I'm struggling with sexual purity

JesusFreek · Sep 8, 2014

This is hard for me to post, but I'm really struggling with sexual purity. I'm 17 and me and my boyfriend have been together for 1.5 years. We are both committed to waiting until marriage, but with me going to college it's going to be 5 years away I am tempted a lot. Not necesssarily to have sex with him but to have orgasms and masturbate. I want to stay pure and I don't want to screw myself up to badly. I guess I'm just looking for advice from people who have been in long term relationships and been able to somehow make it work. I know it's possible, but I need help.

Enlightened1 · Sep 9, 2014

Take my advice masturbation is just as wrong as premarital sex and it's just has addicting as sex can be. I'm 26 and I'm still a virgin and I started masturbating before I understood it was sin and now I haven't been able to stop now that I know. It's very miserable and heartbreaking to be bound to sexual sin so please stay away from it when you feel the urge just try and pray and read about what God does to the sexual immoral. I know it's easier said than done but you have to because it's very dangerous if you don't.

EmethAlethia · Sep 9, 2014

My question is, where in scripture is masturbation even mentioned? And don't use the guy who was commanded by God to raise up an heir for his brother, and had the fun and pulled out at the end. He didn't get consequences for "pleasuring himself", he got consequences for disobeying the command of God and not raising up an heir for his brother.

While you are at it, this commandment, and the concept of needing to follow it, is mentioned in the N.T. as well? Has this commandment of God ever been rescinded? Is it still God's will?

Be careful because teaching as doctrines the precepts of men is not considered a good thing, nor is nullifying the commandments of God to hold to your traditions. Both of these are proof that you care more about what you want to believe than you care about what the word of God actually says and means.

For those of you who are interested in digging deeper, who understand that apparent contradictions between what we "believe" and what God said, did, didn't say, didn't do, what Godly men and women did and didn't do ... all points to erroneous beliefs on our part, consider the following:

David had 6 wives, and kids by 5 of them, PRIOR to committing adultery. What was God's definition of adultery in the O.T.? Next, Solomon had almost 1000 wives and concubines. He not only looked at them naked, he had sex with them and kids with them. God does reprove Solomon for his wives. He reproves him for taking "Foreign wives". That is the ONLY thing that, according to God, Solomon did that was sin.

Why isn't Solomon the poster child for ungodly lust? Why didn't Jesus Himself call Solomon on the carpet for it? Why do all of the writers about ungodly lust in the N.T. not even mention the "other" "sins" most Christians believe Solomon was guilty of, that pertain to lust and adultery? How many "godly" men in the O.T. had multiple wives? Is there any "COMMAD" in scripture, (No, not explanations of why a man and women leave their parents, i.e. to have sex), not to have multiple wives? If so, why did almost all of the godly men ignore God, and why did God not reprove them. Come to think of it, look at the reproof of David by the prophet. Who gave David the wives of His enemies? What about God's commands about, when you take an additional wife, do not lessen the first wife's support or marital rights?

The question isn't whether or not we can alter the meaning of words, terms ... to fit our beliefs, and ignore context, wording, and meaning to prove our beliefs true and all opposing beliefs false. Everyone can. The question is, are we willing to alter our beliefs to fit truth, or are we going to alter the truth to fit our beliefs? That which you love least will be modified to fully conform, and support, that which you love most. What you do with the word proves on which side of the equation you are on.

Riv · Sep 10, 2014

EmethAlethia said:

My question is, where in scripture is masturbation even mentioned? And don't use the guy who was commanded by God to raise up an heir for his brother, and had the fun and pulled out at the end. He didn't get consequences for "pleasuring himself", he got consequences for disobeying the command of God and not raising up an heir for his brother.

While you are at it, this commandment, and the concept of needing to follow it, is mentioned in the N.T. as well? Has this commandment of God ever been rescinded? Is it still God's will?

Be careful because teaching as doctrines the precepts of men is not considered a good thing, nor is nullifying the commandments of God to hold to your traditions. Both of these are proof that you care more about what you want to believe than you care about what the word of God actually says and means.

For those of you who are interested in digging deeper, who understand that apparent contradictions between what we "believe" and what God said, did, didn't say, didn't do, what Godly men and women did and didn't do ... all points to erroneous beliefs on our part, consider the following:

David had 6 wives, and kids by 5 of them, PRIOR to committing adultery. What was God's definition of adultery in the O.T.? Next, Solomon had almost 1000 wives and concubines. He not only looked at them naked, he had sex with them and kids with them. God does reprove Solomon for his wives. He reproves him for taking "Foreign wives". That is the ONLY thing that, according to God, Solomon did that was sin.

