While teaching to the crowds during the Sermon on the Mount, as documented in Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus powerfully clarifies the commandment about not committing adultery to show us how high God’s standard is for us.
27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’[a] 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[b]—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[c]—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.
Jesus is not telling us to poke out our eye to overcome adultery. He is, however, clearly telling us how important it is for us to fight sinful thoughts rather than dwell on them. Do not accept lustful thoughts thinking “I am not physically committing adultery, so it is ok to think about it.” Avoid, fight or flee from lustful thoughts or situations.
There are at least two good reasons for doing so:
- Our thoughts ultimately guide our actions. If we dwell on sinful thoughts it can lead us to sinful behaviors.
- Even just accepting the sin in our minds, if we never act on the behavior, can have a damaging effect on our relationship with our spouse or with God.
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