Fantasizing

QUESTION: Fantasizing: Why is it considered lustful?

ANSWER:

While fantasizing is imagining without yet actually participating in an act, it is an action of the mind and heart -- and is a temptation most of us have faced. Lust is a desire, yearning, and an ache for something we would like to do or have happen out of “feelings.” These thoughts are usually born out of desires contrary to what God says should be our focus or what He has designed for us.

Have you ever heard that we should not let our “feelings” rule us? Feelings can easily mislead us since they have nothing to do with wisdom or logic. Our human emotions tug at us to give way to fantasies and longings that were not meant to be. God calls this lust. Lust is a sinful desire that begins in the mind and is caused by lack of obedience to God’s Word such as is shown in these verses:

• Matthew 5:28: “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not commit adultery’. But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (This was spoken by Jesus.)
  
  
• James 1:14-15: “Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death [spiritual and physical].”
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 10:12-13: “If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptations from becoming so strong that you can’t sand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.”

This last verse assures us that we can stand against the dangers of fantasizing. When we find ourselves weak, we can call on our Lord to help us stand strong. Through our weakness, with Him in us, we can become strong. What God has joined to us (our spouse), or blessed us with (provisions), we need to be grateful for and refrain from fantasizing about anything else.