(03/07/2017) Thoughts on Sexual Relationships

 

Today, thoughts are shared on Christian belief, sacred practice, and human sexuality.  Popular culture now seeks to legitimate and normalize as civil rights many behaviors and patterns of association long thought to be destructive of family and the home as life-giving institutions.  It remains, fruitful and productive relationships that can produce a holy seed acceptable to GOD are characterized by accountability, commitment, fidelity, mutuality, restraint, stability, and trust.  The “holiness” that may describe a marriage union appears only through the presence and working of the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD through Jesus Christ.  For those who come into the world as infants who have no standing as “offspring of GOD,” to become sons and daughters of the Most High and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, they must become born again and receive adoption through the Holy Spirit.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (Malaysia)” using the ID “?” (Level 1 with 177 points, a member since May 06, 2014) posted the following:

 

Your thoughts on people who call themselves Christian yet still cohabitate with a lover?

Update: Shouldn't someone who says they believe in God try to follow what the Bible says instead of purposefully sinning?

 

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.  But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh:  but I spare you.  But this I say, brethren, the time is short:  it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;  And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;  And they that use this world, as not abusing it:  for the fashion of this world passeth away.  But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:  But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.  There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:  but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.  (1st Corinthians 7:  27-35, King James Version, KJV)

 

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  In Her father’s House? (02/08/2017); Why Is Lust Condemned? (07/20/2016); Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016); Gender, Sex and Christian Beliefs? (05/18/2016); The Wife of Your Youth? (12/22/2015); Strong Families? (11/10/2015); Scandal and Sin Among Believers? (06/05/2015) 

 

“?”, we have to be careful attempting to judge others.  Becoming spiritually mature as one “born again” through Jesus Christ may take many years, and requires “growing up again” by acquiring sacred knowledge, continuing sacred practices (we say, sacraments), participating in fellowship with mature believers as well as performing unselfish service to GOD.  Similarly, humans on the earth must become sexually mature, however, more than age and physical development are involved.  All who are born as the offspring of Adam inherit a longing for meaningful companionship and sexual appetite that, like hunger or thirst, operates in terms of carnal reason, sensation (e.g., hearing, feeling hot and cold, seeing, touching), and laws that may regulate only an animal nature or mechanical processes.  Just as one should not drink or eat anything and everything they may see, sexual expression should not be with anybody and everybody, doing anything and everything.  Balance, discernment, discipline, good judgment, and restraint must be acquired to safely engage in healthy sexual activity.  Sexual joining occurs on multiple levels and is—all at the same time—emotional, mental, physical, psychological, and spiritual.  Intimate relationships intended to provide sexual satisfaction always are complex, and must include continuous communication, exchange, and interaction that present subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning and value).  Genuine mutual trust must be in place instead of betrayal, deceit, and lies that characterize immaturity, infatuation, and “puppy love.”  Fornication is the defilement of ones inborn spirit content from parents, and the spiritual confusion that results by joining oneself to a person physically present and their previous sexual partners who are not physically present.  The primary relationship provided by divinity for freely expressing ones body, mind, and Spirit demonstrates exclusive devotion and fidelity toward GOD—holy matrimony.  Pre-, extra- and multiple-marital relationships (e.g., polyandry and polygamy) do not allow the most godly and lasting expressions of love.  Thus, the counsel from GOD to sinners who choose to follow Jesus Christ include the following:

(1.)  Galatians 5:  16-17, King James Version (KJV):  16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh:  and these are contrary the one to the other:  so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

(2.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

(3.)  Malachi 2:  13-16, KJV:  13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.  14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously:  yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.  16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away:  for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts:  therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, (4.)  1st Timothy 4:  1-3, KJV:  1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;  3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(06/27/2016) The Comfort from GOD?

