StewardoftheMystery
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I am writing this thread because there are those who want to blame external things for the sinful actions of others. In this case, they want to blame the gun the killer used instead of blaming the killer himself. This thread is not about a gun debate though, so please do not try to turn it into one. This thread is about how it is the internal condition of the heart that causes one to sin, not the external things we see with our eyes, or handle with our hands. We see and touch all sorts of external objects with our eyes and hands, but this does not mean we have to lust after them.
Now there is no doubt many of the external things we see with our eyes that can incite one to lust in their hearts. But it is the lust in the heart that causes one to sin, not the external object itself. For instance, with men it might be looking at a beautiful woman that causes him to lust in his heart, and therefore by entertaining these lustful thoughts it causes him to sin. Is it the beautiful woman's fault that a man lusts in his heart and sins? Some may think so, like the Muslims who have their women covered from head to toe so they do not lust after them. But yet the men still lust because of the internal condition of an evil heart.
If a man lusts after and rapes a woman, do we then blame the woman? If a man digs a ditch with the intent of hurting his neighbor, do we then blame the ditch, or perhaps blame the shovel in which he dug it? Let us then make laws and ban all shovels so no one falls into a ditch! (I speak as a fool)
Now I believe woman should dress modestly, as the scriptures teach, because men who are of a lustful heart are easily tempted and drawn away. But we are surrounded daily by all manner of temptations that we need to resist and overcome, even our own thoughts. But being able to resist and overcome all manner of temptations starts first in the heart and mind of man. Man could make all kinds of laws banning all kinds of material things, but it would never change the sinful condition in man. That is why it is written, the law could make nothing perfect.
For lust to become our sin, it has to first be entertained in our heart and mind. It is like an unwelcome guest, we have to first let lust into the doorway of our house; entertain it, and feed it. And like a seed being nurtured in our heart, when lust is conceived, it then brings forth sin; and the fruit of sin is death.
Now if we removed all external things would that suddenly make man stop lusting in his heart and stop sinning? I don’t believe so, because lust is a condition that begins in the heart, which is caused by the spirit that is working in man. Just as it is written, the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. The only way to resolve this issue is by changing the heart and mind of man, and by giving him a new heart/mind and a new Spirit. This is why we must be born again of the Holy Spirit by having faith in Jesus Christ.
Lead us not into temptation Lord, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen
Now there is no doubt many of the external things we see with our eyes that can incite one to lust in their hearts. But it is the lust in the heart that causes one to sin, not the external object itself. For instance, with men it might be looking at a beautiful woman that causes him to lust in his heart, and therefore by entertaining these lustful thoughts it causes him to sin. Is it the beautiful woman's fault that a man lusts in his heart and sins? Some may think so, like the Muslims who have their women covered from head to toe so they do not lust after them. But yet the men still lust because of the internal condition of an evil heart.
If a man lusts after and rapes a woman, do we then blame the woman? If a man digs a ditch with the intent of hurting his neighbor, do we then blame the ditch, or perhaps blame the shovel in which he dug it? Let us then make laws and ban all shovels so no one falls into a ditch! (I speak as a fool)
Now I believe woman should dress modestly, as the scriptures teach, because men who are of a lustful heart are easily tempted and drawn away. But we are surrounded daily by all manner of temptations that we need to resist and overcome, even our own thoughts. But being able to resist and overcome all manner of temptations starts first in the heart and mind of man. Man could make all kinds of laws banning all kinds of material things, but it would never change the sinful condition in man. That is why it is written, the law could make nothing perfect.
For lust to become our sin, it has to first be entertained in our heart and mind. It is like an unwelcome guest, we have to first let lust into the doorway of our house; entertain it, and feed it. And like a seed being nurtured in our heart, when lust is conceived, it then brings forth sin; and the fruit of sin is death.
Now if we removed all external things would that suddenly make man stop lusting in his heart and stop sinning? I don’t believe so, because lust is a condition that begins in the heart, which is caused by the spirit that is working in man. Just as it is written, the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. The only way to resolve this issue is by changing the heart and mind of man, and by giving him a new heart/mind and a new Spirit. This is why we must be born again of the Holy Spirit by having faith in Jesus Christ.
Lead us not into temptation Lord, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen
