given men and women. The problem' undoubtedly lies in the fact that they are exaggerated and that your hus band, a dedicated Christian, does not have control over these thoughts. One of the best ways to rid oneself of such problems is to seek professional help in finding the ^causes. Your hus band probably does not know what is creating this difficulty. A well-trained psychologist, psychiatrist, or perhaps a medical doctor or minister could help him to discover the causes. Then by discussing them fully, they will tend to disappear. A professional coun selor will make other suggestions to your husband and to you. Additional conditions may be affecting your hus band, too. WHAT ABOUT DANCING? Question. I’m sixteen years old, and I live in the West Indies. I go to dances and other things that sixteen year old girls and boys do, but only to have a boy friend. I don’t do anything wrong. I can’t see anything wrong with that, can you? The reason Christians disapprove of dancing has never been explained, except that it is a sin. Answer. In G o d ’ s W o r d we read , “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Cor. 10:31). This means that our total intentions should be honoring to God. Actually the Christian life is not filled with do’s and don’ts. It is the out-living of the inward Christ. When we trust in Jesus Christ as our per sonal Saviour and we daily read His Word and talk to Him in prayer, He gradually draws us closer and closer to Himself. Then as we obey Him we have the mind of Christ. In other
IMPURE THOUGHTS Question. I have a question to ask you. It isn’t an easy one and yet I feel that we need to know more about this. M y husband is a young middle aged man and he was saved some years ago. Before he was saved his life wasn’t the best, and he had habits that were not good ones. One of these was a desire to see girls very scantily clad. However, the desires never re sulted in reality. What is bothering him now is the fact that every once in a while this desire returns and it is a stumbling block in his Christian life. Now what l would like to know is how he can get over this. Is this a natural feeling for men to have? He doesn’t want to have these kinds of thoughts, but has never had complete victory over them. Why? Is there any way that I can help him? I realize that you are busy and if you feel that I have sent you insuffi cient information, please forget about this letter. Dr. Narramore, we are both Chris tians and are endeavoring to serve our Lord in the way that He wants us to. Our desire is to get victory over any sin in our lives lest it be a stumbling block to us in our walk with Christ. Answer. In answer to your problem, let me say that God, in creating man and woman, caused them to be attracted to each other. This is normal and wholesome — according to the right eous intentions of God. When a man is bothered with thoughts such as you mention, he un doubtedly needs help in ridding him self of them. They are not unusual. They are not strange, “ unheard o f ’ thoughts. But they are extensions of normal healthy drives which God has
words, He creates in us a desire to do His will. May I suggest that you sur render completely to Him and set aside a time each day for prayer and Bible study. When you do this, dan cing and other worldly things will hold no attraction for you. Specifically, attending dances has these disadvantages: 1. You are thrown into a crowd of non-Christians. 2. You become a stumbling block to other believers. 3. Your witness to the unsaved is dulled. 4. You a re t u r n e d a w a y from Christ-centered activities. 5. You break your precious fellow ship with Christ. DRIP, DRIP, DRIP Question. Should dripping water from a faucet greatly disturb a 15-year-old girl? It does me! Answer. Yes, steadily dripping water annoys anyone, not just you. I suppose we’ve all had the experi ence of going to bed, quieting down, then just before falling off to sleep hearing a dripping faucet. “ Drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip.” “ Shall I get up and turn it off?” “Who left it on, anyway?” After debating for awhile you finally decide to arouse yourself, get up and turn it off. The human .mind is not able to take persistent, monotonous noises. In fact, such sounds are used for torture purposes. We can stand noises if they occasionally subside or disappear. But unlike machines, human beings must have variety and change —- work then rest, stimulation, then peace. This is the way God made us.
DECEMBER, 1959
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