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Hey, Martin--that was a good and thoughtful post that guy wrote. It seemed like he was open to the answer at first, and then he made his decision against it by the end. I think this is definitely one of those things that a person has to decide for themselves (bec, like the author of that post wrote [and Mark Driscoll--mercy], the Bible doesn't specifically call it a sin)--that it is between them and God, and indeed, His will for that guy may be different at different times in his life.
So, I can't critique his line of thought bec that is between him and God, but I do question some of the logic, namely the idea that a person with a "lust addiction" is akin to a person who is an alcoholic, who supposedly can never go into a bar again (the reality is some can, some can't). But on the lust part, clinically, there is such a thing as having a sexual addiction, but calling someone a lust addict is like calling someone a hunger addict. If a person has a food addiction, does that mean that they can never eat again? No, they would die. What they have to do is not starve themselves, but to go on a healthy and limited diet, and also work on the emotional and mental triggers that lead them to abuse food and to turn eating into something other than a pleasurable thing we do on a regular basis to keep ourselves nourished. When a person is overeating bec they are depressed, angry, lonely, have a crappy self-image, etc. then it can turn into a an addictive, compulsive thing.
Now, with lust and sex, unlike w/food, we won't die if we don't have sex (though it may feel like it sometimes!), so it's not on the same level, but we are designed for sex and for sexual interest and pleasure, etc. We have to be very careful here (which that blogger could have done a better job with) in distinguishing the difference between sexual desire and lust in the negative sense. Biblically-speaking, as best as I understand it, feeling horny isn't lust, wanting to have sex isn't lust, liking your penis isn't lust, thinking girls are attractive isn't lust, I don't even think that thinking "man, I want to do this and that when I get married, won't that be awesome?!" isn't even lust. On one hand, technically, the Greek word used in the NT that we usually translate as "lust" is epithumia and it literally means a "strong desire." It can refer to any really strong desire, and in fact (bum-bum-bum!!!) three times the word is used positively in Scripture, one of which was Paul saying to Timothy I believe that he "lusted" to see him. Take that one out of context, and see what happens, haha. But words don't just have literal meanings, they are contextual, and in context, when the Bible uses the word epithumia negatively in the context of sexual desire, it doesn't seem to be speaking about sexual desire in general, but specifically, inappropriate sexual desire. And in the case where Jesus used it famously with "Whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery w/her in his heart"--context; context; context!!! He is speaking about a married guy fantasizing over some chick you see on the street, imagining using her sexually, and yet still thinking you are so righteous bec you don't have affairs. He was speaking to the Pharisees who were prone to doing such things, and he wanted to get them where it would hurt to make a serious point, more about self-righteousness and hypocrisy than about lusting after chicks, though that is part of it.
SO, my point is that I don't believe that simply thinking about or desiring sex is what the Bible criticizes when it condemns lust. Like you said, if you are horny enough, you can MB w/out thinking too many sexual thoughts, but simply enjoying the sexual pleasure you feel and even wishing you could have sex in a general way, I don't think is that big of a deal. If you are playing out some sexual fantasy w/the receptionist at your work, I think that would be wrong. You see the difference?
Now, I think MB, in an of itself, can be an issue if it becomes habitual, when we do it every time we feel down (can easily become an addiction that way), etc. And a disciple of Jesus needs to pray and check in with God about all kinds of stuff, and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, etc., so there are many factors involved. But, my personal conviction is that MB, in and of itself, and sexual desire and even some sexual thoughts, in and of themselves aren't sinful, but part of our awesome human experience and GOd's desire for us. Look through the Song of Songs/Solomon, and read it carefully. Notice how much is said before the wedding. There is a LOT of sexual desire between the two, and nowhere is it condemned as inappropriate. But there are boundaries, and I actually think the boundaries make it sexier, because they heighten anticipation, and let's face it 80% of sex is in the head. That being said, enjoying the 20% purely physical part isn't sinful, but needs to be kept in check.
Just my .10 cents. OK, maybe .20, haha
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