Lust 🤯

Let’s talk about it.

Like really talk.

We all know that as humans, we all experience that carnal feeling of Lust.

It’s common.

But do you know the one place that Lust and anything closely related to it, is a hidden entity?

Church.

Having been in and out and around church for most of my life; growing from a child, through adolescence into adulthood. I realise sex is one of the least spoken about topics in church. And it’s puzzling as to why.

One of the foundational teachings I’ve experienced in church is to “be in the world, not of the world”. Meaning: we are called to live out our purpose on the Earth as Gods children, but we must not subscribe to its popular culture; e.g. hedonism for instance.

So I wonder why the topic of sex, lust and anything parallel to it, seems a taboo subject within church.

In my opinion, if an individual has been called to lead (be a pastor etc) than there is a duty to guide the youth and young adults especially; as this is an age where pertinent curious exploration takes place. Therefore, because the “leaders” and thus the majority (sometimes) in churches don’t discuss these topics; it then filters down to the younger community as something to be discussed and explored in secret. Which inevitably leads to feelings of guilt, shame, conviction and unworthiness of Gods love. And an eventual distancing from the church and God simultaneously.

This is exactly what we should be trying to avoid!

Instead, I have experienced the championing of relationships (especially regarding young adults); encouraging marriage so only then, is sex deemed as “acceptable”. Don’t get me started on young marriages child 😖

I have seen many young people get married in their early 20s (which in my opinion is still a major discovery stage in life – not even fully matured yet). Now I am aware, for some people, it has worked out… that’s great. However, I genuinely believe that for a lot of young couples (in church), they want to rush into marriage so that they can then experience sex in it’s God-ordained fullness and not feel the “out of wedlock” guilt 🙄

I feel it’s a mini epidemic in churches that needs more addressing. If the church community were more transparent and open to discussing the more “shameful” topics, this would then encourage the young community to follow suit, rectify their shame and unlearn the toxic self-deprecation we have all subjected ourselves to one time or another.

I have spent the last few years unlearning the inadequate teachings I have picked up; and have been able to cultivate my own relationship with God, so that other people’s actions and prejudices don’t affect my feelings of self-worth and Gods love for me.

Lust: what a carnal feeling, there are still parts of us that are quite primitive. And it is not something to be ashamed of. Let us not forget how God created us. We are sexual beings, made for relationships (of all types) and is something to embrace. It just depends on how you choose to embrace your essence. Just do not lock parts of yourself away, for fear of shame, condemnation or guilt. We all make mistakes (even and especially married people – don’t let the rings fool you into believing married people are suddenly angels who make no mistakes) but God loves us anyway and will continue to love us through it all.

Now, I am not condoning lust, just encouraging more openness about the struggle humans face with it, especially regarding faith 😉