Why isn't Solomon the poster child for ungodly lust? Why didn't Jesus Himself call Solomon on the carpet for it? Why do all of the writers about ungodly lust in the N.T. not even mention the "other" "sins" most Christians believe Solomon was guilty of, that pertain to lust and adultery? How many "godly" men in the O.T. had multiple wives? Is there any "COMMAD" in scripture, (No, not explanations of why a man and women leave their parents, i.e. to have sex), not to have multiple wives? If so, why did almost all of the godly men ignore God, and why did God not reprove them. Come to think of it, look at the reproof of David by the prophet. Who gave David the wives of His enemies? What about God's commands about, when you take an additional wife, do not lessen the first wife's support or marital rights?

The question isn't whether or not we can alter the meaning of words, terms ... to fit our beliefs, and ignore context, wording, and meaning to prove our beliefs true and all opposing beliefs false. Everyone can. The question is, are we willing to alter our beliefs to fit truth, or are we going to alter the truth to fit our beliefs? That which you love least will be modified to fully conform, and support, that which you love most. What you do with the word proves on which side of the equation you are on.

Masterbation is sin, the bible doesn't have to directly talk about a subject for us to understand that its wrong or to understand it falls under another category of sin in this case sexual immortality, It breaches gods intention for us and his design.

The bible doesn't directly say anything about pedophillia either so would you have people think that its not sin? no because its an abomination!

Galatians 5:16

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

xeniego · Sep 10, 2014

Let me share a link. I hope you could read it.
It's enlightening and it helps you look at sexual urges as God's gifts, worthy of thanksgiving.

Sex and the Single Person | Desiring God

Animus · Sep 12, 2014

EmethAlethia said:

In regards to polygamy in the Bible https://answersingenesis.org/family/marriage/what-about-polygamy-in-the-bible/

And no, masturbation is not mentioned, but it is an obvious act of lust.

My advice is to the original poster is to be honest with yourself. Most people say that they want God to take away their sexual sins but secretly they are also adding, in the back of their mind, "but not just yet". Jesus talked about cutting out your eye and cutting off your hand to avoid sin, and thankfully it never really needs to get quite that extreme, but it should make giving up a T.V. show or a harmless "cuddle" or kissing much easier by comparison. Be honest with yourself, you know that you probably cannot do this on will power alone, so you are going to have to setup sound rules based on your knowledge of yourself and how you end up losing control. If you haven't noticed what things end up leading you into sexual sin, consider writing down possible causes every time you make a mistake. If you notice that something is always preceding your fall, cut it out.

EmethAlethia · Sep 14, 2014

I do understand a desire to hold fast to your beliefs no matter what. But you do not answer the inconsistencies of your chosen views and scripture. Why no adultery for David until wife 7? Why no adultery for Solomon at all? Why no sexual sin for Solomon ... at all? Why no statements about his wicked lust anywhere in scripture? Was masturbation unheard of in bible times and therefore not mentioned? Is it something new to this century? The question isn't whether you can believe whatever you want. Anyone can. The question is, what fits with the fullness of scripture with all of it cut straight so that everything fits with everything else. I understand the modern definitions of the word lust. I understand the modern definitions of the word adultery. I understand that those meanings are not consistent with the meanings of those words in modern English.

What kind of touching is involved in 1 Cor. 7:1. Look at the next verse. What does this "touching" lead to? Why is it that it is better to get married if this is going on? To avoid fornication (Illicit intercourse), right? According to the passage it is better to remain single than to get married UNLESS this is an issue. Also, according to the passage, even setting aside time for prayer, is not an excuse not to engage in sexual intercourse anytime EITHER spouse desires it. Lust, the evil thing you are referring to, does not apply in marriage. (Could be why Solomon was never mentioned with regards to the issue. Just a thought.) There some passages that pertain to divorce etc. that follow and then Paul jumps in again.

1Co 7:36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.

Some points. First off, at what point are the two individuals as of verse 1 in the passage? What is the reason to get married in verse 2? Is lust evil, even full indulgence of it as of verse 3, IF YOU ARE MARRIED? What is the reason for getting married in verse 36? Does this tie in with verse 1? DO THEY SIN IF THEY GET MARRIED FOR THIS REASON? According to the definition that is consistent throughout scripture, has anyone committed fornication at the point of verse 1? If you are to the point of acting unbecomingly, but have not committed fornication, HAVE YOU SINNED ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE? Look at the next verse:

1Co 7:37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.

