!
Actually that was/is very encouraging and partial fulfillment to what I hope this spot will be. My goal is to create a little bit of a cyber community that will be "listening for God" as we discuss biblical texts and how they work in real life, but more than that, I hope we just share thoughts and feelings about anything on our hearts and minds, listening for the divine voice in those also.
The post "Random Thoughts" and all it subsequent comments (a few weeks ago) has changed our church some, and we are still working on/through some things in response to those posts. It serves as an example of how this can be valuable and truly effective.
Sorry Robin, I guess I don't know who you are, my bad. I do the same thing ie checking the blog throughout the week, keeps me connected and keeps me grounded. This blog did turn out to be a really good thing, thanks Allen.
Annette
As I am working on our sermon for Sunday, I thought of something a guy a long time ago said. St. John Climacus or Scholasticus, who lived sometime during the late 6th to the mid 7th century, wrote a very influential book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent. He described a ladder that reaches to Heaven on which there are thirty steps, corresponding to the thirty unknown years of Christ’s life. In Step 15:89, Climacus wrestles with the problem of human nature. Here is what he said:
What is this mystery in me? What is the meaning of this blending of body and soul? How am I constituted a friend and foe to myself? Tell me, tell me, my yoke-fellow, my nature, for I shall not ask anyone else in order to learn about you. How am I to remain unwounded by you? How can I avoid the danger of my nature? For I have already made a vow to Christ to wage war against you. How am I to overcome your tyranny? For I am resolved to be your master.
I think he describes the battle that most men have with the flesh. It really is a battle, and we often lose it with a look that lingers too long.
What can we do??
Annette no harm no foul. I was the one that read last Sunday. Allen you make a very good point about it being a continous battle. This next comment is in no way condoning or pointing a gender fingure at anyone. I have found that many women no matter how old don't accept this. This is also a topic that much of the time is one that you aviod like religion and politics. It is part of the fallen nature of the male gender. Robin
Hey all!
I have been busy this week but had a couple opportunities to take a look at the dialogue here this week. Wow, some great insight and some great thoughts. I did expect someone to evoke "Godwin's Law" at some point, but that hasn't happened yet. Ha. It is really great to see this family be able to debate and discuss topics in such a manner freely. This is one thing that I am truly thankful for. I am not the normal conventional thinker ( I know a great shock to all of you!)To me the best sermons are the ones that Allen doesn't give us the answers but leaves us with a question and we have to ponder his dialogue to come to resolution ourselves. Some I know and maybe the old school of thought is that the minister "tells" us what the scripture says and we just go from there. That doesn't work for me. I think this type of discussion here is how we get to the root of God's word and what he is saying. I am always fascinated to see what others feel the scripture says to them.
On Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday. Maybe because it is less commercialized than the others. You have Halloween stuff in the stores in July and Christmas in August or September but Thanksgiving just kind of falls there somewhere. It is kind of like the "bargain aisle" in the store between the necessities and the desires. One of the great things about Thanksgiving is that is a pause for at least a day with family and friends.
Allen your post today seems to be a great follow up to the post earlier and to the topic of lust. It is a battle and that is probably the best way to describe it. There is winner and a loser and there are sacrificies to be made on both sides. The ongoing battle with lust shows the human spirit's fraility and the weakness of the human mind and emotions but also how powerful God can be if he is called upon to help. This log has focused only on lust from a sexual perspective but lust can be others areas of your life and people struggle with lust there as well. It seems to me that peope lust for a better job, for wealth, for a fancier car or home or for stardom and notariety as well. These are as harmful as they rob the individual and their family of the person's energy and emotions as well.
(There you go Allen, no more "Chicken")
RR
Well, I am glad Mr. Chicken, RR, finally showed up. No fowl thoughts there. (Sorry.)
Robin points out that visual lust, which is what Jesus is addressing, seems to be mostly a male problem. I think that is right. Women are also fallen, so how does this problem show up in them/you? Jerry and Lynn talked a lot about this kind of thing and seemed to parallel porno for men and romance novels/soap operas for women. Any validity to that? Also, believe it or not, [WARNING WARNING, POSSIBLE PROVOCATIVE STATEMENT], some say that women and shopping parallel the lust thing for men. (RR hints at this, maybe?)
OK, I am going to hide now.
Maybe its just to hard for us to understand Robin. Sitting here thinking about it being such a problem kind of blows my mind. The conclusion I came to is this....since God has given men the role of head of the family, church etc, big responsibilities..maybe the affliction is meant to keep you humble and on your knees.
And thinking about this gives me a greater appreciation for godly men.
Annette
Too funny Allen. Not all of us get to shop or have the time to watch soap operas. I really don't think anything parallels it. Unless it would be periods every month year in year out, thru vacations, swimming parties...you see my point...and also child bearing..you guys have nothing that paralelles this.
