Looking at the opposite sex

[Big Steve]

Ok, the Desparate Housewives thread, and some others about TV watching and such, got me thinking about this.

What exactly is wrong with looking at the opposite sex and appreciating someone who is attractive, pretty, etc. ?

For example, I am into the bodybuilding/fitness scene. I subscribe to magazines such as Flex and Muscular Development. They obviously show women, and men for that matter, wearing bikini type swimsuits, because these athletes are trying to show the fruits of all their hard work. The contests are judged with them wearing the same clothing.

Now I enjoy reading these magazines, and looking at the pictures to see the development these people have attained. And I won't beat around the bush, the women are very attractive. Once again, so are the men for that matter.

But just because I look at a picture of a pretty woman, and think to myself that she is attractive and has a nicly built body, I don't think there is anything wrong with that. It is a natural human instinct to notice attractive people of the opposite sex, and there isn't any harm that I can see in it.

Looking for other's thoughts on it. (I think I want them anyway!)

[Constant]

That's funny. It's not bad to look at the opposite sex and find them good looking. Just don't drool over them or fantasize about them if you are married or in a relationship. That would be bad! I still get a little jealous from time to time when Ryan looks at another woman. But, that 's life. I don't expect him to walk arounf with a blind fold! Good post.

Al

[Guest Christian Counselor]

There are a couple biblical verses that apply to this situation.One is Jesus' teaching that looking at another person lustfully is visual adultery which He stated was a sin just as physical adultery is.Fortunately because He used the word "adultery" the teaching does not apply to unmarried persons.Fornication is the word that applies to illicit sexual activities of the unmarried.However His teaching of course does apply to the divorced, a very popular marital state in this country.

Much of what we see in the media today is "soft porn" because it sells so well.The problem is that porn is very addicting and just like any illegal drug,it creates a craving for more and more,eventually making it extremely hard to break away from,even after it becomes life controlling.

The fact that you find photos of almost naked men appealing should be a real danger signal to you,causing you to give up your magazine.Homosexual desires are easily picked up.The fact that almost naked women appear in magazines is a moral problem for them because the Bible does state that women should dress modestly.The fact that the women in your magazine dress almost identically to the men is still another problem .Just a few days,the Holy Spirit told me that women who dress like men are engaging in sin.The more you think about it,the more difficult a problem this becomes.Just one more major problem God has with our society!

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Big Steve,

If there is doubt, cut it out. That which is not of faith is sin. It is not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out, whether in word or deed OR thought.

Since you are into body building, you are around semi-nude people all the time. A swimmer is also around others in skimpy outfits. Dancing, ice skating and I'm sure other activities might influence -some- people to think untoward thoughts. The problem is dwelling on them and letting your imagination run wild. These things will then lead to some action which would be sin.

So for those whose "threshhold" is low and might be "tempted" to think impure thoughts, then they should stay away from such activities. I didn't get the impression from your post that that might include you, but only you know that for sure.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Ovedya]

God made some people attractive. That's just a simple and obvious fact. There is nothing wrong with appreciating someone's natural beauty, and doing so does not constitute lust. Lust is just the flesh rising up within us when we take that appreciation to an unnatural level.

The tendency in the world is to pervert the natural beauty that God has blessed us with and use it to conjure up lustful thoughts in us. Therefore we have these magazines and television programs, etc. that attract the eye to certain parts of the human body, with the intention of causing us to have lustful thoughts.

I personally can see how you, as a bodybuilder, would be able to view these magazines in a different context than your average male. But I would be willing to bet that it is still hard for you. I mean, after all, those women are wearing next to practically nothing. There are certain things that I intentionally avoid in order to keep from stumbling. I think that this is a battle for most men, because we are naturally visual in our sexuality.

[Ovedya]

The fact that you find photos of almost naked men appealing should be a real danger signal to you,causing you to give up your magazine.Homosexual desires are easily picked up.

CC,

Big Steve did not write that he finds photos of almost naked men appealing. Go back and read again. Then you may wish to apologize for jumping to such a conclusion.

[Guest Thomas I believe]

The fact that you find photos of almost naked men appealing should be a real danger signal to you,causing you to give up your magazine.Homosexual desires are easily picked up.

CC,

Big Steve did not write that he finds photos of almost naked men appealing. Go back and read again. Then you may wish to apologize for jumping to such a conclusion.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

CC, I agree with Ovedya, go back and read the thread. Big Steve was just making a point about body builders in general. Your quick assumption is incorrect...

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Yes in case you haven't seen the pictures of him? I'd apologize real quick.

Steve much Love bro. I understand what you are saying about the pictures. I too used to read those magazines. I appreciated the from and the definition those men had reached. I switched to all Natural magazines later. When I realized I would never attain that form or definition. The men in those magazines were loaded with steroids. The women too. Of course nowadays the womens Bodybuilding has taken more of a turn towards the Fitness and overall Model look and appeal. Rather than the Muscle. More feminine. It is a much better turn.

I wanted to add that as Christians we appreciate the fact that we have died to the flesh and have attained Blessed Hope thru the Ressurection and promise of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. It was Paul who said,"I treat my flesh brutally, beating it back." For he was in a race to reach the Crown promised.

1Co

[Big Steve]

The fact that you find photos of almost naked men appealing should be

Edited February 9, 2005 by Big Steve

[Deez131]

Christian Counselor,Feb 8 2005, 04:35 PM]

The fact that you find photos of almost naked men appealing should be  a real danger signal to you,causing you to give up your magazine.Homosexual desires are easily picked up.

I'm quite sure Big Steve wasn't saying he found the men attractive in that way. At least that's not the way I took what he was saying - at all.

The fact that the women in your magazine dress almost identically to the men is still another problem .  Just a few days,the Holy Spirit told me that women who dress like men are engaging in sin.

What exactly are you saying here? The women in Muscle Fitness and the rest of the magazines are in women's bathing suits - skimpy though they may be - they are womens. Are you trying to say that women shouldn't wear jeans or anything else a man would wear? Just trying to clarify.

Denise