"Lust"
October 17, 2023 | By Chuck
Since we’re hitting all the hot topics in our Sunday morning sermon series, why not write about one more? Much is said about lust today. Some of it is good and some of it is not so good. It’s important that we begin with what Jesus said about lust. “You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) Jesus transitions from the act of adultery, which the old law condemned to death, to the heart of the matter which is lust.
Lust is a heart issue, and contrary to what some may believe, not only a male problem. Could it be that the current climate of our culture has conditioned us to believe that lust is only a male problem? Is lust a serious problem? Yes for sure and it can be for men and women. Jesus spoke to the seriousness of lust. “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” (Matthew 5:29). Lust is so serious it can become a salvation issue.
We must understand the seriousness of this issue, but we must also understand exactly what lust is and isn’t. Jesus says lust is determined by the intent of the heart. “…everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) So, just noticing or looking at a woman is not lust. It’s looking at her with lustful intent in your heart. We need to know the difference and we need to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:5) I think we would do well to follow the example of Job. “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin.” (Job 31:1)?