SATURDAY February 29, 2020
The Sin of Adultery
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Matthew 5:27-28
Jesus quoted another one of the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:14, in which God commands, “You shall not commit adultery.” In the Old Testament, a man and woman guilty of committing physical adultery were stoned to death (Leviticus 20:10). However, Jesus taught that it was not just the physical act of adultery that made a person an adulterer. Adultery begins in the heart. A person is guilty when they have looked, lusted and coveted another person’s wife or husband––that is adultery.
A person can become so obsessed with wanting a married person––it is forbidden fruit. This uncontrollable lust and passion can cause some people to lose sleep. The desire is so strong that they will not stop until they get what they want. Lust will drive you insane! It is like a fever. Never play with sin––it will totally destroy you! Be careful.
The eyes are the windows to the soul (Matthew 6:22-23). If a man looks once at a beautiful woman, no problem; but if they look twice and begin to lust and covet, they become guilty of adultery before God. Often before the physical act of adultery is committed, a person has gone through a thought process. They play with different scenarios within their minds, creating a world of lust. When they have the opportunity, sin happens and adultery is committed.
The only way out is to repent and bring these sinful passions into submission to Christ. Keep your eyes on the Cross. Obedience to God’s Word will help you to crucify your flesh and overcome your sinful nature (Romans 6).
…the seat and subject of the law of sin is the heart of man.
~John Owen~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!