Adultery, what a nasty word. It’s no wonder people don’t call it that, They refer to it as an affair, a fling, illicit love, even an extramarital relationship, anything but adultery. It seems every time I turn around people are unfaithful to their wedding vows and destroy their marriage.
It is no surprise that one of God’s 10 Commandments is: Thou shalt not commit adultery. Adultery destroys marriages, families, and individuals.
But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus goes on to say that believers, people who follow Christ, have a much higher calling than to simply obey the law.
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. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30)
The Desire
Jesus tells us that “looking” with lust is adultery of the heart. This is not a passing glance. But an intentional look with the purpose of lusting. I’ve often counseled young men that it’s not the first look that’s wrong, it’s the second. Martin Luther said, “You can’t keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep him from building a nest in your hair.”
But notice that the look does not cause a man to commit adultery in his heart. He already has committed adultery. Lustful looking does not cause sin, sin causes lustful looking.
We live in a world filled with lust. One marketing strategy is: Sex Sells. The porn industry generates $13 billion each year in the US. Internet porn alone is a $3 billion per year business. One statistic that surprised me is: 67% of young men and 49% of young women say viewing porn is an acceptable way to express one’s sexuality.
However, 68% of divorce cases involved one party meeting a new lover over the Internet. 56% of divorce cases involved one party having an obsessive interest in pornographic websites. Those who have ever committed adultery are218% more likely to look at porn.
Women are not exempt. Arthur Pink said, “If lustful looking is so grievous a sin, then those who dress and expose themselves with the desire to be looked at and lusted after… are not less but perhaps more guilty.” It is one thing to look attractive; another to look seductive.
The Deliverance
Jesus warns of anything that would cause a person to ‘stumble.’ The Greek word he used is skandalizo. It means to cause to fall – much like bait in a trap. Anything that causes us to fall into sin should be eliminated. Jesus says to cut it out of our life.
Lust is a problem of the heart. So, what good would plucking out the eye or cutting off the hand do? Cutting off body parts does not eliminate sin.
Jesus is not referring to a physical cutting off. Jesus’ point is that we should give up whatever is necessary to protect us from evil. It is better to not experience some things this life offers in order to enter a life which is life indeed.
So, what are some practical steps to fighting lust. According to Covenant Eyes, we find 3 Biblical strategies for fighting lust. These are based on 2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Run From (“flee youthful lusts“). Even though Christians have the Holy Spirit, we still live in a body that wants to lust. When you sense the urge to lust, run mentally (bounce your thoughts away from lustful imaginations), run visually (bounce your eyes away from lustful images), and run physically (walk or run from tempting situations).
Run To (“pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace”). Run toward a new passion – becoming Christlike.
Run With (“along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”). Run with brothers and sisters with the same vision. We must all find Christians who share our faith and convictions and will help us in our common struggle for holiness.
In addition, there are several Christian organizations that help in this area. Covenant Eyes, XXX Church, and Focus on the Family all offer excellent help.
You can read my other Sermon on the Mount articles: Life Redefined: Sermons from The Sermon on the Mount.
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