Annette
Allen, are you implying that there is male sin and female sin? An interesting thought. I was actually not advocating that women had a lust problem as men but in a different area. my thought or point was that sexual lust is just one area of lust. it appears that god used it here to make a point, but in the big picture lust of different types exist and are harmful as well. i honestly had not thought of drawing anologies between male lust and female lust but that is an interesting point.
now, though i am really going to stir the pot. did god not create woman? did he not make women in a manner that would be attractive to man and did he not make man and his emotions and feeling thus as part of his plan he made female to be attractive to man and in a manner created the lust emotion in man or at least the desire factor in the equation? is this why it is used as a reference here, because god knows that man has this issue from creation?
RR
Ryan gets the wooden spoon award. He is stirring it up! ha ha. Actually very good questions you ask, Ryan.
And Diane, thanks for your honest, good comment. I love your spirit. It seems holy to me.
Heading off to Corydon...
Everybody's been talking about "male" lust and "female" lust as if they were radically different things. They're not. Both are illicit sexual desire, based primarily on physical attraction. Even though men are more visual (supposedly; I haven't seen the science, so I couldn't say)women lust after men for similar reasons. There's a reason why Tom Selleck and Brad Pitt are popular, and it ain't their stellar personalities! The only other thing that elicits a strong lust in women is power. We like the alpha wolf, even if he isn't much to look at (which explains why men like Donald Trump has no trouble attracting women, despite the fact he has a face like a shoe.)
Donna
And I always thought it was Donald Trump's hair that allowed him to attract those beautiful women. Go figure.
Read Job 31:1-11. Compare Job's words with David's actions in 2 Samuel 11:1-4. The eyes have it; they seem to be the key for the success and failure of these two guys.
i, personally do think that women are evil, and basically all male sin can be blamed on this fact. tw
Thanks TW. Now I can go to bed smiling. The issue has been settled.
I think if there are 'empty spots' in our lives, (and I think most of us have those if we are honest) we try to fill them in with the thing we are most vulnerable to. I have a problem with food and to salve a wound I will hide and eat which is harmful to my health and I only feel worse afterwards and feel guilt because I know I have harmed my body. I love to shop and have a small allowance that I can stretch a long way because I am a bargain hunter but the time I waste doing that could be better spent reading and studying or just resting. I think moderation is the key to most areas of our lives, at least it is to mine and I have plenty of work to do on myself. I fight with it just like everyone else. This is, as we know part of our fallen nature. We can all take courage in the fact that we have a loving God who forgives and as long as we sincerely try to live for Him, His grace covers our shortcomings. He fills the empty spots if we let Him. We are not without help and it is comforting to know that His Spirit works in us all to do the right thing. Focusing on Him and His word in every moment of our lives helps us avoid the temptations that entice us all in various ways. I think this is a healthy and open project that Allen has begun and I think we will all profit and learn from knowing one another as we struggle together to our final goal of Heaven. Have a wonderful day, Sherron
TW, I love you man! Brutal honesty!I sure hope Big Daddy reads this.
I just read an article the Dutch Parliment is drafting legislation to outlaw the wearing of burgas in public. Do they have any idea what they are doing? :)
RR
Clearly they do not! And when was the last time you heard someone talk about hot Amish babe, "you know, the one in the bonnet and blue dress."?
OK, we are ending the week with some humor. Is that OK with everyone?
Sorry, this came to mind today, and I just found it. It is an old Mel McDaniels song. Anybody remember it? Clearly Mel thinks the girl has no responsibility.
Down on the corner, by the traffic light,
everybody's lookin', as she goes by,
they turn their heads and they, watch her till she's gone.
Lord have mercy, Baby's got her blue jeans on!
Up by the bus stop, and across the street,
open up their windows, to take a peek,
while she goes walking, rockin' like a rollin' stone.
Heaven help us, baby's got her blue jeans on!
[CHORUS]
She can't help it if she's made that way,
she's not to blame if they look her way,
she ain't really tryin' to cause a scene,
it just comes naturally, No, the girl can't help it.
Well up on main street, by the taxi stand,
there's a crowd of people, and a traffic jam,
she don't look back, she ain't doin' nothing' wrong,
Lord have mercy, baby's got her blue jeans on!
She can't help it if she's made that way,
she's not to blame if they look her way,
she ain't really tryin' to cause a scene,
it just comes naturally, Naw, the girl can't help it.
Down on the corner, by the traffic light,
everybody's lookin', as she goes by,
they turn their heads and they, watch her till she's gone.
Lord have mercy, Baby's got her blue jeans on!
Heaven help us, baby's got her blue jeans on!
It wasn't quite brutal honesty, just brutally ignorant humor, but it was a lot of fun. tw
What my best friend, Abby, said in first grade still holds true:
"Boys are weird."
Donna
Yeah, but girls have cooties.
* * *
I read Garrison K.'s "Writer's Almanac" everyday, and this morning this is poem about Campbellsburg, IN. Here is the url:
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/ [You will have to cut and paste it, I think. I haven't figured out to hyperlink in the comment section yet.]
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