Lust of Heart and Mind

N. T. #50 "Lust of Heart and Mind"

April 17, 2023

Matthew 5-Part 20

Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

LET IT GLOW

2. Adultery contrasted with lust.

Jesus addresses the topic of adultery, which is a married person having sex with someone other than their spouse. Marriage requires absolute faithfulness of both. Jesus goes further than the unfaithful act, but He makes a statement about lust being involves. If one looks on a person with lust, then they have committed adultery already in the heart. (verse 28)

Lust means to set the heart upon, long for (rightfully or otherwise); covet; desire.

This is a matter of the heart and the mind. Desire to have sex is mental adultery when it is with another not your spouse. Not only is the act wrong, but the intention is, too. To be faithful to your spouse with your body but not your mind is to break the trust so vital to a strong marriage. Deliberately filling one's mind with fantasies that would be sin if carried out is taught by Jesus. 

Immoral actions begin with immoral thoughts. Pornography is a huge stumbling block to moral purity and a clear example of the kind of sin that Jesus warned against. (Evans)

Adultery is in the head, not just in the bed. (Swindoll)

LET IT GROW

The lust factor is not eliminated by cutting out an eye or cutting off a hand. Blind people can lust. Self-mutilation is not a cure for lust.   He is calling for a radical approach to avoiding sin. Job made a covenant with his eyes. Joseph ran from the temptation of intimacy. Eating of the forbidden fruit or lusting after them results in an impure mind and heart. 

What is the solution?

• Avoid looking at magazines, internet, tv that excites the desires of the body. Watch out for books.
• Avoid touching a person in an inappropriate way. 
• Do not dress to attract others sexually. Do a body check before leaving the house-if you can see it, others can too. (1 Tim. 2:9)
• Avoid conversations not appropriate.
• Do not be alone with people you question their behavior or appearance.
• Stay away from the wrong places and people.
• Capture our thoughts. (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
• Resist the first thought by quoting Scriptures.
• Guard yourself at all times. Consider how it may look to others.
• Flee lusts; not yielding our body to sin. (Rom. 6:11-13)
• Walk in the spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
• Repent, turning from adultery to God. (Matt. 4:17)

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (Proverbs 1:10)

Memorizing Scriptures helps us in various situations. 

LET IT GO 

What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord.