Discussion Guide

Teaching Point
Physical attraction is unavoidable, but it can lead to sinful behavior if you’re not careful.

Opening Discussion
What’s considered attractive today – a certain sense of style, or a particular taste in music? What attracts you to a person? Are you attracted first to a person’s personality, or the way he or she looks?

Discussion
Talking about attraction to other people can be a fine line. We’re naturally drawn to people, aren’t we? Sometimes, a person’s personality is what draws us in – we can’t help but like him or her, right? But, sometimes there’s a physical attraction. Consider Justin Timberlake’s new song. He talks about seeing someone in club, and the attraction he feels when he sees her dance. Physical attraction is okay on its own. It’s what we do and how we respond to that attraction that can make or break us in the eyes of God.

In Matthew 5:27-28 Jesus advises men to consider how they look at women, or generally how we look at anyone we may be attracted to. Even looking at another person with unclean thoughts, according to Jesus, is sinful – He equates it to adultery. In 1 John 2:16 we’re warned that such strong attractions of not from God, but are “of the world.” Lustful desires are simply not what God has in mind for us concerning romantic relationships.

Physical attraction is not a bad thing. We can look to the Bible, in the Song of Solomon, and find all kinds of descriptions of a man in love with the woman he married. The difference with this sort of physical attraction is that it’s within the bounds of a sanctified marriage. That is God’s intent for us – a life of sexual purity leading to a holy marriage.

Conclusion
Physical attraction to a person is to be expected. Human nature is to be drawn to other people. However, when physical attraction leads to lustful thoughts, as Christians we begin to walk a dangerous line. By all means, don’t turn away from relationships – but tread carefully, pray continually, and seek the Spirit’s leading as David prayed in Psalm 119: 9-10, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!”