How many have Job’s mindset when it comes to adultery?

[Godbehonored]

Fornication and adultery is at an all time high even in the church. The reason is simple, no one has the mindset of Job when it comes to avoiding adultery and temptation of fornication.

The modern generation finds it comfortable with forming close friendships between opposite genders, and they think the devil will not seize the opportunity to tempt them. They forget the apostle’s warning that their adversary prowls like a lion seeking someone to devour. The devil is seeking every opportunity to tempt you and me into sinning sexually. Friendship with the opposite gender is a prime opportunity for that.

Because of this lack of discernment and lax attitude towards purity, marriages are broken, adultery is rampant. Men marry ungodly women, women marry ungodly men. They then blame the opposite gender for their broken relationship. But it is actually their own fault for developing ungodly friendships with the opposite genders in the first place.

What is Job’s attitude towards sexual purity?

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” - Job 31:1
“If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her.” - Job 31:9-10

How many Christian men or women have this kind of godly mindset? Repent.

 

[complete]

Fornication and adultery is at an all time high even in the church. The reason is simple, no one has the mindset of Job when it comes to avoiding adultery and temptation of fornication.

The modern generation finds it comfortable with forming close friendships between opposite genders, and they think the devil will not seize the opportunity to tempt them. They forget the apostle’s warning that their adversary prowls like a lion seeking someone to devour. The devil is seeking every opportunity to tempt you and me into sinning sexually. Friendship with the opposite gender is a prime opportunity for that.

Because of this lack of discernment and lax attitude towards purity, marriages are broken, adultery is rampant. Men marry ungodly women, women marry ungodly men. They then blame the opposite gender for their broken relationship. But it is actually their own fault for developing ungodly friendships with the opposite genders in the first place.

What is Job’s attitude towards sexual purity?

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” - Job 31:1
“If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her.” - Job 31:9-10

How many Christian men or women have this kind of godly mindset? Repent.

Hello @Godbehonored,

Thank you for this OP, and for bringing my mind to Job's words in 31:1 and 31:9-10.

Looking at these verses in my Bible, and looking at the marginal notes in regard to it, I see that this section 31:1-40 is headed, 'Solemn Asseveration of His Innocence', in which Job looks at various sins, such as, 'unchastity', 'deceit', 'dishonesty', 'Adultery', 'Injustice', 'Inhumanity', 'Sins of the heart (covetousness & Idolatry, malignity, inhospitality & hypocrisy, and 'Fraud'. The word 'I' is very evident throughout as he justifies himself, and declares his integrity in regard to each, with all honesty, for He was righteous in his own eyes.

* His final words in chapter 42 are quite different,

'Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
.. I know that thou canst do every thing,
.... and that no thought can be withholden from Thee.
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?
.. therefore have I uttered that I understood not;
.... things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
...... Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak:
........ I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear:
.. but now mine eye seeth Thee.
.... Wherefore I abhor myself,
...... and repent in dust and ashes.'
(Job 42:1-6)

* I cannot in all honesty justify myself before God as Job could: for I have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing. Looking back over my life before coming to God for salvation, and since, I have nothing to boast of, and would wish that it were otherwise, but, like Abraham, I have and do, by the grace of God, BELIEVE: believe in the all sufficiency of the work of Christ on my behalf, and look to Him for full salvation rich and free, and thereby am declared to be righteous, through the righteousness of Christ.

* You have drawn the plumb-line of God's word, and I do not measure up to it in the flesh: my mind and heart have become corrupted by sin and I have had to suffer it's consequences, though saved by God's grace. My children and grandchildren have not received the instruction that they should have had, because my carnal mind would not itself take instruction. At seventy-three I can see the old man with his deeds manifested in the long retrospective view that I have of the life I have lived, and the failures revealed there: and I am so grateful to the Lord that He has dealt mercifully with me, and endowed me with His grace in Christ Jesus my Lord, and delivered me from sin's ultimate consequence, by the gift of life in Christ Jesus.

* So, Yes! I can echo Job's final confession.:- '... but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes'.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Godbehonored]

Hello @Godbehonored,

Thank you for this OP, and for bringing my mind to Job's words in 31:1 and 31:9-10.

Looking at these verses in my Bible, and looking at the marginal notes in regard to it, I see that this section 31:1-40 is headed, 'Solemn Asseveration of His Innocence', in which Job looks at various sins, such as, 'unchastity', 'deceit', 'dishonesty', 'Adultery', 'Injustice', 'Inhumanity', 'Sins of the heart (covetousness & Idolatry, malignity, inhospitality & hypocrisy, and 'Fraud'. The word 'I' is very evident throughout as he justifies himself, and declares his integrity in regard to each, with all honesty, for He was righteous in his own eyes.

* His final words in chapter 42 are quite different,

'Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
.. I know that thou canst do every thing,
.... and that no thought can be withholden from Thee.
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?
.. therefore have I uttered that I understood not;
.... things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
...... Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak:
........ I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear:
.. but now mine eye seeth Thee.
.... Wherefore I abhor myself,
...... and repent in dust and ashes.'
(Job 42:1-6)

* I cannot in all honesty justify myself before God as Job could: for I have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing. Looking back over my life before coming to God for salvation, and since, I have nothing to boast of, and would wish that it were otherwise, but, like Abraham, I have and do, by the grace of God, BELIEVE: believe in the all sufficiency of the work of Christ on my behalf, and look to Him for full salvation rich and free, and thereby am declared to be righteous, through the righteousness of Christ.

