The Origin of the Problem
“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27–28)
I find it nothing short of amazing that the subjects Christ addressed in His century-one sermon are as relevant today as they were when He first spoke. Murder and conflicts. Divorce and lies. Ears must have perked up when he started in on adultery.
He begins by quoting the sixth commandment, which everyone in His audience knew painfully well. From childhood, all Jewish citizens had had the commandments drilled into their heads. No adultery! But Jesus goes further. He must have had their full attention when He added, “But I say to you. . . .” What more needed to be said? Surely “Do not commit adultery” was sufficient, right? Not if we are going to the heart of the problem. Not if the goal is a righteousness that surpasses pharisaic righteousness.
Jesus never promoted a performance-oriented, surface-only religious lifestyle, but rather an authentic, true-to-the-core life of simple faith. So the subject of adultery must be traced to the origin of the problem: the inner person where thoughts find their root. To put it straight, long before adultery takes place in the bed, it has already been visualized in the head. Therefore, Jesus added, “Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
Those words are familiar to us today, but back then? Revolutionary. Absolutely and shockingly revolutionary. By going to the heart of the issue, Jesus’ simplified instructions removed the gray areas related to adultery. He introduced an unheard-of equation: unbridled lust equals adultery.
Jesus is not speaking of simply looking at another person but looking for the purpose of lusting. So, do not look to prompt lust. Do not touch to stimulate lust. In today’s terms, do not undress a man or woman in your mind as you stare at the physical appearance. And, ladies, you can cooperate by refusing to wear seductive attire.
One of the best ways I have found to obey Jesus’ instruction is simply to replace sensual thoughts with wholesome ones . . . to occupy my mind with things that are pure, healthy, and positive rather than lurid, provocative, and questionable. Scripture memory works wonders, frankly. I find it impossible to simultaneously lust and repeat verses on moral purity.
Taken from Simple Faith by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1991, 2003 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
