Do Not Lust

“You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28 ESV). Today we are experiencing a sexual revolution with sexual stimulation coming from many sources. In fact, it is difficult to avoid it.  As a result, this command, to not lust, is very relevant, but is being ignored by many, even by Christians. I can remember when adultery (sexual activity between a married person and one who is not their spouse) was a crime and tried in our courts. I was even a witness called before such a trial because of what I had seen, but today sexual activity is accepted and expressed in print and in visual formats.

At the time of Jesus, the command not to commit adultery was probably explained by the Pharisees as extending only to the external act and not to evil thoughts or desirable imagination. Jesus corrected them by saying the command extends to the secrets of the heart and the looking with the eyes. Those who indulge their imaginations with wanton desire or who look at a woman with desire, have already, in the sight of God, violated the command. That which begins in the heart, if not controlled, may live itself out in reality as was the case with king David.

James speaks of this process of evil desire beginning in the heart: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14-15 ESV). How much grief and suffering could be avoided today if this command were obeyed, but with many it is not and in the end life becomes so much more difficult, especially for any children involved.

Prayer

Father, as your children we fall so far short in setting a moral standard for the world to rub against and instead we have allowed their standards to creep into our lives. With the emphasis on holy and righteous living lacking, we are allowing sin to creep in, darkening our lives. With our light diminishing, we are losing our ability to guide the loss to their needed savior and together we are headed toward appropriate judgement. Father, as we see the devastating changes taking place in our culture, we have but us to blame. I have a suspicion it might take persecution to encourage obedience.

See "The Commands of Jesus" Index to view other commands.