On Lust
The question has been raised,
"How do we deal with lust in a nude environment?" As is often the case,
we should first determine whether this is the right question to ask. And
so, let us first look at lust alone. Then we can consider the effects of
a nude environment.
One question we can ask about
lust is, "What is it, exactly?" Is lust the desire to possess or long to
partake in something? Or is lust for something determined by degree or
duration? Does lust long to fulfill a simple need or only a forbidden need?
Questions, questions, questions.
My Bible's dictionary defines
lust as an "inordinate desire or craving." Likewise, the word covet is
"to inordinately desire unjust gain or another's property."[1]
Webster defines lust: "1: sexual desire often to an intense or unrestrained
degree; 2: an intense longing."[2]
In my opinion, when searching Scripture on this topic, to lust and to covet
are generally synonymous. The first well-known reference to coveting is
found in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant,
his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20.17,
NIV unless otherwise noted). Clearly, coveting encompasses more than sexual
desire.
Scripture tells us we ought
to seek certain things and shun others. "But seek first his kingdom and
his righteousness" (Matthew 6.33). "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear
the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment
to your bones" (Proverbs 3.7-8). Scripture tells us that there are no limits
imposed on some things, but others must be pursued in moderation. "Jesus
replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind.'" (Matthew 22.37). "And be not drunk with
wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5.18,
KJV).
So, for the purpose of this
discussion we will consider lust to be synonymous with covetousness. Lust
must be inordinate or prolonged and will lead to a wrongful or sinful act.
I think it is also helpful
to spend a little time talking about the "S" word. Of course I am referring
to sin, not sex. As Christians, we recognize that sin is an inevitable
part of our existence. We have sinned; we do sin; we will sin. And Scripture
is clear that sin separates us from God. Scripture is also clear that Jesus
Christ dealt with the sin problem on our behalf. We are reconciled to God
through Jesus Christ.
When Jesus compared lusting
in one's heart to physical adultery in Matthew 5.28, He was emphasizing
the serious way God views the heart's attitude. And so, when we consider
lust as sin, we must treat lust in the same way we treat any sin we commit.
First, we recognize that as humans we will sin. Second, we confess our
sin to God and accept His forgiveness. Third, we accept the truth that
by God we "are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing
glory" (2 Corinthians 3.18) so that we may sin less by the power of the
Holy Spirit living through us.
Let's briefly consider each
of these three points with respect to lust. First, men are likely to lust.
In the context of this discussion, they will lust after women. Any man
can affirm that a woman's attire — or lack thereof — is secondary to the
power of his imagination. During the Victorian period (1800's in Europe),
where women were clothed from neck to ankle to protect men against sexual
desires, "there were more prostitutes per capita roaming the streets of
London...than in any other period of that city's history."[3]
Second, the example given
by "D." in his letter ("Nudism and understanding lust," Issue 53, p. 9)
is a powerful testimony about how to deal with lust. He recognized his
lust as sin and confessed it to God. "I have numerous times turned this
over to the Lord", he said.
Third, as humans we have
no inherent power to change our sin nature. We must rely upon God to live
His holy life through us. I believe "D." strongly implied this in his confession
and his subsequent description of two levels of temptation. Clearly Jesus
was tempted by Satan and did not sin. I personally agree with "D." in that
the consideration of the consequences of a temptation is not in itself
sin.
Finally, lets look at Jesus'
discussion on lust as recorded in Matthew 5.27-32. The discussion presented
here is based on the view of Kay Arthur in her book Lord, I'm Torn Between
Two Masters.[4] Jesus is explaining
that the intent of God's command, "You shall not commit adultery," is to
keep the heart sexually pure. Jesus says, "everyone who looks on a woman
to
lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart"
(NASB, emphasis mine).
It is important that "to
lust for her" modifies "looks on a woman." This implies that there are
other ways to "look on a woman." May I suggest that a man or woman can
"look on a woman" to appreciate her beauty, or to respect her as an individual,
or to praise God for a close friend, or to marvel at God's intricate creation.
Kay Arthur argues that "The
verb look is in the present tense in the Greek, implying a continuous
or habitual action. Jesus is saying if you
keep on looking at a
woman or a man, to lust after that woman or man, you have committed adultery
with that person in your heart." Kay Arthur is not (to the best of my knowledge)
a nudist. Nudity is not implied in this passage. We do not need nudity
to lust. Humans are quite capable of lusting after a fully clothed person.
Indeed, this is how many office affairs begin.
Naturists habitually point
out that clothing is irrelevant to how we relate socially. The experience
of lusting less in a nude society can often be read within the pages
of Fig Leaf Forum. Only the individual can determine if lusting
will be more prevalent in a clothed or nude society. But the important
point is that when we do lust after someone, we need to take radical action.
Taking great liberty in paraphrasing Matthew 5.29, "And if being in a nude
environment makes you stumble, leave and never come back; for it is better
to forgo the pleasures of naturism than for you to suffer the torments
of hell."
Do not misunderstand me.
I advocate naturism. But living a Godly life MUST take priority over the
pleasure and freedom of a nude lifestyle. Paraphrasing Matthew 5.29 for
the textile Christian, one could just as easily read, "And if singing in
the choir makes you stumble (because of that cute soprano in front of you),
quit and never sing again...."
Jesus is proposing radical
solutions to a major sin problem. God made us to be attracted to the opposite
sex. It happens whether clothed or not. Our responsibility, whether clothed
or not, is to respond to sin in a radical and immediate way. Treat sin
seriously! God did! Run to God at the first hint of sin. Confess it, accept
God's forgiveness, ask for His Spirit's power to overcome it, and flee
from it if necessary.
You are God's precious treasure,
purchased with the blood of Jesus. Whether clothed or not, we ought to
live as children of the holy King. Enjoy your freedom in Christ and be
a Godly testimony of that freedom.
_______________________
[1] Dictionary/Concordance,
Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, Tyndale House Publishers,
Inc., pp. 985, 969.
[2] The Merriam-Webster Dictionary,
Pocket Books, 1974, p. 417.
[3] Aileen Goodson, Ph.D., Therapy,
Nudity & Joy, Elysium Growth Press, 1991, p. 155.
[4] Kay Arthur,
Lord, I'm Torn
Between Two Masters, Multnomah Books, 1996, pp. 83-92.
Editor's Note: Though the issue of lust had previously been discussed
in Fig Leaf Forum, the need to revisit this important topic was heightened
as a result of the emphasis it was given by Mark Roberts in the debate
published on this Web site and in Issue 55/56 of the newsletter. This article
is from Issue 59 and was written by a Fig Leaf Forum subscriber.
This Web site is printer-friendly.
