Jesus and Lust | Holy Bible

Making Christ Known


HOME
More Tips for Daily Living through Bible Study
Christian Articles

Matthew 5:27-30

Jesus Teaches about Lust


5:27 "You have heard that it was said, ' Do not commit adultery.'

 
28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
 
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, 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 right 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 go into hell."



This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

Commentary by Bob Pardue

Jesus Teaches about Lust

Former President Jimmy Carter once gave an interview about being a "born again" Christian and the news picked up on one profound statement he made; "I have sinned in my heart."
 
This passage is not only about sins of the flesh but sins of the heart.

The Old Testament law said that it is wrong for a person to have sex with someone other than his or her spouse (Exodus 20:14). But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and thus sin.

 
Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention.
 
To be faithful to your spouse with your body but not your mind is to break the trust so vital to a strong marriage.
 
Jesus is not condemning natural interest in the opposite sex or even healthy sexual desire, but the deliberate and repeated filling of one's mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted out.
 
... (.. 'the eye or the hand)... Is Christ asking us to gouge out our eye or cut off our hand? Of course not.
 
Jesus was speaking figuratively and is not asking you to do yourself harm. We sometimes tolerate sins in our lives that, left unchecked, could eventually destroy us.
 
Christ is stating here sometimes it is better to experience the pain of removal (getting rid of a bad habit or something we treasure, for instance) than to allow the sin to bring judgment and condemnation.
 
Examine your life for anything that causes you to sin, and take every step you can to remove it.

Love in Christ

- Bob


If you have never made the commitment to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to go here and take the first steps to salvation.

Bob Pardue is a member of First Baptist Church in Lancaster, SC. He is ordained from Rich Hill Baptist in Lancaster.

Want to place this passage and commentary on your website or e-zine for content?

This article about Jesus and lust may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any e-zine, newsletter, blog, or website. The author's name, bio, and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

Bob



Verses are from Life Application Study Bible: New International Version

Comments are welcome. Please email me with any questions or comments you may have.

 

Copyright Making Christ Known - All Worldwide Rights Jesus and lust