Is Fantasizing A Sin

QUESTION: Is fantasizing a sin?

ANSWER:

You might say that fantasizing is fun and adds excitement to your life. You might say that fantasizing is a harmless way of escaping doldrums. Or you may fantasize about having material things. But usually we fantasize to fill a deeper void.

Turmoil is certainly one of the leading reasons we might begin fantasizing. We may want things we think we’ll never have. We might have feelings of rejection, loneliness, and discontentment. Your spouse may be too busy, too tired, or uninterested in fulfilling your needs. When we experience these feelings, what are we to do?

Is fantasizing a sin – Let’s see what the Bible says:
“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8) Are the things you are fantasizing about true, noble, right, and pure?

Jesus Himself taught us that to desire something that is sinful is also sinful, “You have heard that the law of Moses says, `Do not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

Job 31:11-12 sums up fantasizing quite nicely, "For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.”

According to the Bible, fantasizing is a sin.

So, how do we fill that void?

• Regarding loneliness: “I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.” This portrayal is from Psalm 102:7. God understands. And He provides many answers to loneliness, such as in Deuteronomy 31:6. “Be strong and courageous...The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will never fail you nor forsake you.” This means you are never alone, He is always there for you and with you.
  
  
• Regarding discontentment: Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-13: “. . .I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little I know how to live on almost nothing, or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.”
  
  
• Regarding turmoil: “A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash. For the poor, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. It is better to have little with fear for the Lord that to have great treasure with turmoil” (Proverbs 15:14-16).
  
  
• Regarding marital fulfillment: Marriage was instituted by God and we should remember that at the heart of marriage is intimacy and companionship. Genesis 2:18, 24 says, “And the Lord says, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a companion who will help him. . . .This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” In Hebrews 13:4 says, “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” Guard against emotional adultery as well as physical adultery because God says what goes on in the heart is the same as performing the act.

True love is putting your spouse and his/her needs before your own. Love is not just an “emotion.” It is an action. But even if you are single, remember that action is never greater than the love God has given us and has for us. He alone can fulfill every need we could ever have.