In other words, if you can control yourself, and not put yourself in danger of "fornication", and there is no risk of it, and you aren't in the position of verse #1 in this passage, it is better to remain single and avoid this altogether. Otherwise, marriage is the way to go. Oops, forgot a verse. No one's perfect. One more:

1Co 7:9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Sorry, two more:

1Co 7:28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.

The point is, again, if you can control yourself, and not get to the point where you are touching in such a way that it leads to fornication, GREAT. Avoid marriage. Otherwise, it is better to get married than to risk fornication. The important part is the point at which people sin. When you are at the point where you "risk" fornication you are to get married. Has anyone sinned at this point? Not in accordance with feelings, or opinions, or beliefs ... in accordance with the meaning of scripture. Have you sinned if you are doing things for which, if you do not get married, you will commit fornication, ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, and you get married for those reasons?

1Co 7:36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.

Yes, there are other things that apply. You have no business spending ANY time with ANYONE who is not a Christian. Yes, EVERYONE should seek to remain single, but not everyone has that gift. Yes, there is a "Gift" of singleness, and there is, another gift, the gift of the need to get married because you have issues with self-control with regards to sex and will commit fornication if you don't:

1Co 7:7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

Again, the issue isn't whether or not we can believe anything we want and try and find justification for it. The issue is what fits with everything that is written, everything that was done, everything that God didn't say anything about and did not correct, EVERYTHING without leaving anything out, without making God, Christ, godly men ... completely inconsistent ... I understand that what I am saying is not popular and that people will close their eyes and ears to anything that doesn't fit with their "modern" views. That's not the point. I produce scriptures. I ask questions and ask you to explain about the lack of reproof of David for his first wives, the lack of reproof of Solomon when he is not only looking at a thousand naked women, and not only touching them sexually, but actually sleeping with them and having kids with them. I know you don't want to look or consider that your beliefs might be off. But the truth ... which view makes God 100% consistent? Which view allows God to be the one who gave David his wives, even the wives of his enemies AND NOT SIN?

The bible talks about those with closed eyes and ears. The bible talks about those with a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge, those that merely seek out justification for their beliefs, but are unwilling to subject themselves to the truth of all that the word of God says and means.

If you have scriptures that prove your view does not make God completely inconsistent, does not make God a sinner by providing David with multiple wives, that proves that God did not make commandments governing the taking of additional wives ... share the scriptures, and without altering the meaning of the passages I being up, from the context in which they are found, show how God consistently upheld your modern definitions of these words and terms. I am open to altering my views in the light of ALL that the word of God says and means, in such a way that it makes God consistent even if it prove me, or all of you, out to be liars. ALL of it, cut-straight so everything fits. I honestly see no other way that all of the things God, and the godly, did and didn't do fits with everything else. SHOW ME.

And no, we should just know that everything pertaining to lust is evil, even though God never said anything, never reproved anybody ... doesn't cut it. By that mode of reasoning I can name anything I want to be evil and simply claim that you should know it is, redefine any words in scripture that I want to mean anything I want, and take that as an end of argument. Please hold to a meaning that fits everywhere that the same words, and root words are used throughout the scriptures. Thanks.

Riv · Sep 14, 2014

I still don't understand why you keep bringing up Solomon and David having multipule wives. Its not sinful to have more then one wife although God does make it clear its better for us only to have one as people who are appointed in leadership are to be a husband of one wife and again Leah, Jacobs wife illustrates one of the reasons why this is. But what Solomon did was infact wrong because even though it isn't sinful to have more then one wife we are called lead in a relationship as men providing them with what they need in a food and material sense but also spiritual guidence and intimacy which can not be maintained when you have 1000 wives and also because he did do this he became susceptible to influnce of the wemon and their foreign Ideas and fauls gods because he was walking by the ways of the flesh and desire and not by the way of the God through his spirit. he chose wemon over the lord and the lord warned them not to do this but this was not just a warning about foreign wives but just wives because the amount of wives he had took his focus off the lord and the desire to have many wives led his heart from God.

Deuteronomy 17:17
17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

Intercourse should not majorly be about your own sexual drive being satisfied and your needs being met like the world portrays it today, sexual activity should be about comforting and attending and connecting with your spouse it should be more about the other person and more so to man to his wife because he is leader in the relationship. but the act of masterbation is a selfish act of lust pleasing your own self and using something god had designed for a loving relationship between man and wife and defiling it.

