Is it wrong for a Christian to have a sexual fantasy? | GotQuestions.org

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In today's video I'll answer your question, is it wrong for a Christian to have a sexual fantasy?

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Then afterward, as always, I'll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end. A fantasy is an act or event created in the imagination.

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In most cases, the imagined act is impossible or improbable. A sexual fantasy creates a sexual act or event in the imagination.

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Depending upon the nature of the fantasy and the imagined players in it, a sexual fantasy can be a sin.

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Any imagined scenario that is inappropriate for moral, ethical, or spiritual reasons is sinful.

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Imagination is a gift from God, and fantasy is part of the human psyche. We fantasize often, without even realizing it.

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Fantasies can range from imagining that we hit all the green lights on the way to work and arrive early, to conjuring up vile and physically impossible acts.

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Fantasies are usually spawned from our personal reality and our attempts to create a reality we prefer, rather than the one that exists.

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Some people become so wrapped up in their fantasy life that they disconnect from reality and real relationships.

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Some internet options allow people to create virtual characters and live vicariously through those characters.

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Sexual fantasy is often part of that virtual reality and allows people to simulate sexual acts without actually being physically present.

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Proverbs 23, verse 7 says that whatever we think in our hearts, that is who we are.

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Many would argue, but I'm not actually doing anything wrong. However, the Bible speaks a lot about our thoughts and is clear that even our fantasies are to be brought into submission to God's will.

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Jesus said, "...but the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

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For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander."

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Matthew 15, verse 19. He also said that even looking upon someone with lust is as the sin of adultery.

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Matthew 5, verse 28. If the sexual fantasy consists of actions or words that are not in line with God's will for us, then it is sin.

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Sexual fantasies about our marriage partner may not be sin if we are morally free to act upon those fantasies.

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But if we are imagining engaging in sexual acts with someone to whom we are not married, it is lust, and lust is sin.

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We cannot always control the thoughts that shoot through our minds. We are exposed to sexual stimuli continually.

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Ephesians 6, verse 16 talks about the fiery darts of the wicked one. Our minds are

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Satan's target for those darts, and sexual fantasies are one of the fiery darts that, let unchallenged, can lead us into sin.

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James 1, verses 13 -15 shows us the progression of sin, beginning with an evil desire.

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When evil desires arise in our hearts, we have a choice about what we do with them.

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We can entertain them, allowing them to erupt into full -blown fantasies, or we can take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

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2 Corinthians 10, verse 5. As Christians, we have the power of the

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Holy Spirit working in our lives to enable us to squelch the beginning of an ungodly fantasy.

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When we realize we are daydreaming about something that God has said is off -limits, we can quickly arrest that thought, confess it to Jesus, and ask

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His forgiveness. 1 John 1, verse 9. At a later time, it may be helpful to scrutinize the kind of fantasy that seems to dominate your thoughts.

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Fantasies often reveal unmet needs that God wants to supply in healthy ways. Likewise, sexual fantasies can showcase a wounded place in our spirits that God needs to heal.

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If the fantasies persist and are disturbing, seeking godly counsel can help uncover the root of the heart wound producing them.

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When in doubt about a sexual fantasy or any other consuming thought, we can always apply the

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Philippians 4, verse 8 test to see if it's pleasing to God. He wants to be

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Lord over every part of us, including our fantasies. Want to learn more?

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Subscribe so you don't miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions .org for more great content. And check out the details section below this video, there you'll find one book

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I recommend, along with links to several related questions. If you'd like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you're interested in Bite -sized devotionals, subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it's linked right here.