Sensuality and spirituality

These two things from afar seem very unrelated. On the contrary, they both are the desire to commune with another person on a deeper more intimate level. One is Godward. The other is particularly towards others. With this understanding, they do not seem as different as people believe. The bible warns about how fallen sensuality, or lust, will have dire spiritual consequences with one's relationship with God. And it does, as I know from personal experience. It is for this that God says sexual impurity aught not be named among the saints.

I could say like some in today's church that this problem is really just what it is to be human. Yes and no. The original desires were good but sin distorts them. This is no justification for the sin. Yet, we were created with good desires and there is always a proper outlit.

First, the correct expression of sensuality is marriage. In marriage, it relates to the pleasure of esteeming one's spouse, like Christ esteems the church, rather than oneself. Christ's death for the church is described in marriage terms. It is not hard to see why Marriage aught to be seen as a little church in a big church. The two flesh became one. One aught to cherish his spouse as much as he cherish his own flesh. In a way, spirituality is very much the twin of sensuality. Spirituality and sensuality also fell in the same way. Lust is similar to idolatry. They both make seek to make the wrong objects, the center of one's affections and devotions.

Singlehood is discussed by Paul in relation to ministry for this reason. Paul, being the chief among singles, considered that freedom from caring for a wife allowed him to be more devoted to God. It seems odd for today's ears to hear but this link between the two explains a lot. Sensuality and spirituality can step on each other's toes. He did not try to reconcile that it with the idea that they both can coexist in equally. Or explicitly state that they can feed off each other.

Now, the option of outworking of our innate desire of sensuality and sex is not available to singles. (In the single state) So, we must learn to be self controlled and content. Paul exalts this character trait even for couples by saying that marriage will be better if people are first self-controlled, for worldly difficulties are less likely to creep in. To what end is this self control? In marriage and in single life? In marriage it is helps put off one's own desires so that they can focus on another's. Sex is not the problem lust is.

In singlehood, this self control is not emotional frigidity. Merely suppressing these desires and being emotionally frigid does not solve the problem. The sin must be dealt with. One must redirect their attention and desires toward God. One must always return to the cross and make their stand on that hill. It is from recognizing his provision and his authority that we can say with Joseph to the Jailer's wife when tempted. "Why would I do such wickedness against my God." One must also be self controlled enough to confess their depravity and seek forgiveness and grace. Finally, spirituality also can affect sensuality. One cannot as easily lust after someone when they are praying for them. It is a strange curiousity but perhaps it is explained by a link between sensuality and spirituality. I am in no ways an expert but this seems to tie together some loose ends. These things are much harder to do in practice than to say. I am still very much a sinner in this area in need of grace.