Lust and Adultery

Matthew 5: 27-30

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-3027 “You have heard that it was said to those of old,  ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

28  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30

I. The Power of Imagination

II. Imagination Can Have A Dark SideSatan Perverts What Is Good !

Jimmy Carter, 1976:" I try not to commit a deliberate sin. I recognize that I'm going to do it anyhow, because I'm human and I'm tempted. And Christ set some almost impossible standards for us. Christ said, 'I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.‘ I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do--and I have done it--and God forgives me for it."

In The Workplace and Daily Life

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30

I. The Power of Imagination

II. Imagination Can Have A Dark SideIII. The SoM: Christ’s Position

IV. Christ is Dealing With The Internal, Not External

V. Lust

Challenging and Straight Forward

Adultery Is MORE Than The Physical Act

• Insatiable Desire• Sinful Craving• Eyes Awaken Desire

In The Workplace and Daily life

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30

I. Is Sexual Desire Lust ?A. NO! • It Is God-Given • For Pleasure and ProcreationB. Distinction • God’s Plan of Sexual Desire is Healthy• Lust Is Rooted in Human Depravity• It Is Self-Centered, Focused on My Gratification• Marriage Bed Is To Be Undefiled• Lust Perverts Marriage

Preventing Lust Is A Difficult Challenge

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30

II. Is Lust Adultery ?A. Yes! • Both Physical And Mental Is Sin• Sinful Even If Only In The MindB. Elaboration • Great Punishment for Immorality• OT: Capital Offense By Stoning• NT: Disqualification For Spiritual Leadership• If We Deal With The Mind, We Don’t Have To Deal

With Physical Sin• The Pharisees Could Not Get Past The Outward,

External Righteousness

Inward Thoughts Produce Outward Acts

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30

III. Why Is Lust Wrong ?A. It Denies The Law of Love ! • God Created The Whole Person• Lust Focuses Only On The Physical• Lust Will NOT Foster Love !B. It Devours a Person ! • Demands Increasing Satisfaction• Traps a Person, Seems Like No Way Out• Insatiable Thirst Causes Death• Lust is Destructive: Body, Soul, Spirit

Look Upon The Opposite Sex As In The Image of God

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30IV. What Can We Do About Lust ?

A. Take RADICAL Steps • Note The Words Of Jesus Christ• Connection: Eye – Heart Adultery• Treat Your Body As A Blind AmputeeB. Take Responsibility ! • No “Victim” Mentality• Take It To Christ … And Leave it !C. Take Notice of Early Warnings • Make A Way of Escape 1 Cor. 10:13• It Always Begins With A ChoiceD. Take Time To Feed on God’s WORD• It Is TRUTH – Opposite of The WorldE. Take Time To Renew Higher Law• Lust Destroys Intimacy – Not Close to God or Spouse

Closing Thoughts

I. Walking With The Lord• Lust Hinders Spiritual Growth• Lust is Prohibited So We Can Grow in Christ

II. Loving The Lord• Love Him Too Much To Lust For Another• Cultivate Intimacy With God

We Must Decide Who We Will Live For: God or The World !