Perhaps the world is in the state it is, because for too long the church has allowed society to do the teaching, instead of loudly proclaiming the teachings of the Bible so it is God’s voice which is heard, instead of the voice of society.

With that said let me get to the text at hand,

"But I say to you that whoever looks at another
to lust for that person has already committed
adultery with that person in their heart."

While attending a party some years back, a gentleman approached me and said, "For a minister, you seem like a normal guy," to which I thanked him. Then he continued, "Have you ever looked at a woman and lusted?"

I asked him, "What do you mean by lust?" I wasn’t trying to avoid his question. I have learned, that before I am going to put my foot in my mouth, I want to be sure I understand, not so much the question, as the reason for asking the question.

He responded by saying, "You know when you see a beautiful woman, and you imagine what it would be like if she was your woman."

At that precise moment I felt like I was back in my high school locker room, participating in one of those conversations of high school aged males, whose hormones are ranging out of control. When you think you are in love with every beautiful girl who says hello to you.

What surprised me most about my conversation with this man is what he said next. He quoted scripture. He quoted this morning’s text,

"If you look at a woman with lust in
your heart you committed adultery."

Then he asked, "Did Jesus really mean that?"

It was becoming pretty clear to me that what this man wanted me to say was, Jesus didn’t mean that. It was as if he wanted me to give him permission or to tell him it was OK to undress any woman he looked at with his eyes and to imagine doing what he wanted to do. This was something I was not about to do. What I was going to do and did do, was share with him my thoughts and interpretation of what Jesus was saying.

First, I started by sharing with him, what Jesus is NOT saying. Jesus is not telling us that we should put blinders on, the kind they put on race horses, so that we can only look straight ahead. So that we are unable to see others.

It is not a sin to admire the beauty or the handsomeness of another person. I admit to be a people watcher. I enjoy watching people. I like to study their actions, to observe them as someone would study or observe a piece of art. I can appreciate the physical beauty of another human being. Does that mean I have committed adultery? NO.

We are all works of art created by God. Works, like beautiful flowers, or sunsets which are to be admired and enjoyed. Enjoyed with the sense of seeing, which is also a gift from God. My seeing a beautiful woman becomes sinful, if and when, I begin mentally imagining being with that person sexually.

Listen again to today’s text. What one or two words do you think are most important?

"But I say to you that whoever looks at another
to lust for that person has already committed
adultery with that person in their heart."

The most important words are TO LUST. They address one's motivation, one's intent.

If you are looking at another with intense sexual desire then you are committing adultery.

Jesus is not condemning natural interest in the opposite sex. Jesus is not condemning healthy sexual desires. What Jesus is condemning is deliberate and repeated filling of one’s mind with sexual fantasies. He does this because Jesus is trying to help you and I avoid sin. Jesus knows sinful thoughts lead to sinful acts. Righteous thoughts lead to righteous acts.

As in the previous verse to today’s reading Jesus desires that His followers are free from anger and killing. So likewise, in today’s verse of scripture Jesus wants you and me to free from lust and adultery.

This passage serves two purposes. Both purposes are of supreme importance. One of its purposes is to speak to married people. Jesus is reminding them of the covenant they made for life. Adultery violates that covenant. Jesus expects His disciples to keep that covenant in both deed and attitude. For a married person to entertain thoughts of relating sexually to someone other than the spouse, makes one guilty of breaking that covenant.

The second purpose is to speak to all people concerning the need for pure thoughts and high regard for the personage of others. The sexual revolution has led to more openness about sexual expression. We live in a sensual culture. Sexual interests and stimulation are promoted freely in advertising, in education, in all social living. Unfortunately, the sexual revolution has perverted sex into selfish gratification and exploitation of another.

Jesus is calling you and I to a higher standard of fidelity and sexuality. Jesus is saying that not only is immorality a sin, but the inner desire for immoral experiences is a sin.

Jesus emphasizes just how serious he is in vs.. 29 and 30, where he advocates that anything that leads to lust should be given up. Better to lose an eye or a limb than to lose one self in sin. Jesus is not advocating that we take the amputation of limbs literally. Biblical scholar, Tasker said it this way, "Jesus is expressing in metaphorical language the all-important truth that a limited but morally healthy life is better than a wider life which is morally depraved."

If there is to be any amputations, start with your attitude. While sinful actions may be more dangerous than sinful desires and attitudes. Sinful desires and attitudes left unchecked result in sinful actions.

Think of these attitudes and desires in terms of a cancerous tumor.

Who here this morning if they were told they had a cancerous tumor would choose to let it grow and decide against treatment or surgery? No one would, WHY? Because you and I know that left untreated, the odds are very good that the tumor will grow and eventually cause our death. If you are willing to take steps to save the body, which is temporary. Why would you not take steps to save the soul, which is eternal, by allowing the Word of God to amputate your sinful attitudes? Why would you tolerate unchecked sin and sinful thoughts and allow it to bring judgment and condemnation?

Left unchecked those desires will become harmful. It is a fact that unchecked sin cause people to excuse sin rather than stop doing it. Sin is deliberate rebellion against God which destroys relationships.

"But I say to you that whoever looks at another
to lust for that person has already committed
adultery with that person in their heart."

Jesus is calling out to everyone, to examine your life, if there is anything, any action, any thoughts, any intentions, that will lead you into sin. If there is, take the necessary actions to remove them. Not to do so, just may cause you to lose your salvation.

Allow God’s Word to become blinders, not blinders so you cannot see the beauty of one another, blinders so that you can only see God’s way as the way of life and living.

AMEN

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