Riv · Sep 14, 2014

JesusFreek said:

Try not look at it as five years away and look at it more one and a half years in, many people wait a few years before they get married but I can see how five years might seem like a long time to wait but stay strong sister we all face temptation but we need to stay strong in Jesus taking up our cross daily.

Is there some reason you can't marry during your time at college?

Genesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

EmethAlethia · Sep 14, 2014

Riv,

As long as you state that those are your "feelings" and that there is no scriptural basis for your conclusion, and are not "creating" a doctrine of men, and teaching it as if it is a commandment of God, I have no problem with you holding to your own belief for yourself. Since, whatever is not from faith is sin, I would say that anyone who believes as you do had best not do anything along these lines, just as I would say that if you believed you should only worship Friday night till Saturday night, then you, for yourself, had best follow that regime.

As far as what God said about Solomon, He never commented on how many wives Solomon took. He never said anything about his indulging every desire with them. All God said Solomon messed up on was taking foreign wives. You are entitled to your opinions and beliefs, even if they make God inconsistent, and God never said any such thing to support them. They do make God inconsistent though. Again, check the scriptures and you will never find a comment, by God, Christ, or any bible writer that indicates anything at all contrary to the will of God, other than the foreign wives part. God did make it a point, not only to mention that, but to also mention Solomon's consequences for violating this precept.

There is no way to argue against, or for, feelings, opinions, beliefs ... that aren't even in scripture. I leave you to your beliefs.

EmethAlethia · Sep 14, 2014

Scripture is clear, if you are in risk of committing fornication, and the person you are with is, without a doubt a Christian, then get married. The struggle is the reason, if you are at risk, obedience is the only option. IF YOU ARE BOTH IN CONTROL, there is no reason to get married AT ALL. You are best staying single according to scripture. Also, according to scripture, even if things have "gotten out of hand" or rather "into hand" a few times, if you haven't committed fornication, and you get married, you have not sinned. That's the only way the scriptures in 1 Cor. 7 make sense. If anybody can get anything different, without performing hermeneutical contortionism and completely distorting the meaning from context, or from the consistent meaning of the words as they are used throughout the scriptures, please let me know. I am not all that interested in feelings, opinions and beliefs, as I have my own, and none of them is reliable. None of yours are either.

A_Friend_In_Christ · Sep 14, 2014

The bible does not say to do whatever you want if you feel its ok.

MidniteWelder · Sep 14, 2014

A_Friend_In_Christ said:

True that Bro

EmethAlethia · Sep 14, 2014

The bible also doesn't say that we can take our feelings, beliefs, opinions ... without any scripture and claim that they are the commandments of God. If you disagree with what I have stated, let's go through the scriptures, analyze my claims and find the errors. If I am wrong I need to correct my beliefs to fit with what is consistent with the fullness of scripture with all of it rightly divided. If not, then let's just say that you are entitled to whatever beliefs you want, and you need to follow them, but if you have no scriptures, and in fact they are contrary to what God has said and done, just state that "this is my opinion" and leave it at that.

Again, if I am wrong, let's go through all the scriptures and you can point out my error(s). I posted plenty. Where am I off?

EmethAlethia · Sep 14, 2014

As always, if you believe ANYTHING is a sin for you, IT IS. Don't do it. If you believe playing cards is a sin, it is for you. If you believe eating shellfish is a sin, it is for you. Drinking alcohol ... eating pizza ... if you have that belief, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS AND MEANS, it is a sin for you. That is also what scripture teaches. Even if the word of God says, "YOU HAVE NOT SINNED" if something occurs, if you don't believe it, it is sin. Again, correct me if my view does not line up with the truth rightly divided.

Riv · Sep 14, 2014

In regards to taking many wives god did command for the kings not to take many wives I just quoted that deuteronomy 17:17 he said nothing about it being particularly foreign wives.

EmethAlethia · Sep 14, 2014

Riv said:

Good job by the way. This is a key verse. And, this is true, kings were not to heap to themselves, gold, horses or wives.

