Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one's resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. |
Bible Question:
First of all, I very much appreciate the 'straightforwardness' of your post. I myselfe do not wish to walk in deciet, and so I don't wish to have answers that are just meant to make me feel better but do not help. Allow me to further my question. Concerning the 'wandering of the eyes', I have long felt that its a difficult situation: On the one hand, when I put to death the urges of the flesh, then I find no familiarity with the passion that was talked about in Song of Soloman (and therefore find no urge to dote on my wife that way that she likes to be doted on). In my heart, I wind up resisting the tendency to enjoy sex and sexuality the way that I feel God intended. This same 'sexual drive' that allows me to look longfully on my wife is the same element that is restrained, and although I find my struggle with 'wandering eyes' becomes easier to bear, yet my husbandly passion wanes. Then, on the other side, when I indulge in my husbandly pursuit, and revel in the graces that God gave me as a man, I find that my sensual senses are heightened, and my 'eyes' want to pick up on everything feminine. My wife loves the way I enjoy every aspect of her womanhood, yet I suffer in that I find it difficult to control it just towards her, since her body is not as in shape as I would like it to be. As you can see, I feel somewhat trapped between the two. This hasn't yet affected my loyalty towards her in the sense that I am not condoning seperation based on physical appearance. I can slowly see myself pushing her to gain control of her weight, in the hopes that my 'sexual eye' can be focused on her instead. Do you think that this is an unrealistic hope? Advice please. |
Bible Answer: Orange - SBF is not designed to be in the marriage counselling business, and I fear a continuation of this discussion is taking us along that route. Still and all, I think no reader of this thread is left without some sense of the frustration you describe and they, like I, would love to be able to help in some way. I shy away from giving specific advice on this Forum in matters such as marital problems, because (1) it is not the purpose of SBF, as I've mentioned, and (2), I'm not qualified. ..... But let me tell you something I've learned about my own marriage -- now, on that I am qualified to speak, because this year my wife and I plan to celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary. Since the beginning of our marriage, we have made it a policy to talk to each other. That may sound a bid odd at first, but think about it. How many couples don't communicate very well, if at all? I know many who don't. My wife and I try to be as open with one another as we possibly can. It is when anger, disappointment, and frustration are bottled up that they begin to grow and fester and eventually inflict their venom in the marriage relationship. ..... So, we have a happy marriage and I attribute it mainly to two things. First, it is a Christ-centered relationship, and we pray together every day. It's the best glue there is to keep a marriage from falling apart. .... Second, we communicate freely with one another. We put our problems on the table and talk them out. But I can tell you this. I wouldn't get to first base if I told my wife all my problems without being willing to listen to hers. .... Actually, a lot of our problems seem to melt away simply because we are willing to share them with one another and with God through prayer. ..... Some of the things jonp told you may sound tough, and believe me they are! But he's right. Marriage is sacred; ordained by God Himself; for the long haul; a lifetime proposition, not something to be terminated as soon as the flower of youth begins to fade a little. ..... Put Christ first in your life and in your marriage. Pray together. Talk things out and listen to one another! And may God richly bless you, your wife, and your marriage, my friend. --Hank |