Lust and Adultery

27“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29So 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. 30And 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

This is something that the devil has a hold over in the Christian world. Some Pastors and other leaders are becoming involved in this and churches and lives are falling apart. As we can see from Jesus' words, one doesn't have to physically commit adultery to become guilty of this, it can become part of your thought life. One may think that it is not too bad, 'no one knows about it.' You're wrong, God does and the devil does as well and if it is not nipped in the bud, it could lead to actually doing it and the destruction of all that God has given you.

Jesus in His discussion here, uses some barbaric suggestions to stop this lust. Firstly, He mentions gouging out the eye to prevent this. But He didn't mean to actually do this - even blind people can lust. It's the same with chopping off the hand, this still wouldn't stop the lust because it is in the heart and thoughts of a person's life. What He meant was there is a need to get rid of the sin - the bad habit or something that we treasure before it becomes worse and we lose everything. So therefore, there is a need to examine our lives for anything that causes us to sin and take necessary action to remove it.

You may think, 'I'm not that type of person' and that may be right but, if your eyes stray to the opposite sex whether in the street, the TV, magazines or films, then there is something within that if ignited could break out into flames. We are human and it can be a normal reaction to look. However, if this 'look' causes a feeling of lust within, there is a need to cast it out before it becomes worse.

There is temptation around every corner; to avoid it we would have to go and live on the moon. But we don't have to respond in a worldly manner to this temptation. In fact we should be on guard because the enemy is all around us, trying to trip us up. Don't allow him to do this.

People become addicted with adultery, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling just to name a few things. Any of these addictions can break a life apart; they can lead a person to lose everything they hold as valuable. Ask yourself; is it really worth it?

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.