* You have drawn the plumb-line of God's word, and I do not measure up to it in the flesh: my mind and heart have become corrupted by sin and I have had to suffer it's consequences, though saved by God's grace. My children and grandchildren have not received the instruction that they should have had, because my carnal mind would not itself take instruction. At seventy-three I can see the old man with his deeds manifested in the long retrospective view that I have of the life I have lived, and the failures revealed there: and I am so grateful to the Lord that He has dealt mercifully with me, and endowed me with His grace in Christ Jesus my Lord, and delivered me from sin's ultimate consequence, by the gift of life in Christ Jesus.

* So, Yes! I can echo Job's final confession.:- '... but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes'.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

God actually boasted of Job in front of Satan Himself, declaring him as a righteous man. But this thread is not about self debasement, it is about pointing out the lax attitude this generation has in terms of marriage and relationships. People are wilfully opening themselves up to the temptations of the devil by forming ungodly friendships with the opposite gender. Then they wonder down the road why they married abusive husbands and unfaithful wives.

Such was not the mindset of the ancient men of faith, Job is just one of them. They would not even look upon the opposite gender with lust, let alone form platonic friendships with them and have deep sensual relationships with women or men outside of marriage.

 

[complete]

Hello @Godbehonored,

Thank you for this OP, and for bringing my mind to Job's words in 31:1 and 31:9-10.

Looking at these verses in my Bible, and looking at the marginal notes in regard to it, I see that this section 31:1-40 is headed, 'Solemn Asseveration of His Innocence', in which Job looks at various sins, such as, 'unchastity', 'deceit', 'dishonesty', 'Adultery', 'Injustice', 'Inhumanity', 'Sins of the heart (covetousness & Idolatry, malignity, inhospitality & hypocrisy, and 'Fraud'. The word 'I' is very evident throughout as he justifies himself, and declares his integrity in regard to each, with all honesty, for He was righteous in his own eyes.

* His final words in chapter 42 are quite different,

'Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
.. I know that thou canst do every thing,
.... and that no thought can be withholden from Thee.
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge?
.. therefore have I uttered that I understood not;
.... things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
...... Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak:
........ I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear:
.. but now mine eye seeth Thee.
.... Wherefore I abhor myself,
...... and repent in dust and ashes.'
(Job 42:1-6)

* I cannot in all honesty justify myself before God as Job could: for I have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing. Looking back over my life before coming to God for salvation, and since, I have nothing to boast of, and would wish that it were otherwise, but, like Abraham, I have and do, by the grace of God, BELIEVE: believe in the all sufficiency of the work of Christ on my behalf, and look to Him for full salvation rich and free, and thereby am declared to be righteous, through the righteousness of Christ.

* You have drawn the plumb-line of God's word, and I do not measure up to it in the flesh: my mind and heart have become corrupted by sin and I have had to suffer it's consequences, though saved by God's grace. My children and grandchildren have not received the instruction that they should have had, because my carnal mind would not itself take instruction. At seventy-three I can see the old man with his deeds manifested in the long retrospective view that I have of the life I have lived, and the failures revealed there: and I am so grateful to the Lord that He has dealt mercifully with me, and endowed me with His grace in Christ Jesus my Lord, and delivered me from sin's ultimate consequence, by the gift of life in Christ Jesus.

* So, Yes! I can echo Job's final confession.:- '... but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes'.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

(Job 1:8-12)

Hello there, @Godbehonored,

Yes, God Himself did say that Job was 'a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil.' He would rise early to sacrifice before God for himself and his family (Job 1:5), knowing that without the shedding of blood there was no remission of sins.

I agree with the point of your thread, and ask that you forgive me if I have detracted from it.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Gregoryp]

God actually boasted of Job in front of Satan Himself, declaring him as a righteous man. But this thread is not about self debasement, it is about pointing out the lax attitude this generation has in terms of marriage and relationships. People are wilfully opening themselves up to the temptations of the devil by forming ungodly friendships with the opposite gender. Then they wonder down the road why they married abusive husbands and unfaithful wives.

Such was not the mindset of the ancient men of faith, Job is just one of them. They would not even look upon the opposite gender with lust, let alone form platonic friendships with them and have deep sensual relationships with women or men outside of marriage.

And just how many wives and concubines did King David have? And how about Solomon? And how about the prophet who was told to marry a prostitute, then she left him to go back to work, then he asked her to return to him? I think its more complicated than just adultery somehow.

 

[Godbehonored]

And just how many wives and concubines did King David have? And how about Solomon? And how about the prophet who was told to marry a prostitute, then she left him to go back to work, then he asked her to return to him? I think its more complicated than just adultery somehow.