Today, focus is upon a believer’s recovery from harsh parenting they endured during childhood.  It is correct to teach small children that their disobedience, disrespect, and rejection of parental authority imposes hardship and shame upon their own caretakers and protectors.  Even so, parents may not rely only upon violence in the home to establish honor, order, and respect within their little ones.  Parenting techniques of denying privileges and those using physical punishment both should be avoided when not properly balanced with demonstrations of acceptable responses, explanations, guidance, and step-by-step instruction.  Thus, rightly understood, judgment of ones parents is safely done only as a prerogative of GOD:  A child may not judge their parent as worthy of heaven or not either on the basis of bad treatment (spanking), or good treatment (that may in fact be no more to the child than bribes, influence, license, or inordinate affection).  Where children maliciously accuse and condemn their own parents, their sin actually is against GOD, and not against their caretakers.  When looking back, many are confused and disappointed because their prayers—that the character and nature of their parents or others be changed, or that they be rescued and saved from difficult situations—did not seem to be heard and answered.  Such may fail to discern and recognize that the response of GOD, instead, was to lend them greater determination, patience, resilience, and strength to endure.  In the plan of GOD, babies and minor children are to develop within a fixed and stable family structure that has some flexibility, yet, perseveres in maintaining specific meanings, order and values for various attitudes, behaviors, and conduct.  Before small children master using adult logic and rational thinking, physical punishment to admonish and warn them may be needed for their nourishment and protection, and are not the same as beating and striking them that merely display anger, displeasure, frustration, and hatred.  More than this, cursing, threats and verbal abuse in no way express the care and concern of GOD as revealed by Jesus suffering and dying upon the cross.  A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Cassandra Mills” (Level 2 with 462 points, a member since March 28, 2012) posted the following:

Fundamentalist Christian book that teaches to "beat the bitter root out of your child"?

Ok so here's the deal. I had a pretty bizarre childhood, my parents were super, super strict fundamentalist Christians (I have nothing at all against Christianity btw--just the craziness involved in fundamentalism) and abusive to an extent. I'd rather post this somewhere else besides yahoo, but I'm hoping a non crazy person will read this and be able to help me :-) Basically I'm just trying to piece some parts of my childhood together and see what exactly my parents were believing and what books they were reading (they deny stuff like this so I can't ask them)

Anyway, this didn't happen to me, but to my sister. She said that at some point (she was probably around 9-10) she was sort of rebellious (probably just spirited like any kid) and my mom just spanked her for a long time insisting on getting "the bitter root out of her", which she (my mom) thought was the root cause of my sister's "rebellion". I'm pretty sure she didn't come up with that phrase/idea on her own and I'm almost sure I read an article about some Christian parenting book that taught this??? So if you know please let me know!

Another phrase I remember from one of her books was "you're not disciplining your child, you're discipling your child" So if you know what book that's from please let me know too. Again, I just really want to know what crazy things they were filling their heads with; maybe it will help me understand why they acted like they did.

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence:  shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?  For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:  nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (Hebrews 12:  1-11, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Discipline and The Cross?
(06/16/2016); GOD’s Answer to Injustice? (04/28/2016); The Forms of Prophecy? (04/26/2016); Divine Love Seen As Hate? (01/29/2015); Comfort? (09/06/2014); We Become Comforters? (07/19/2014); Inseparables? (07/15/2014); On Christians Being Inclusive? (07/16/2014)

“Cassandra”, for Christian believers, comfort is an aspect of prophecy, and is received through operations of the Holy Spirit.  Thus, the comfort provided by GOD to those who have endured abuse and neglect in their childhood has been experienced by many mature Christian believers as (1) our dying in Christ upon the cross, (2) arriving at ones own adult perspective, (3) ability to correctly discern and recognize spiritual errors in the actions and beliefs demonstrated by others, (4) realization of the multiple instances where the active presence of GOD has been part of their own experience, and (5) the shift from self-centered expressions of anger, bitterness, or regret to displaying balance, insight, maturity, and soundness of spirit.  

The goal of the Christian believer is not to forget or ignore affliction and hardships they may have suffered.  More than they desire “get back,” “pay back” and revenge, believers should want to be free of anger, fear, grudges, and hate; and this is accomplished by responding to forgiveness and love as spirit aspects of divine person.  Christian believers become “born again” through water baptism (death and burial of ones inborn spirit, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak); and receive deposits of spirit substance from the makeup of divinity such as faith, holiness, joy, longsuffering, meekness, wisdom and wrath against sin.  Even so, all believers also must “grow up again” meeting the same life challenges as others living upon the earth.  Being a “new creation” from Christ, the disciples and followers of Jesus must acquire sacred knowledge and continue in fellowship with other believers to establish godly living routines that maintain sacred practices (we say, sacraments).

