Originally posted by debbiejo
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.Matthew 5:27&28Can also mean a man also....
This, imo, does lead to the level of intent/desire present. If one wishes to marry a woman, is he guilty? I would say not unless he is married. Is it a sin to appreciate beauty? I would say not unless it leads to a desire to possess the object of beauty. Lust is a rather broad term that could have varied or limited implications.
Originally posted by debbiejo
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:21&22
Thinking angry thoughts.
While this does condemn thoughts, it is condemning a particular type of thought. Anger is defined as a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. Given the prior reference to lust, I would assume it is referring to hostility, which would be desire to harm another in some manner. One should not have a desire to harm another.
Also, this reference does not state that the thought is the same as murder, as the reference to lust does equate lust with adultery. What the judgement is is not referenced directly. I would assume that, given the two references, you are in danger of being judged for either the act or the similar thoughts, although they are not necessarily judged as being of the same degree.
Originally posted by debbiejo
He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:7-11, NIV)Rapture lust??.......
I do believe that such is an error on the part of the man lusting over the rapture. John the Beloved was titled such because he desired to tarry with men and had their welfare above his desire for his personal paradise. Given this, is it better to not lust after Heaven? I would state that love of your fellow man should be above any desire to get to Heaven.