“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28
Jesus quotes Exodus 20:14 in telling the people about God’s commandment found in the Law about not committing adultery. Adultery is a married man sleeping with another woman who is not his wife.
The people already knew of this command. Later the leaders would bring a woman to Jesus who was guilty of this. Jesus, however, takes that law a step further. He states that just to even look lustfully at a woman is to commit adultery in the heart.
Looking lustfully is to look at her desiring to be with her in a sexual way. This can go both ways for a man or a woman.
All over the internet and in movies you will see pornography. The world does not see anything wrong with lust. It is something that is in your own heart and mind, and nothing physically happened, so there is no problem.
Although the commands that God gave through Moses looked at outward appearances, God looks at the heart. You are told to love God with all of your heart. Looking lustfully at someone takes a part of your heart and gives it to someone else. It is committing adultery with that person.
You are to turn away from all sin. Right after this verse Jesus goes on to say if a part of your body is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. This shows how sinful lusting is.
Do not allow yourself to be caught up into the web that the world makes showing that sins of thought are acceptable. Keep your mind focused on Jesus.
What do you desire? Are the things you desire the things of God? Or the things of this world? Many believers do not physically commit adultery, but will be guilty of committing adultery in the heart. Do not allow yourself to be guilty of adultery in the heart.
I pray today that you will allow God to guide your heart; that you will keep your eyes and mind focused on God; that you will turn away from sinful desires; that you will not be found guilty of any type of adultery; and that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide you to walk in His path for you.
Leave a Reply