There is far more that should be carefully said, thoughtfully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, it is written:  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:  for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Matthew 9: 13, King James Version (KJV) ).  At first, minor children are established in covenant with exalted divinity through their obedience, respect, and reverence of their caretakers and parents (not their own affection and fondness).  Thus, circumcision and divine covenant are to be understood as a “life condition” that a child may be born into like poverty, royalty, or wealth.  Where parents use spanking and punishment to train their children they must do so understanding that there must be balance and restraint.  In the same way an edible cake can not be made using only the bitter ingredient of flour, the single ingredient of butter, or only the overwhelming sweetness of sugar, in training a child, correction is more important than punishment; and after a certain point in the child’s growth punishment is not to be used at all.)  Even so, I am sure this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(06/16/2016) Discipline and The Cross

Discipline, duty, spirit growth, and parenting are topics, today.  Christian parents are wise to correctly teach their children the meaning of accountability, accepting discipline, interdependence, and mutual obligation.  Often, the living must rely upon discipline and “staying the course” for survival during crises, emergencies, and extreme conditions, rather than upon courage, emotion, opinions, and sentiment.  It is discipline that allows us to embrace new experiences, and to face the future as if we have no fear or uncertainty.  Only by discipline do we continue to function effectively in spite of disappointments, errors, personal losses, the unexpected, and tragedies.  One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:


My parents grounded me for refusing to read scriptures with them and say a prayer with them at bedtime. Isn't that ridiculous?
My parents said that I'm being rebellious and letting Satan into my life. That's not it...I just wasn't in the mood to read and pray. I had a bad day and wanted to go to sleep. After my parents told me that I was going to be grounded for refusing I told them that I would do what they wanted, but it was already too late. I read scriptures and prayed with them, but I still got grounded. I don't think it's fair for me to be in trouble over something like this.

Update: I'm 13 and its summer break. I don't want to be grounded. I'm going to try to do what my parents want so that they will end it.

Update 2: Oleg: I don't care if you believe me or not.

Update 3: Thanks for the answers everyone. I need to get off the computer now. My parents will be mad if they see that I'm on the computer and not in bed. I'm not supposed to be on the computer right now. :(

Update 4: A few of these answers are a little ridiculous...


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:  which is the second death.  (Revelation 21:  7-8, KJV) 


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Why Pray For Victims? (06/14/2016); Called Slaves by GOD? (02/10/2016); Divine Discipline? (12/24/2015); Growing Up Again? (12/09/2015); Punishment To Show Love? (11/29/2015); Called To Be Servants? (11/25/2015); Understanding Spiritual Growth? (03/13/2015); The Benefit of Law? (11/15/2013); Are Holidays Bad? (11/16/2013)


“Anonymous”, mature Christian believers understand that the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross has also been a divine demonstration of the discipline mankind must achieve to fulfill the possibilities of eternal life.  Most minor children and many parents do not properly understand that “discipline” means practice, preparation, self-control, and training—rather than “punishment”, “reprimand” or “scolding”.  Obedience is demonstrated through discipline; and is one of the highest expressions of love seen in the wedding vows because, “to obey” is to put asides ones own desires and to perform the will of another.  More than by commitment, or on the basis of what one likes and prefers, success in carrying out adult responsibilities that include sexual purity and restraint, marriage, family life, military service, and various vocations results from having discipline, endurance, and the will to persevere.  It is not unreasonable that parents expect their children to be capable of demanding from themselves efforts and responses that contribute to the well-being of their shared home, its honor, quality, and value.  However, parents often do so expressing their own feelings, rather than correctly acknowledging the faithfulness and maturity and of their child.  Consider again how some of this is stated in language from the Scriptures:

(1.)   Proverbs 22:  4-6, King James Version (KJV):  4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.  5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward:  he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.  6 Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

(2.)  Proverbs 9:  6-10, KJV:  6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.  7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame:  and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.  8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:  rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.  9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:  teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.  10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:  and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

(3.)  Hebrews 5:  5-10, KJV:  5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.  6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;  8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

There is far more that should be carefully said, thoughtfully examined, and spiritually understood.  (For example, (4.)  Hebrews 12:  3-8, KJV:  3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.)  Even so, I am sure this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(05/16/2016) Sacred Knowledge and Christ

Today, focus is on sacred knowledge made available to the living through the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross.  Blood is a material form that may carry and convey spirit content.  Included are existence, life, meekness, person, presence, and virtue.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” who uses the ID “SUPERSTAR” (Level 6 with 12,787 points, a member since November 28, 2009) posted the following:

Why did jesus die on a cross?

according to the gospel, Jesus didn't want to die but He accepts that how is that? how can it be a good idea to see a human being dying for your sins? just because Jesus was a divine being and he could come back to the life, but nobody of us couldn't back to the life again, so why did jesus choose to die? why did God need Jesus' Blood in order to love us?