Funny about the lack of reproof since obviously Solomon had "Heaps" of everything in the list. Doesn't make sense that God wouldn't reprove him for such clear violations, unless, except for the foreign wives, the rest were a result of God's blessing. Just a possibility. It does explain why God wouldn't reprove Solomon for three express violations though. a

If, as a result of Solomon's great sacrifice, and asking only for wisdom, God promised to add to him all of the things he had not asked for, which He did, this would make sense. Obviously Solomon was blessed by God, and no one in the ancient world had stables / horses like Solomon did, the excavation of his stables is an amazing thing to view. look it up. Also, no one amassed gold, and wealth of all kinds as Solomon did. R

As a side note, remember who gave David his multiple wives? Look that up online as well. When the prophet reproves David ... the conversation is quite interesting. Look it up. Very revealing... It seems that it wouldn't be the first time God blessed a man with something, and then the man went to far with it. David with another man's wife, and Solomon with foreign wives. To me it all fits. Since it isn't stated, it is conjecture to a point, but if it isn't true, than again, God is inconsistent, unreliable, and chooses not to reprove Solomon for obviously violating this passage (3) ways. If it was God's blessing, and not Solomon's doing, then there is nothing to reprove ... until the foreign wives anyway.

That's a good quote though. I had some difficulty trying to put the pieces together myself, so that everything fit and everything made sense with what God did and didn't do and did, and didn't say. Obviously the "things Solomon got blessed with BY GOD, that were not asked for, would include some of the abundance that he amassed over the years. Gold ... horses ... and, for consistencies sake, I have no reason to doubt wives as well. All I can say is, as far as scripture goes, the number wasn't an issue, the indulging every sexual desire with them wasn't an issue, nothing ELSE other than the fact that Solomon took foreign wives, was an issue with God. From the evidence, and the lack thereof, I can state that emphatically.

Again, if you disagree, all it takes is one scripture, in context, not distorting the meaning of words ... I await evidence.... proof ... from what I see, everything fits.

Stephen63 · Sep 14, 2014

EmethAlethia said:

While masturbation isn't listed, what it takes to perform the sin is.

Matthew 5:27-28 (KJV) [SUP]27 [/SUP]Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: [SUP]28 [/SUP]But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

One can 'look' with their eyes closed, when they imagine evil things.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV) [SUP]16 [/SUP]These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [SUP]17 [/SUP]A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [SUP]18[/SUP]An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [SUP]19 [/SUP]A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Riv · Sep 14, 2014

EmethAlethia said:

Good job by the way. This is a key verse. And, this is true, kings were not to heap to themselves, gold, horses or wives.

Funny about the lack of reproof since obviously Solomon had "Heaps" of everything in the list. Doesn't make sense that God wouldn't reprove him for such clear violations, unless, except for the foreign wives, the rest were a result of God's blessing. Just a possibility. It does explain why God wouldn't reprove Solomon for three express violations though. a

If, as a result of Solomon's great sacrifice, and asking only for wisdom, God promised to add to him all of the things he had not asked for, which He did, this would make sense. Obviously Solomon was blessed by God, and no one in the ancient world had stables / horses like Solomon did, the excavation of his stables is an amazing thing to view. look it up. Also, no one amassed gold, and wealth of all kinds as Solomon did. R

As a side note, remember who gave David his multiple wives? Look that up online as well. When the prophet reproves David ... the conversation is quite interesting. Look it up. Very revealing... It seems that it wouldn't be the first time God blessed a man with something, and then the man went to far with it. David with another man's wife, and Solomon with foreign wives. To me it all fits. Since it isn't stated, it is conjecture to a point, but if it isn't true, than again, God is inconsistent, unreliable, and chooses not to reprove Solomon for obviously violating this passage (3) ways. If it was God's blessing, and not Solomon's doing, then there is nothing to reprove ... until the foreign wives anyway.

That's a good quote though. I had some difficulty trying to put the pieces together myself, so that everything fit and everything made sense with what God did and didn't do and did, and didn't say. Obviously the "things Solomon got blessed with BY GOD, that were not asked for, would include some of the abundance that he amassed over the years. Gold ... horses ... and, for consistencies sake, I have no reason to doubt wives as well. All I can say is, as far as scripture goes, the number wasn't an issue, the indulging every sexual desire with them wasn't an issue, nothing ELSE other than the fact that Solomon took foreign wives, was an issue with God. From the evidence, and the lack thereof, I can state that emphatically.

Again, if you disagree, all it takes is one scripture, in context, not distorting the meaning of words ... I await evidence.... proof ... from what I see, everything fits.

he said he would give him wealth and honour nothing about wives and it specifically said wives would lead his heart astray not money or horses but wives.

David had 7 wives if I recall, not 1000.

but this has nothing to do with masterbation in the first place.

