Re: Feeding the Dog

Hi DW - I have also heard the 'two dogs' illustration in a sermon and it certainly did have an impact on the way that I thought. Recent study that I have done into my own life, particularly in the framework of addiction (not to boys...for boys are my orientation) but to fantasy and masterbation, I have come to agree with the two dogs principle. When Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:18, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." he used the word "Flee" because he knew our nature when it came to sexual temptation. Men who play with fire are going to get burned. I am not making a statement here about right and wrong, but I am making a statement about what actions are going to have an impact on your behavior. The bad news is that eliminating the temptations are not going to change you long term, because your attraction and your desires are routed in your orientation and in patterns of coping that you have established in your early life. It is no wonder in Col 2:23 that Paul reminded us: "Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." What is needed is an acceptance of who we are, but also a conviction that how we live our lives is a decision. We can change the way that we think and deal with our emotions about boys, and can live a life that is pleasing to God. I'll post more on the topic if you like. Your are not alone. Love, Ben