THE GOLDEN ARROW:  There is none holy as the LORD:  for there is none beside thee:  neither is there any rock like our God.  Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth:  for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.  The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.  (1st Samuel 2:  2-4, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  On Transmitting Sacred Truth (05/06/2016); Products of The Cross? (04/27/2016); Sin Also Made Incarnate? (04/25/2016); More Than Food and Drink? (04/12/2016); To Foster Godly Sorrow (03/11/2016); Life Is In Blood (12/08/2015); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015)

“SUPERSTAR”, the knowledge needed to be in a continuous relationship with GOD the Father can only be provided through operations of the same Spirit that performed in the creation of heaven and earth.  However, “spirit” (we also say, breath, life essence, word) must be given carnal, material and social form to become knowable and known (we say, revealed) to created beings and living creatures upon the earth.  The living acquire knowledge through such means as imitation, instruction, intuition, and practice.  Thus, sacred knowledge must come through change, and “new life” (i.e., you must be born again, and mature again (grow up) meeting challenges that appear by growth, learning, and daily routines).  What the living will internalize and retain must be enduring, graphic, organic, and sanctified (set apart for divine use).  The operations of sin appear as awareness and self-will in the living are dominated, and influenced.  Mature Christian believers agree that GOD the Father has appeared using flesh (we say, Incarnation) to embody and destroy sin upon the cross as well as to demonstrate the voluntary expression of commitment, freedom, humility, love, obedience, acknowledgement of eternal purpose, the righteousness of GOD in judgment, triumph over death, and victory over sin.  Through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now; therefore, consider again how these ideas are shared using language from the Bible:

(1.)  Romans 8:  13-17, King James Version (KJV):  13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:  but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.  14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

(2.)  1st John 2:  27, KJV:  27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:  but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

(3.)  John 3:  31-34, KJV:  31 He that cometh from above is above all:  he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.  32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.  33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.  34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God:  for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually taken in.  (For example, (4.)  Romans 8:  5-9, KJV:  5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:  for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.  9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(01/05/2016) On Controlling Lust

A response to a teenager’s question on human sexuality is featured, today.  While the council shared is from a Christian to an Islamic believer, the substance provided pertains to life for all.  More often than not, the confusion in our lives is not coming from our Creator; yet, there is no “easy way out.”  Given their duty as life companions entrusted with each other’s secrets, parents ought not expose one another to the censure of their children; and so they may not always speak freely to their own children regarding the common challenges, errors, and shortcomings from their younger days.  Just as we are careful to select food and drink to nourish our bodies, we must be careful selecting ideas and relationships to nourish our feelings and thoughts.  Many Christian believers have paid dearly for life lessons, and to arrive at the same points of truth shared among Muslims by first attending “the school of hard knocks.”  Because they continued to be immature, were stubborn, and lacked correct knowledge, they repeated basic mistakes in their attitudes and their sexual behavior for many years before being recovered from error through the operations of GOD.  Where a mother uses drugs during pregnancy, her child may be born addicted.  Similarly, where either of the parents practice fornication, their child may be born spiritually defiled and unclean.  While we are young we must be encouraged to understand that—just as ability to recite passages from the holy writings come only through practice that may seem dull, monotonous, and tedious—self-discipline, self-mastery, and self-control also come only through deliberate and painstaking practice.  Consider the following Bible verses, and the discussion below: 

Proverbs 16:  32, King James Version (KJV):  32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 

Proverbs 25:  28, KJV:  28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. 

