Was Jesus ever Sexually Aroused by the Sight of a Woman??

[Russell Roberts]

He was certainly human. It would follow that he certainly was sexually aroused at the sight of some women. We are often more able to deal with the 'divinity' side of Jesus than with the 'human' side. This is really a false dichotomy. He was and is the truly human one. He came to show humanity what it means to be truly human. Sexuality is part of our humanity and it was part of his as well.

[Full Quiver]

It's natural and NOT unholy otherwise we Christians would never be fruitful and multiply.

[Russell Roberts]

Agreed Full Quiver. I think people are uncomfortable to discuss this aspect of their own humanity much less this aspect of the humanity of Jesus.

[PastorDaniel]

According to the following scriptures we would have to presume that this is something that He would have experienced.

Hebrews 2:17-18 (King James Version)

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 4:15 (King James Version)

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

[Russell Roberts]

Agreed. I actually had that verse in mind. Having said that, I don't think it is sinful to be sexually aroused by seeing or even having sexual fantasies about members of the opposite sex. The problem seems to arise (pardon the pun) when one begins to covet what rightfully belongs to someone else inlcluding their wife.

Suppose a neighbor bought a new corvette. Would it be sinful to imagine driving that corvette? I don't think so. But what if I wanted to obtain that corvette and began to devise plans to get it? This is what it means to covet. This is what I think Jesus was talking about in Matthew 5. To think this way, to covet what belongs to someone else will likely result in dehumanizing behavior - sin.

Coveting someone else's wife might result in neglecting my own wife, or I might use my coveteousness as an excuse to divorce her, or it could result in a total disruption of their marriage if I persued my desire. It seems that Jesus had this in mind in his discourse in Matthew 5. Moses had permitted divorce because their hearts were calloused.

During Jesus ministry there was on ongoing debate about the legitimate reasons for a divorce. Some were using the tinyest excuse to divorce their wives to marry another. Especially in that society, a woman would be left without much support. Jesus pointed out that the original intention was for one man to marry one woman and they would become one flesh. Because God has joined these in marriage, man should not seperate it.

[Brian]

He was certainly human. It would follow that he certainly was sexually aroused at the sight of some women. We are often more able to deal with the 'divinity' side of Jesus than with the 'human' side. This is really a false dichotomy. He was and is the truly human one. He came to show humanity what it means to be truly human. Sexuality is part of our humanity and it was part of his as well.

I don't recall anyone ever saying that we don't have sexual desire or that those desires weren't "natural" as you call it. I believe that is the very reason we are cautioned, BECAUSE our sexual desires are strong and the enemy will use that as a tool to bring about unbalance and unstabiltiy in our lives. It is completely natual to be drawn to the opposite sex to be able to form the relationship that God approves of and embraces. But that doesn't mean that there isn't suppose to be wisdom applied. The word instucts the married to not be apart for to great a time because the devil will temp you with passions and lusts. The words also says to the unmarried that if they cannot control there burning sexual desires then they should marry. It doesnt instruct them to just do whatever comes natural dude. No, it instructs using wisdom and bringing the body under subjection.

I dont have a problem believing that Jesus had human sexual desires but you can better believe he had those desires under the subjection of every word of God! He was tempted but did not sin. The temting isnt the wrong part, the succuming is. (sp)

[Russell Roberts]

I never suggested otherwise.

[RamboPreacher]

He was tempted, yes.

[dolfan]

Suppose a neighbor bought a new corvette. Would it be sinful to imagine driving that corvette? I don't think so. But what if I wanted to obtain that corvette and began to devise plans to get it? This is what it means to covet. This is what I think Jesus was talking about in Matthew 5. To think this way, to covet what belongs to someone else will likely result in dehumanizing behavior - sin.

"I handed him my keys and said, 'Here, take her for a spin.'
The old man shook his head and then he looked at me and grinned.
He said, 'Son, you just don't understand, it ain't the car I want.
It's the brunette in your Vette that turns me on'."

George Jones, The Corvette Song

[PastorDaniel]

Russell, based on the following scripture I would have to disagree with the idea of having sexual fantasies about a woman other than your wife...

Matthew 5:28 (New International Version)
28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

[dolfan]

I don't know if Russell is saying it is okay to lust after another woman besides your wife. I think he is saying, though, that sexual fantasy, the fleeting sexual thoughts that men have, it not sinful. I THINK that's what he's saying.

For my own self and what I understand, any thought not driven out of my heart as soon as I have it and which tends to lure me toward lust for any woman is sinful on my part. I figure most if not all of us guys have way more of that than we want to admit; and, I'll admit that I have more thoughts of this nature than I'd like even if none you perfected saints do. And, here's the hard part -- capturing every thought and bringing it to captive to Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) I've already missed more thoughts today in that way than batters miss changeups. My guard, my "capturer" --- and I suspect more than mine --- can always be improved.

[Russell Roberts]

PastorDaniel, for the sake of clarity, I will repost a comment (with slight revisions) I made from another thread.

I think the idea of 'lust' has more to do with coveteousness than simply being sexually aroused by seeing someone of the opposite sex who is attractive, however they may be dressed (or undressed). The Greek word epithumea, used in Jesus statement about 'adultery of the heart' in Matthew 5 is the same Greek word used in the LXX version of the ten commandments and translated as 'covet'.

His statement was a part of his discussion on divorce. Given the covetousness of some of the Pharisees, they had no problem divorcing their wives to obtain what they had coveted...the wives of other men.

Notice that Jesus specifically uses the Greek word moicheia 'adultery' and not the Greek word porneia or 'fornication'. This rules out the possibility that his reference was to single men or women engaged in sexual fantasy. The word gunaikos may be translated either as woman or wife. Given that Jesus was specifically referring to adultery and not fornication, most likely, the word gunaikos, in this case, should be translated 'wife'.

If so, the translation would simply affirm a commandment that was previously given (not to covet other men's wives) but which had been ignored and was resulting in divorce over trivial things such as burning supper.

A better translation might read "whoever looks at (another man's) wife to covet her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

People will have to draw their own conclusions concerning the implications if my exegesis of this verse is correct. I posted this because I think that a lot of misplaced guilt has resulted from a misunderstanding of what Jesus was really referring to in this verse. Whatever one might conclude, we must concede that sin is not an absolute. It is sometimes subjective. What might be a liberty for some could be a sin for others.

As it relates to sexuality we must exercise caution and discernment. Hopefully, I have done so in what I have posted.

[PastorDaniel]

Well...it reads well...still not sure if I agree...However...by my comments...I'm not stating or implying that I am perfect or don't struggle with this issue as every other man does...

I freely admit that I love the beauty of women...tall, short, slender, or more to love....I can find beauty in most...I have the philosophy that the first look is okay...and even thankful that the Lord creates such beauty...it's the second, third, or flat out staring that will get you in trouble...and I can't say that I haven't been guilty on every count...

My wife and I actually talk openly about attractive people...I can freely point out an attractive woman to her and she can freely point out an attractive man to me...

So it still remains a question to me...do I understand what you're saying?...yes....Have I struggled with the same issues?....yes....Does that make it okay?....not sure....just thankful that God forgives me and helps me to get back up when I feel that I have fallen....