Adultery

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, 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. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, 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 be thrown into hell.” (Matthew 5:27–30 NLT)

Sin, sexual sin, happens in the heart before, often long before, it becomes a physical act. And once it’s happening in your heart, it’s only a matter of time before the act occurs! Jesus is going to say over and over again as we move through the gospels, that it’s a matter of the heart!

And don’t get sidetracked by trying to figure out if Jesus actually means we should gouge out an eye or cut off a hand! Jesus’ point is that this is really, really important—so important that if it requires the very most drastic action to stop yourself from going down the path of temptation you should take that drastic action!

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT)

Don’t go here: “I’ll get as close to the edge as I can without falling off! No one will ever know! I’ll stop short of the point of no return. I can keep from getting caught!”

Instead go here: “I’m going to stay as far back from the edge of the precipice as I can! I’m going to avoid the thought processes that lead to the action. I’m going to avoid imagining and fantasizing the action that will entrap me! I’m going to do my absolute best to avoid situations that could lead to sexual sin!”

“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right!” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT)

Prayer:

Father, Please help me and my friends to take this seriously! Help us understand the urgency with which Jesus tell us that sexual sin occurs in our hearts before it becomes a physical act. Forgive me when I let my mind take my heart where it shouldn’t go. Forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In Jesus’ Name!