Mark 10:  6-8, KJV:  6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;  8 And they twain shall be one flesh:  so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

Micah 6:  8, KJV:  8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

The young writer at “Yahoo! Answers” posted the following:


Ramadan: How do I control my lust?

salam, I am a 16 year old brother…I find myself unable to lower my gaze….I stare at women, girls, and even boys in public with lust, masturbate all the time, even fantasizing about boys, and rape….I sometimes watch porn, and I just want to know, how do I control my lust? salam, Mustafa


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.  Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously:  yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.  (Malachi 2:  13-15, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Wife of Your Youth? (12/22/2015); All Sin Is Willful? (10/20/2015); The Mistakes In Youth? (08/24/2015); Sermons About Good Sex? (08/25/2014); About Good Sermons? (08/26/2014); Pornography from the Bible (11/26/2012); More Than Salvation (11/27/2012)


“Mustafa”, as salam alekum.  When it comes to sex, no one has all the final answers; and we all must depend on some specific guiding principles.  The council a Christian father must give his son regarding a boy developing into manhood includes a number of serious warnings that help to bring balance into his thinking on, and acting out sexual desires.  As carnal beings (we say, flesh and blood), young people increasingly experience sexual arousal as they are growing up.  This is partly because of mechanical operations of their body (e.g., activity by glands; muscular growth; changes in height and weight).  As we learn and grow, we all experience sexual appetite the same way we repeatedly have hunger and thirst.  Using logic, reason, and thought, does not make hunger and thirst go away.  Humans must discipline both their body and mind to respond to appetite in ways that are healthy.  We avoid eating, or drinking any and every thing around us, because they may be poisonous or things to bring about sickness and death.  Similarly, we must limit ourselves regarding sex, and because we will be held accountable for our communication, exchanges and interactions within intimate relationships.

Sexual contact occurs on multiple levels:  the physical the  emotional, the psychological, as well as the spiritual.  Thus, sex is held to be dangerous for those who are young and unprepared.  There are always unexpected outcomes of a sex act.  This makes it that sex should be understood as unpredictable and unreliable.  Even adults who maintain the same pattern of attitudes and behavior for many years can become confused and damaged through adultery, casual sex, and extra-marital sexual relations.  Sexual intercourse may be unexplainably painful; there may be disease; there may be unwanted pregnancies; and there may be dissatisfaction with oneself and ones partner.

For those seeking to become spiritually adult, and present themselves to GOD in purity, warnings must be shared against fornication.  Just as girls and guys who think that oral sex will not do as much harm as full intercourse are mistaken, young people are mistaken who think fornication means sex before marriage, or too much sex, with too many partners (promiscuity).  With every sexual contact (be it as simple as holding hands or a kiss on the cheek—oral sex) there is a joining of spirit content for the two sexual partners.  In marriage, the two “become one flesh,” and GOD is the other.  Even so, because her spirit now is within him, and his within her, they must respond to a second spirit inside themselves, and make multiple adjustments to have contentment and inner peace.  Where the male has had sex with 10 girlfriends before marriage, his wife will be joined to at least 11 spirits.  Where his wife had relations with 8 guys, she brings 9 spirits to the marriage.  Do the math:  where the 10 girlfriends knew 8 guys each (80), and the 8 boyfriends 11 girls each (88), the total of spirits begins to number over 200 because of additional contacts among the 8 and the 11.  In some ways, both partners may be strengthened, and made to feel more capable as adults.  However, the battle is for the mind.  Conflict among the spirits of unseen partners can result in the married couple experiencing fear, despair, depression, divorce, and uncertainty that suddenly seems to come from out of nowhere.  The inborn spirit may be weakened by the unseen influences and unclean spirits.  The opposition it must face for control over combinations of spirits (say 50 to 1 or 75 to 1) could become overwhelming.

The serious bonds, connections, and habits established through our animal nature and sexuality can not be immediately broken or removed using our finite human tools  (e.g., isolating ourselves; moping; weeping; moving to a new city; trying to make new friends; exercising self-will).  Christian believers turn to GOD for rebirth and new life that is possible through Jesus Christ.  Once born again, believers must “grow up again” to become disciplined and mature as spiritual persons joined to divinity.

Mustafa, there is far more to be learned, properly understood, and correctly put into action.  Make every positive effort you can.  Through our submission to GOD, men and women should expect to acquire sacred knowledge, and undergo continued change and growth.  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the power in your spirit that connects you to GOD, your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC