Indeed. I think many fear seeing the body sensually as lust or, if they look upon another, with sexual appreciation they may be fornicating but these two terms are greatly confused in the translation. Lust is not a sin, in fact, sin itself is not even a present term in the Old Testament in regards to it being an offense against God. Sin is a term derived from archers and their missing the mark, this was called sin. In this understanding Jesus used this term to mean men missing their mark of God by the favoring of pleasures. So lust, much like being lazy or boastful is a doorway to offense. Jesus said that there are no laws for man but the discipline of his passions and the love of his Father in Heaven. ANything, done in excess, has the potential to take you off the straight path. Exercise discipline in all things!
We also do not have anything that resembles a thing called Satan, the Devil or any other interruption of what is called "The Morning Star" or "The Son of the Morning" This term translates very poorly from Aramaic and Hebrew to Greek, Latin and finally French and English. To understand the teachings of the Bible it is very important to learn Biblical Hebrew and understand it's relationship to what the Torah and the Gospels are really explaining. In my formal training I studied Catholicism and Apostlelistic Teachings. Later I studied Greek and Latin to gain a better understanding and the ability to pray in the native tongue of the Roman Catholic Missal. I further studied theology, biblical geology and history where I further gained greater understanding. Over the last 10 years I have studied Hebrew, Aramaic, Egyptian to further gain greater understanding into the original origins of faith.
The body that has been created is there for us to love with all our hearts and have a deep appreciation and respect for it. Lusting or coveting as such, to justify an offense against the self, which is an offense against God, is where the line is crossed. Masturbation is in no way discussed in any books of the Bible. Sexuality is largely discussed by the prophets, especially about Sodom and Gomorrah, but it is very important to understand exactly what was happening there and why it was destroyed. The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are more of a classification of objectionable vices that lead to self offense, offense of other or of God. Wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony are not the offense themselves, it is through these states that we are tempted to fall away from God.
Respect all things within the limits of your ability to stay of the righteous path. Become greater by becoming attune with Love of God and your Brothers. Do not seek rewards here on Earth, do all for God in hopes of Eternal Life and forgiveness for the offense we may have caused through our ignorance and lack of control. Jesus said, a man only need to wash his feet to be clean, this should be understood as do nor evil by your hands, do only good, the only place you with ever be dirty is by the feet that touch the Earth and the dust of evils of this world. Jesus also said, When doing good do not let the right hand know what the left is doing, this is above all will bring favor in the eyes of the Creator and that reward will be made for you in Heaven.
Do the right thing, say you are sorry, say thank you, let the last go first, give everything you can, carry your cross and do all in the hopes of a greater life on Earth and a part in the fellowship that has been promised to those with this understanding!
