Everything Happens For A Reason

I saw this today and thought:

     I just hope it's before I die and not after.

<3

Jessie

Matthew Chapter 5:27-28

After two emergency root canals in a month, getting the kids to school, a child teething, two kiddies birthday parties to plan for this week and a slew of family emergencies and drama, I am now sitting quietly on a Sunday night enjoying a tiny bit of "me" time before I have to get up and do it all again!

We have an exchange student who isn't LDS, she is Catholic and back home, they attend weekly.  So, we switched gears and instead of reading the Book of Mormon at night, we're reading the New Testament.  I thought this would be a better choice in getting her to join us nightly for scriptures and prayer.  

We read tonight in Matthew Chapter 5:27-28

Ye have heard said that it was said in 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."

This struck me.  I was pretty sure I knew the definition of lust, but I wanted to make sure.

Marriam-Webster says this:

obsoletea : pleasure, delightb : personal inclination : wish

2

: usu. intense or unbridled sexual desire : lasciviousness

3

a : an intense longing : craving <a lust to succeed>b : enthusiasm, eagerness <admired his lust for life>

So, lust is intense or unbridled sexual desire, a wish, craving or intense longing.  That's pretty specific, yes?  I've always heard the "You can look but don't touch" motto.  I thought I was okay...but according to this, I am committing adultery in my heart.

Do I sometimes wish that I could be with a woman? Yes, it has crossed my mind, as previous posts have stated.  Is there an intense longing?  Sometimes.  Do I crave?  As a human, yes, we all do.  I can't deny that this hasn't happened, it has.

But, am I really dammed for life?  Am I cheating?  No, I don't think so.  I think part of it is just Satan...he knows are "weak spots" and chisels at them...he throws thoughts into our head, saying, "yes, she is lovely, wouldn't you like to meet her?"  And, if I wasn't married, I would probably give these thoughts more entertainment than a lingering, "Yeah, that might be fun..." and then move on and head home to my amazing man.

I hope that the "lusting after" that is spoken of is for someone that instead of working on what they need to to make their marriage work...they are looking for something that isn't there anymore and hoping it's in the next person.  Actively seeking out someone else.  That to me is lust.

Can I judge and say it's not okay to cheat or "lust after"??  No, it's not my call.  I'll love you no matter what.  That's what Jesus did.  When he talked to the woman at the well...she was a hooker, plain and simple...and he still loved her.

Anyhoo, that is my thoughts for the week.  Looking forward to posting more questions and answers!  If I can find more time! lol

<3 Jessie