GV: Chapter 8 and Epilogue By: Teena White

In this Chapter, we learn about Lust and the confusing when it comes to sex. The questions that bring confusing to the topic are asked. Does sex mean nothing or everything? Is it sacred or sinful? Is it for procreation, personal intimacy, or physical pleasure? And why is it so taboo we can’t talk about it, but we see it broadcasted everywhere? Both the culture and church are sending mixed messages about sex on top of the difficulty handling sexual desire itself! We should remember that God created us as sexual beings and the ability to be sexually aroused and desire sexual pleasure is a natural part of God’s design for human beings. The traditional version is that sexual desire should be expressed in the right context which is marriage. Marriage vows and the sexual consumption signifies and seals them bringing the two together as one. Christian’s seemed to treat sex as if it were the culture’s biggest problem making other sins a least of importance, but there’s a good reason to be upset about the sexual sins. For example, bringing two people together to bond as a union and the creation of humans defends the argument that lust is a deadly sin, which the statement made that, “Sex is like Nitroglycerin” because it can be used either to blow up bridges or heal hearts makes sense due the different opinions on Lust. Sex is designed not just for pleasure making and love making, but bringing new life into the world, so it not only links us to our spouse, but to a child that could be born. Lust, by contrast, pretends sex and sexual pleasure are a party of one making lust all about yourself a self-gratification. In lust, sexual pleasure is divorced from love and mutual self-giving that has nothing to do with giving life or commitment it might bring.

In conclusion of the epilog, think about your vices and what describes your character traits that others and yourself know about. This will help you understand the person you are and the person you wish to become. Doing the exercise explained in the chapter will help you assess who you are and where we’ve been for a starting point and understanding yourself and the difference can help with working toward real change in your life. The seven vices name areas of human weaknesses and to study them is to study ourselves. Pride is the one theme that kept rising to the surface in each chapter and the reason there is no separate chapter on pride in the book because every chapter in the book is of pride due to pride feeding the other seven capital vices. Prides pattern is a quest to provide happiness for ourselves through pleasure, approval, wealth, power, and status not willing to let God be in control.

Reflection:

In my opinion, I believe that Lust regardless of what the meaning is the beginning of any relationship to have a desire for yourself to be happy and loved. I think people should have a lust for each other to form love, which is an important emotion that everyone should experience. Having lust can be healthy and a good tool when you find another person attractive or a potential partner, if you don’t let your lust grow into an unhealthy relationship or obsession. I’m not saying love can’t exist without lust because love starts friendships and the meaning of love is to care about someone. After reading this book, I come to an understanding of the vices and my character traits. These vices will always be a part of our daily lives and cause us to struggle from right and wrong based on our decision. The questions I have in mind would be:

1.    What’s your opinion on Lust, when it comes to relationships? Should sex before a marriage be a sin or with plenty of other vices with more importance should Lust even be a deadly sin?

2.    Do you think you need Lust or Love to build a relationship or both?

3.    After reading the book, what vice do you feel you need to work on to improve yourself?