Read Matthew 5:27-30 – 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. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. (NKJV)
It seems that many responses to this passage center on the high challenge or even the seeming impossibility of living within the boundaries of the compelling statement of verse 28. “Who can live this?” we ask. Many times we dismiss this high standard, accepting it as further proof that we are sinners in need of a Savior. But suppose the deeper point isn’t to underscore our tendency to cross such lines. Might the greater truth be found in where these words point us—back to the wife to whom we’ve made a life commitment? God intends that our “sexual eyes” be aimed at our wives and demonstrated in selfless love and sacrifice. Jesus’ point isn’t to note the easily-available “eye candy” each day may bring, but to show us that these moments reveal our selfish ideas of sexual fulfillment. Remember: Lust is the pursuit of what I don’t have while peace and contentment come from celebrating what I do have with thanksgiving.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
National Men’s Leadership Conference: March 8-10, 2012 . Dallas, Texas . www.men.ag.org
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