Matt 5:27-30 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

“You have heard” is a phrase Jesus is going to use much throughout the Sermon on the Mount. He is going to share what the crowd has heard and then challenge them with deeper truth. The people knew the seventh of the ten commandments was the command not to commit adultery. Now Jesus tells them if they even look on a woman with lust they have already committed adultery with her in their heart. This gets right to where the sin of adultery occurs first. That being in the heart.

This issue of our eyes looking where they should not is more a challenge for men than women, but, it can happen to anyone. It affects people of all ages, all races, white collar, blue collar, famous, not famous, church goers and those who do not attend church. The opportunities for trouble have increased significantly with the online activity we all have access to with our computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones. The devil has made sure of that. We not only need to be on guard where and how we look at people we come in contact with throughout our day, but, also when we are online.

Jesus made clear that this sin of lusting with our eyes will send people to hell. He even said it would be better for us to gouge out our good eye or cut off our good hand if they are causing us to sin rather than going to hell with them. This shows us just how horrible Jesus knows hell to be. I suggest everyone who struggles with what they look at to stay away from the problem places and people where possible. I also encourage anyone struggling with this issue to put protections in place on your internet devices and televisions. Based on what Jesus said, it would be better to get rid of them than allow them to cause us to commit this sin and end up in hell.

Please know God does forgive this sin. He also can help anyone find victory to overcome any sin or vice including this one. Seek Him if struggling and you will find much needed grace and help.

Tim