SOTM 15—Lust

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, 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 (Matt 5:27-30).Introductory matters:Lust is not only sexual—though it is in this passage. (See, for example, 1 John 2:15-17.)Lust is the evil root from which the bitter fruit of adultery grows.There is an element of hyperbole (deliberate overstatement for effect) in parts of the Sermon on the Mount—yet still we are to take Jesus’ teaching seriously. As Athenagoras told the pagans, “We are so far from practicing promiscuous intercourse that it is unlawful among us even to indulge a lustful look.” A Plea for Christians 32. Such an attitude was as rare back then as it is today.The early church contended for the faith in a sexually saturated society – pornography, prostitution, theatre, art, the baths, orgies, dinner parties, sex with slaves, homosexuality, pederast, bestiality, mistresses, x-rated poetry…SolutionsDo not look at unclothed / immodestly dressed persons.Early Christian writings contain numerous warnings against going to the public baths when members of the opposite sex were present. “What of those virgins who patronize indecent baths? .... They who disgracefully look at naked men and are seen naked by men—do they not afford enticement to sin?” ANF 5.435Just like those of today, the theaters and spectacles of the ancient world were typically indecent. The Apostolic Constitutions instructs, “Avoid indecent shows, that is, the theaters and the ceremonies of the pagans.” ANF 7.424Tertullian writes, “Are we not commanded to put away from us all immodesty? On this ground, we are excluded from the theater, which is immodesty’s own peculiar home. ... Is it right to look on what it is disgraceful to do? How is it that the things that defile a man in going out of his mouth, are not regarded as doing so when they go in his eyes and ears?” ANF 3.86-87Novatian laments, “I am ashamed to talk about the things that are said on the stage. In fact, I am even ashamed to denounce the things that are done—the tricks of arguments, the cheating of adulterers, the immodesty of women, and the indecent jokes. ANF 5.577They even avoided gazing at the modestly clothed!Avoid obscene talk.Talking about the opposite sex in a sensual or obscene manner invariably leads to lust (Eph. 5:3-4).The Apostolic Constitutions teaches, “A Christian who is faithful should neither repeat a pagan hymn nor sing an obscene song.” ANF 7.442Dress and behave modestly. Clement writes, “On the one hand, we must keep from exhibiting and exposing parts of the body that we should not exhibit. And on the other hand, we must keep from looking at what is forbidden.” ANF 2.251.Modesty is more than merely refraining from exposing or exhibiting parts of the body (1 Tim 2:9). Moreover, true beauty is inward (1 Pet 3:3-4). Tertullian asks, “See how many women there are who earnestly desire to look pleasing even to strangers? On that very account she takes care to have herself painted out—yet, denying that she has ever been an object of carnal appetite?  …Why, therefore, excite toward yourself evil passion? Why invite the very thing to which you profess yourself a stranger? …Are we to paint ourselves out so that our neighbors may perish? What happened to the words, ‘You will love your neighbor as yourself’?” On the Apparel of Women 2.1-2A woman can also attract the attention of men by the way that she walks and conducts herself. Clement writes, “Some women practice the mincing motions of dancers and conduct themselves in society as if on a stage. That is, they go around with voluptuous movements, gliding steps, and pretentious voices. They cast languishing glances around.” ANF 2.287 (See also Isa 3:16.)Price tags may be “obscene” (offensive to decency); modesty is more than simply sexual chastity.In sum:Refuse to look at immodestly dressed persons. This has big implications for parties, fashion, television viewing, movies, going to the beach…Have nothing to with obscene talk. Let’s not kid ourselves: words do affect us.Live modestly: standard of living, behavior, dress…Let’s not be overconfident. Remember, lust undid the strongest man, the purest man, and the wisest man (Samson, David, Solomon).Consider the seriousness urged by Origen (3rd century AD): “When we hand over our body not to the Lord but to fornication, what do we hand over? We hand our whole body into Gehenna! Yet, when I say these things, they are held in contempt. Why? Because faith is lacking. However, what if today you were told that a worldly judge was going to burn you alive tomorrow? Suppose after hearing this that you had only one day of freedom. What would you do? …Would you not hand over all your money to those by whose intercession you might escape this punishment? Would you not give all that you had for the redemption of your life? What if someone were to try to delay or impede you? Would you not say, ‘Let all be lost for my deliverance. Do not let anything remain—if only I may live’?” Homilies on Leviticus 9.7.3.Next—and clearly related:  Divorce