Lust or attraction?

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_Abyssinia

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I am feeling confused regarding whether attraction and lust are the same or whether they are separate and distinct from one another?

The following dictionary definition of “lust” says:
An example of lust is the feeling a guy feels when he looks at an extremely attractive supermodel.
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intense enthusiasm; zest
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What “feeling” would a guy have that makes it lust when he looks at the model? Is there a difference between feeling attracted to somebody versus lusting after them? Are attraction and lust the same thing? If attraction and lust are separate and distinct, what makes them so? If you see somebody in real life or even a celebrity and you think that they are really attractive, and even fangirl after them if they are celebrity, can that be lust?
 
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_Abyssinia said:
I am feeling confused regarding whether attraction and lust are the same or whether they are separate and distinct from one another?
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Lust is how the Church defines it and not a secular dictionary.

The Church definition and teaching:

CCC 2351 Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.
 
@_Abyssinia

“Lust” has a specific meaning in the Catholic Church: read CCC 2351 in post #2.

Lust towards a person occurs in one of two ways: 1) The person is wrongfully reduced to the level of an object, as if they were a means to an end in sexual gratification, or 2) the person is wrongfully elevated to the level of a deity, as if they were the source and summit of happiness and not God.

Pornography, prostitution, human trafficking, or objectifying the person in the mind are examples of #1.

Celebrity worship, obsession, and “doing whatever it takes regardless of morality to acquire the person’s affection”, are examples of #2, where the boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse becomes like a god to them.

There is nothing that God creates that is not good, hence why it cannot be said that attractiveness is evil. However, because of fallen nature, it can be easy for the attractiveness of another to incite lust, as well as jealousy & wrath. If somebody sees a person who they are attracted to, and if that might tempt them to think of them as they shouldn’t, then it is a good practice to thank God for having made them and then pray for them. Overtime, this will form into a habit. A good action that is done habitually is called a “virtue”.
 
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A practical definition might be whether or not there is an undue ‘stiring of they loins’
 
_Abyssinia said:
The following dictionary definition of “lust” says:
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Respectfully opinion only.
What does the His Spoken Word say on lust, his definition?
What does the words> Fornication, Lust mean by our Heavenly Father within his definition<> Spoken Word?
Does He not define, give instructions to> even mentions the words>Fornication> Lust many many many times all through out the whole Bible?
Does our Heavenly Father within His own Spoken Word<<defines, gives us instruction to, what theses 2 Words means to him? Often today the word is not used?

Fornication -For-ni-ca-tion
Noun_sexual intercourse between people married or not married to each other.
" Laws forbidding adultery and fornication
Synonyms> extramarital sex, extramarital relations, adultery, infidelity, unfaithfulness, promiscious behavior or indulging in lawful lust by either sex.

What does the meaning of the Word >attraction mean now?
One can also be attracted or have attractions at Tourist spots?

Good question lust or attraction?
Would it be how we are attracted to someone or thing within our thoughts?
In a lustful way?
Was ones personal desire or ones thought, was it lawful or unlawful if one is of The Faith and Belief?

What does God within His Spoken Word say> defines lust to be or what is fornication? Fornication and lust one in the same? Does lust fall under the Title Fornication?
Ephesians 5:22-33
Ezekiel 37:14
John 14:15
Romans 8:9-11
1 Corinthians 5:19
1 Corinthians 6:13-7, 7:1-5
2 Chronicls 21;11
Rev 17:2
Isaiah 23:15-17
Did Jesus within His Spoken Word, his teaching tell us >has one thought it, so has one committted it? Even our thoughts will be judged?
Good Question Peace:)
 
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I bet you know very well the difference between Lust and Attraction.

Attraction is how we are wired, and is a healthy thing, but at certain points in our life needs to be put into proper context.

Lust, instead of rejoicing in the greatness of God’s creation, is a selfish emotion.
 
TechieGuy said:
A practical definition might be whether or not there is an undue ‘stiring of they loins’
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A counterargument is that a stirring in the loins is involuntary. If a married man physically stirs when looking a woman that is not his wife, that’s out of his control. And as lust is considered a sin, and sin must be willed, merely stirring cannot be the indicator.
 
Regarding the last part of your question, when a guy really starts focusing on her body parts in an objective way without seeing her as a daughter of God, as a whole person with body and soul and of infinite value, he is lusting.

Lusting is disordered, inordinate, and it is sexual attraction gone amok.
 
Love is more about what you can give to others. Lust is more about what you can take from others.
 
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