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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:
Thanks Tim. Please allow me to go deeper on this thought. A source of tension in my marriage is around the physical fitness of my spouse. I'm attracted to women who are fit, and when my wife doesn't take the time to keep her shape, then my eyes start to wander. This got me started on thinking about the spiritual foundation for beauty. Is it right to be 'attracted' to my wife because of her looks? (PLease note that this is not the only thing that I'm attracted to in her, but for this subject, lets focus on that). If I'm to be 'enthralled' with her at all times, and if my physical desire for her is a godly (meaning that God made it), then when she falls out of shape and my physical desire for her wanes, how do I reconcile that? Should I put to death my physical desires and be content with what I have, even though my eyes are more prone to wandering? I'd like to keep my eyes on her instead, but this is sometimes difficult. |
Bible Answer: Hi, I am going to speak very plainly for I can see that you are eyeing up the tree of knowing good and evil and I am a little concerned for you. The first thing that we have to recognise is that Jesus clearly taught that when a man and woman marry they are one for life unless there is adultery, and that regardless of their sexual attraction for each other. Of course in Jesus' day men and women were often not able to choose their partners. They had to put up with what they got. But this made no difference to God's requirement. While I consider that your wife should be in Christian submission and should thus seek to do what pleases you, just as you should be seeking to do what pleases her, nevertheless we cannot allow, a failure to do this to cancel out the greater commandment. To let your eyes wander will be to make you a spiritual adulterer. That is unquestionable. Modern man lays too much emphasis on his rights to this and that. But as Christians we have no rights. We have handed them over to Jesus Christ. What about Jesus' rights? Being attracted to each other in marriage is a bonus. But not being so does not affect the underlying priciple that two have been made one in God's eyes for life. Building up theories which Scripture knows nothing about will not countermand that, and however soothing they may sound they are clearly wrong if they go against God's clear commandment. As the text which you began with points out what you are talking about is not of the Father but is of the world. You talk as though being attracted to women who are fit is OK. But it is not of the Father, but is of the world. What is of the Father is that you should be wholly given over to serving Him and that includes ensuring that you maintain your Christian love for the woman you have married, even if the 'attraction' fails. If she sadly lets herself go, and you have my full sympayhies, that does not affect God's spiritual requirement for you which is paramount. So no excuse or web of clever thinking can release you from your basic obligation in God's eyes. That way leads to shipwreck. Best wishes Jonp |