EmethAlethia · Sep 14, 2014

Stephen,

While I understand your desire to make this passage support your beliefs, you will have to go through my earliest posts to get the Jewish, first century, meaning of the word adultery. The meaning of words used is essential. For example, while adultery is fornication, all fornication is not adultery. Fornication includes all kinds of unlawful intercourse. For example: Adultery, homosexuality, Bestiality, Pre-marital intercourse ... all of those. It is an issue of the meaning of words. We have a modern definition and understanding.

For example, if I take an additional wife, when do I commit adultery? The moment I sleep with my new wife, right? The problem is that that definition does not fit with God's. Do you realize that God has given a command that when you take an additional wife, you are not to decrease her marital rights(Right to sex), nor her support? Does God promote adultery? We already discussed the prophet who reproved David, and who gave David his wives, and Solomon who never committed adultery, or any "sexual" sin whatsoever, according to scripture, and yet indulged himself beyond the most lustful thoughts any man can think up.

You see, this is the background of the passage you bring up. Adultery, by God's definition, can only happen with a woman who is married to another living man. If the wording was "fornication" then we could "possibly" go where you are trying to go with this, but it's not. We can't change the meaning of words just because we want them to support what we believe with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and closing our eyes and ears to what is said and meant because we don't want to se or hear what God really has said, and really did mean, benefits no one. That said, let's look at the passage again:

Mat 5:28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

There is only one word for "married woman" in Greek. Again,. don't trust me, look it up. Again, the only way to commit adultery, by God's definition, is with a woman who is married to another living man. Consistent, right? Does it say that every man who looks intently(Check the meaning of the words in Greek), at a married woman, to dwell in lust, is doing exactly what it says, committing adultery, not fornication, with her, in his heart.

God / Jesus could have used the word for maid, and used the word for fornication, and while we would then have a contradiction with 1 Cor. 7, I would have to concede that being in the same room and dwelling on lust with ANY woman would be committing "Fornication" with her in your heart. No one, at the time of the writing of this verse, would have taken it to mean other than it says though. Given the words used, we are talking ONLY about a specific type of fornication. We are only talking about a specific situation: That requiring you to be in the presence of a woman married to another man, and dwelling on lust when she is in your presence. You cannot do that when she is not there.

This is not to say that there wasn't "Dirty" "artwork", paintings, pictures ... around all over the ancient world. If you look at the honest histories, the world was full of it at the time of Christ, and before. You just don't see mention of it. The issue is, what does it say, what does it mean? Is this actual adultery for which the men practicing it should be stoned? Is Jesus saying that they are committing adultery? No. This is a heart issue. Just for the record, this is wrong. This should never be done.

It is the same as the anger and murder thing. Can you ever commit adultery(With a woman married to another living man), and never have been in the same room dwelling on lust with her? The answer is no. Can you ever commit premeditated murder without fist dwelling on your anger against the person you are planning to murder? These things are "Playing with things GOD DOES SAY ARE SIN.". And while they are not stoning offenses, they show the "heart" of the person doing them.

Are there any passages that, in context, holding to a meaning of words consistent with how those same words are used throughout scripture, and consistent with everything God says, didn't say, did, didn't do ... that even discuss pornography, or, in this day and age, the sin of looking at dirty artwork?

Again, if God says nothing, I say nothing. If God says little, I say little. If He shouts from the housetops, I shout as well. My goal is not to "Alter" the meaning to have it fit my beliefs, but to interpret everything so that everything fits with everything else. If there appears to be a contradiction, the problem is with our beliefs, and forcing interpretations to support them. Our beliefs and interpretations are in error. God is consistent. Godly men and women are consistent. When God says THIS IS SIN, it is, and He reproves it. I understand your desire to have passages fit your beliefs. I really do. Changing their meaning to fit what you want to believe is just as good for you as it is for everyone else in the world who does it to make the scriptures prove their beliefs to be true. Do you love truth enough to force them to conform to truth, or will you force the truth to conform to your beliefs?

I have offered evidence, scriptures in context, proof that God does not care how much sex we have, how often, with how ever many wives as we want, that adultery is not what we modern western Christians think, and that ungodly lust has everything to do with illicit sexual intercourse, and that the passage in Matthew does not have the meaning that we modern western Christians try and force it to have either. It simply cannot be done unless you are in the presence of a woman who is married to another living man. That's the meaning. I did not choose the words for married woman and the word adultery. God/Jesus did.

That which we love least will always be forced to conform and support that which we love most. Every man loves either the truth, or his beliefs, more.

As always, unless you are firmly convinced that a thing is not sin, it is a sin for you, no matter what the word of God says and means. Stay sin free brethren... and ladies.

I'm struggling with sexual purity

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