"THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT"
Concerning Adultery (Mt 5:27-30)
INTRODUCTION
- As we continue our study of "The Sermon On The Mount" we find Jesus
still discussing "The Righteousness Of The Kingdom"
- Having dealt with the subject of "murder," He now addressed the
subject of "adultery" (27-30)
- As we consider His words on this subject (and the ones to follow
concerning divorce), it may be that we find His teachings hard to
accept...
- But Jesus DID warn us (in verse 20) that the righteousness
expected of those who would be citizens of His kingdom is one
with very high standards
- Therefore, if we truly desire to be citizens of that kingdom, we
must be willing to accept whatever Jesus requires of us!
[On the subject of adultery, notice that...]
- JESUS GOES BEYOND THE "TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION"
OF THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT (28-30)
- THE "TRADITIONAL INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION"...
- Evidently stressed that as long as one did not commit the
actual act, one was not guilty
- Thereby emphasizing the "letter" of the Law, but not apprecia-
ting the "spirit" behind the Law as well
- BUT JESUS INTERPRETS AND APPLIES THE LAW DIFFERENTLY...
- One does not have to commit the "act" to be guilty of adultery
- One is just as guilty when one "looks at a woman to lust for
her"
- Note: Not the "looking" only, but "to lust" for her is what
is wrong
- "to lust" means to have a strong desire for, to possess and
dominate completely
- A person may look at another with admiration for beauty and
not be guilty of "lust"
- JESUS' INTERPRETATION WAS IN KEEPING WITH WHAT THE LAW OF MOSES
ACTUALLY TAUGHT!
- Notice that the Tenth Commandment condemned coveting a
neighbor's wife - Exo 20:17
- Even in the time of Job, to "look at a woman to lust for her"
was considered wrong - Job 31:1
[So serious is such "lusting," Jesus goes on to say what we should do
with respect to the lustful eye or any other stumblingblocks...]
- JESUS' PROGNOSIS FOR THE LUSTFUL EYE AND OTHER STUMBLINGBLOCKS
(29-30)
- "PLUCK IT OUT AND CAST IT FROM YOU"...
- That Jesus is not being literal should be obvious, for one
could still stumble with the left eye or hand
- The key to understanding this passage is found in Mt 18:7-9
- The "eye" and "hand" represent "offenses"
- Offenses are "stumblingblocks" that lead a person to sin
- These would be enticements to do wrong, beguiling
allurements
- THE MEANING OF JESUS' TEACHING...
- "Take drastic action in getting rid of whatever in the natural
course of events will tempt you to sin"
- Such should be the case in regards to ALL sin, as well as the
sin of adultery
[As we contemplate upon Jesus' words, there are several...]
- IMPORTANT LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
- THE PRESENT IS NOT OUR ONLY LIFE; WE ARE DESTINED FOR ETERNITY!
- The future holds the possibility of "hell" (Greek, GEHENNA, the
place of everlasting torment)
- What we do or not do in the present will determine our place in
the future
- NOTHING, NO MATTER HOW PRECIOUS, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DOOM OUR
GLORIOUS DESTINY!
- God's goal for us is the "kingdom of heaven" in all its eternal
glory!
- What on "earth" can be worthy of losing that?
- SIN, BEING A VERY DESTRUCTIVE FORCE, MUST NOT BE PAMPERED!
- Sin is to the soul what cancer is to the body
- Delay can be deadly!
- Halfway measures, halfhearted efforts, only give sin time
to wreak havoc!
- "Radical surgery" is what's necessary to treat the "cancer" of
sin!
- Cut off those things that might lead you to look upon others
to lust after them
- Such stumblingblocks might be certain books, movies,
pictures, situations
- How much better to dwell upon such things as mentioned in
Php 4:8!
CONCLUSION
- The affect of what Jesus taught is certainly challenging!
- But if it wasn't possible, Jesus would not require it of us - cf.
Mt 11:28-30; 1Jn 5:3
- Of course, in our efforts we are not alone, for God and Jesus are
with us! - cf. Php 2:12-13; 4:13
It is important to keep this in mind, especially in our next study on
the subject of divorce...