>>��The article presents two areas, at least, that is personally controversial.
>>��(1) There should be no "thought-sin" in the Bible.
Assuming arguendo that "thought-sin" (A good label you came up with) is not actually sin, it would seem that it is at least an admonition to avoid temptation, which leads to actual sin. Some verses on point I quickly found this morning are:
Matt 5:28
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
(KJV)
Matt 15:19-20
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
(KJV)
Mark 7:21-23
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
(KJV)
There are other verses, but I believe it would be true to argue that occasional horrible thoughts do not equal such actual sins, and to say that there is a distinction in degree and nature between having sinful/lustful thoughts and actually committing such acts. For me I would say the thought is evidence of temptation, which the Bible says we all encounter, and if and when you actually act on that thought, you are giving in to temptation. If you only think it, but never do it, then it seems you have resisted temptation. That said, it is a very dangerous thing to dwell upon temptation.
God's commandment to be fruitful and to multiply is not inconsistent with the fact that illicit sex is a sin in my view. It was spoken as taking place within the context of marriage, and it is in that context that most, but not all, of the Biblical geneologies are laid out.
>>��(2) .....so it can be reasonably inferred, that Jesus's words on adultery has consequential implication, NOT A commandment.....Therefore, personally, all so-called "thought-sin" in the bible, as far as the Christians are concerned, is not a commandment. It is a GUIDELINE, how to do away from the sins, which keep us from fulfiling the two greatest commandments and putting ourselves right with the Lord.
I think I essentially agree. As I mentioned above, when you engage in masterbation via illicit fantasy type arousal (99.9% of the time I agree), you are subjecting yourself to temptation, and the Bible guides (I can accept that) you away from that. We are all subject, so matter how perfect we are (and none of us is perfect before or after being saved), to temptation. And as the Bible showed, even Jesus was subject to temptation on several occasions. Jesus was able to resist, but we, myself included, frequently do not.
I would never condemn or even criticise anyone for masterbating. And I tend to agree with your essential point as I understand it, that avoiding "thought-sin" is a guideline that we are to avoid temptation, with the consequential implication that if we do not, we will almost inevitably fall victim to that temptation.
However, as much as I would prefer it to be otherwise, for me at least it is inevitable that to allow temptation while also engaging in the physical act of masterbation is a sin.
I am sure the world would be a much more perfect place than it is were that sin committed by everyone in the world, but there was no other sin. The Bible guides us to live a perfect life, and since Jesus was able to, and was born of woman, it guides us that it is possible. But the Bible also says all are sinners, and so it acknowledges that no one other than Jesus will actually attain such perfection.
When Jesus came he brought forgivness and salvation, and with his coming the law was no more and grace abounded. That does not mean you should not avoid sin and strive for perfection, but it means that although no matter how hard you try you still sin, salvation is still your's.....not as a reward for having so achieved....but through the grace of God given to all who have faith.
Be well!