King David did not actively engage in pre-marital sex or relationships with women outside of marriage. He definitely did not go around befriending women who were not married to him. The one time he did extra-marital sex with Bathsheba God sent the prophet to him and rebuked him for his sin. Besides King David was in the time when the Spirit was not given, and God overlooked many things that were counter to His will.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Timothy 3:2

God had always willed men to have one wife.

Also, I don’t suppose every single person today who is lax about relationships have been commanded by God to marry prostitutes. So what is the point of mentioning it?

 

[Godbehonored]

Many people will be offended by what is written here because they are so used to the damnable culture of platonic friendships between men and women.

But what did the Lord Jesus say?

That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

So enlighten me, you who feel offended: How do you as a man avoid looking on a woman with lust when you spend hours in her presence and form sensual friendships with her?? Or if you’re woman how do you prevent a man from lusting after you when you form a friendship with him and let him look at and talk with you constantly?? How is lust preventable when the temptation is right in front of you constantly???

So the ultimate question is: if you call yourself a Christian man or woman but you allow lust to run rampant in your lives, either by surrounding yourself with women who arouse your lust or causing men to lust after you (and therefore stumble into sin) with your sensuality, is Jesus really your Lord? Both genders have a role to play in this world warped by sexual immorality.

I’m amazed how patient and merciful God is towards us, even today. There is still time for us to amend our ways and stop this vicious cycle, before it’s too late to even repent. The fact that so many marriages are broken and so many of you are complaining about getting involved with ungodly spouses are evidences of the fruits of the corrupt culture we live in. Do you want to follow what culture dictates or what Jesus commands? Therein your loyalty is shown.

 

[Gregoryp]

Many people will be offended by what is written here because they are so used to the damnable culture of platonic friendships between men and women.

But what did the Lord Jesus say?

That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:28

So enlighten me, you who feel offended: How do you as a man avoid looking on a woman with lust when you spend hours in her presence and form sensual friendships with her?? Or if you’re woman how do you prevent a man from lusting after you when you form a friendship with him and let him look at and talk with you constantly?? How is lust preventable when the temptation is right in front of you constantly???

So the ultimate question is: if you call yourself a Christian man or woman but you allow lust to run rampant in your lives, either by surrounding yourself with women who arouse your lust or causing men to lust after you (and therefore stumble into sin) with your sensuality, is Jesus really your Lord? Both genders have a role to play in this world warped by sexual immorality.

I’m amazed how patient and merciful God is towards us, even today. There is still time for us to amend our ways and stop this vicious cycle, before it’s too late to even repent. The fact that so many marriages are broken and so many of you are complaining about getting involved with ungodly spouses are evidences of the fruits of the corrupt culture we live in. Do you want to follow what culture dictates or what Jesus commands? Therein your loyalty is shown.

All this does is show the weakness and evil of mankind. Since I was a child I had very few friends, and of those the majority were women. Not once did Iust after them or consider them sexual conquests. Its all in the heart and mind of the person to even think like that. Its not the friendship, its mankind and his sinful nature that is at fault here. Please control your minds and hearts and not appease your fleshly desires.

 

[Gregoryp]

Once upon a time, a man was on vacation. As he was walking around in the city centre, he noticed a casino. He decided to go into the casino, initially to have a meal and drink. Noticing the slot machines, he decided to put a few dollars in. He ended up sitting there for hours and spent almost all of his vacation money. He had to call his parents and ask for more money to get home. His statement to his father was " You know, if that casino wasnt there, this wouldnt have happened" His fathers reply " ahh, so the security guard at the casino crossed the street, put a gun to your head, and forced you to play the slot machines all day? You should have called the police and had the security guard arrested. " The point is, he chose to go in there and gamble out of his own free will. So stop with the lustful thoughts, breasts vaginas and bums are only body parts, please remember that. If I can do it, anyone can.

 

[Godbehonored]

All this does is show the weakness and evil of mankind. Since I was a child I had very few friends, and of those the majority were women. Not once did Iust after them or consider them sexual conquests. Its all in the heart and mind of the person to even think like that. Its not the friendship, its mankind and his sinful nature that is at fault here. Please control your minds and hearts and not appease your fleshly desires.

I’m amazed you are that confident about yourself, and I find your words worrying. David only had to look at Bathsheba taking a bath for him to commit adultery, there wasn’t even friendship between them and that’s a man of God who is after God’s own heart. If it is that easy for Satan to tempt a truly pious man, I doubt any of us are hard targets.

I know no man who isn’t at least at times tempted by lust around a woman, whatever their relationship may be outside of a marriage. To clarify, there is nothing wrong with friendship whatsoever, just like money in itself is not corrupt. It’s the love of money that corrupts. The principle here is to flee from temptations, because Jesus commanded it.

And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Matthew 18:9

If friendships with the opposite gender is causing a man to lust in his heart, he should be ending it according to the words of Jesus.

I have seen many cases whereby a man and a woman tried to form a “harmless” friendship that ended up in one or both committing adultery, even when they were already married. This didn’t happen overnight but Satan definitely had a LOT of opportunities to work adultery into their hearts given the level of involvement they had in their friendship. Neither of them heeded the words of Jesus and “plucked out” what was causing them to sin - their friendly relationship.