Hi newgeorge,

My own feeling is that, in threads like this, we are in constant danger of falling into the spiritual trap of legalism.

It's interesting you should say this, because I HATE LEGALISM! [I used to be very legalistic.] That is exactly why I am trying to understand this word ... and know what it REALLY MEANS (not just what people superficially assume it to mean). I'm not trying to justify myself or try and find some sort of loop hole.

I think we, as Christians, tend all-to-often to fall into a trap of going BEYOND what God expects of us, and creating a set of man-made rules that are all-encompassing enough to eliminate any need to "walk in the spirit". And I think, particularly when it comes to sexuality, this is the case.

Take masturbation for example. Christian youth leaders are more often than not telling youth that masturbation is wrong because it can lead to the dreaded "lust", even though the Bible really doesn't have anything to say on the subject (of masturbation itself). And so, an unnecessary burden is placed on well-meaning Christian young people that, in my view, goes beyond what God requires of them.

And I think that with lust we tend towards the same extreme. Anything and everything that has any hint of the sexual is automatically branded as "lust" (that is, assuming you're unmarried). But I don't think that's what God intended. I just want to get a better understanding of His "heart" on the matter, so I can happily and confidently follow His leading. That's not unreasonable, right?

Make sense?

Blessings,
Rainboy