Is it a sin to have lust?
 

Is it a sin to have lust?

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

Define "lust".

I believe "lust" is essentially coveting what isn't yours for the taking.

Thus the notion of "adultery" being in the heart of a man who looks upon a woman with the desire to have her. The implication is that either he is married or she is married. The union would be unlawful and adulterous. Now... desiring one who is for the taking is a different story. Notice how the lovers in the Song of Solomon fantasized about each other prior to their wedding. In fact, the Shulamite gets so worked up, she breaks into an erotic dance before our countrymen. lol

Now, lust is typically addressed as a sexual matter. And it's the most commonly experienced perhaps. I think any normal person can say that they've experienced "lust". And many can testify that they've acted on it and it's fruits weren't always as sweet as they had imagined. But lust isn't always sexual. One can lust for money and power too. That's why I generally define it as an intense coveting of something that isn't one's to take.

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

I was thinking of the meaning as it is used in the Bible. (Which may be more than one, I suppose.) I was browsing the uses of the term at biblegateway.com, and most of the time, it's qualified. Lusts of the flesh, evil lusts, etc. But I think the most basic meaning is "desire", isn't it? In context, a forbidden or evil object of that desire is implied, as you said in your post.

But is the desire itself a sin? Is it a sin to want to sin?

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

And in terms of the basic definition, it's not a sin to have desire (lust) for non-sinful things, is it?

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

Lust is a common fallen human attribute, how we handle it may be a sin, sin is the harvest of lust. So, I believe lust embraced and harbored is sin.

I believe lust is a step beyond temptation. Lust is not profitable, no matter how appealing. Lust is akin to coveting.

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

To clarify a bit, what do you consider "nonsinful things"

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

Who, me?? Almost everything! :lol

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

I lust for my wife at times. Hopfully all husbands do.

I lust after a new Camaro. I won't fulfill it though because I have a family and a mortgage to pay right now. LOL.

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

See? Nonsinful things! (Right? :))

Re: Is it a sin to have lust?
 

Sometimes people who have all the necessities in life to sustain them are not content with what they have. Some people already have more than they need and want more. Lusting. It's more about the attitude of one's heart towards what God has given to you.

And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
(Numbers 11:4)

As God was bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt, the way of life was disrupted and the normal cycles of food production was temporarily disrupted likewise. God fed them with manna. It most likely contained every nutrient the body ever needs and had a fresh oil taste. Good grief! They had food that all they had to do was to go out in the morning, pick it up and eat it any way they wanted to fix it. The children of Israel knew that they were in transit to a land of "milk and honey", yet they complained about what they did not have. From what Moses said about them, I can gather he thought of them as like little whiney babies crying out a tantrum.

So if you believe God in His wisdom was giving you everything you need to sustain life and if you married the spouse you believe God gave to you and you started looking at another with lust in your heart after her/him, then yes you commit sin. If you are complaining about what God has given to you as a blessing, it stems from not giving God the thanks that He so rightly deserves.
Anytime God blesses a person and they complain about it, wanting more or something else, then that is lust.