Let My Eyes Help My Heart Matthew 6:22-23

EYES: whatever allows thoughts to enter our hearts (seeing, hearing, touching) EYES, HEARTS and CONDUCT  Job 31:7-8, “If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart walked after my eyes, or if any spot adheres to my hands, then let me sow, and another eat; Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.

Immoral Thoughts from Immoral Sources Vulgar talk, jokes or conversations Pornography  TV, (even comedy, cartoon) movies, magazines, clothing advertisements, books, music lyrics, internet  Some “so-called” famous art Indecent or immodest attire and conduct

Proper Place for Sexual Thoughts and Actions ONLY IN MARRIAGE! “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Heb 13:4 COMPARE: Gen 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” WITH: 1 Cor 6:13, 15-16, “….16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh.“ Male & Female sexual desire. 1 Cor 7:1-7 Men & Women, Boys & Girls, True manhood and woman- hood is demonstrated by godly character, not our bodies.

Why are impure sexual thoughts and actions “SO” sinful? The greater the value, the greater the punishment Sexual desire has “addictive properties”  Good: repeatedly draws a husband and wife together making their bond stronger. (1 Cor 7:5).  Bad: causes one to repeatedly look at, think about or engage in sexual misconduct. Causes one to lie, sneak, deceive and be drawn further into sexual misconduct than he or she intended. Matt 5:27-28, 2 Pet 2:12-14 “Don’t deny yourself of that special gift in marriage by sharing it with others outside of marriage!”

The key factor promoting sexually immoral thoughts and conduct… …mental portrayal of the nakedness of others. WITHOUT THESE IMAGES THERE IS NO ISSUE! Requires a study in modest apparel & conduct 2-Way responsibility: I can only control my eyes. You control your appearance.

Two basic facts for understanding God’s thoughts on modest apparel and conduct. 1.Nakedness shared, mentally and physically, only in marriage. 2.Determine what nakedness is and then cover it.  Therefore, the subject of modesty is DIRECTLY RELATED TO MARRIAGE, WHETHER OR NOT ONE IS MARRIED!

Can we know what is “modest”? “No set line for modesty” “Cannot use the Old Testament because we are not under the Old Law.” “Godly men and women will know what is modest.”  If they know then they can draw the line.  If there is no line how can they “know” what is modest? Would God give such a powerful and potentially dangerous human desire without clearly defining the guidelines for using it properly?

We can know what is modest by learning what is shameful nakedness. Direct statements. Comparing privileges in marriage with sin outside of marriage. Prov 5: Both OT & NT can be used since nakedness is a human trait, not a law related trait.  1 Cor 10:6, “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”

Where has God drawn the line? ?

Adam and Eve’s Coverings: Gen 3:6-10, 21 Their choice left them shamefully naked. God’s choice “clothed” them properly, “a tunic, worn next to the skin… generally with sleeves, the tunic came to the knees, but seldom to the ankles.” Permanent design for all time. The “lines” of shoulders and knees in Genesis 3 is consistent with the rest of the Bible. Also consistent with the power of that part of the body which is the focus of sexual desires.

Whether literal or figurative, God’s idea of human nakedness is the same.

“Where is the line?” THIGHS  Levitical Priests Ex 28:42-43, 20:26  Isa 47:1-3, Babylon’s shame, "uncover the thigh… nakedness shall be uncovered… shame will be seen

“Where is the line?” HIPS (mid-section)  2 Sam 10:4, “cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.”  Isa 20:2-4, “naked… with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.”

“Where is the line?” BREASTS (chest, upper-body)  Prov 5:15-20, pleasure in marriage only  Ezek 23:3, 8, 10, 18, 21, “committed harlotry in their youth; their breasts were there embraced.”

“Where is the line?” CHEST (upper-body) HIPS (mid-section) THIGHS (upper legs)

Apparel and body language can cultivate shameful images. BODILY MOVEMENTS TIGHT FITTING SPECIAL OCCASIONS SHORT AND REVEALING Preserving the special treasure of marital nakedness IS THE ISSUE!

“But preacher…” “Not everybody lusts for me when I wear that.” “Some will lust regardless of what I wear.” “But after a while people get used to style” “But I have the right to dress any way I want.” “Less clothing is more comfortable when it is hot.” “I’ve gained weight and my clothes fit too tight.”

We either respect marriage or we respect fornication and adultery with our attire and conduct. THERE ARE NO OTHER CHOICES!

“Godliness” and “good works” are required for modest apparel and conduct. 1 Tim 2:9-10, "in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” Phil 1:9-10, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,”

Godly minds understand immodest apparel and conduct are the bait used in fornication.. 1 Cor 6:18, “Flee sexual immorality” 2 Tim 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts;” 1 Th 5:22, “Abstain from every form of evil.”

“Let My Eyes Help My Heart” Job 31:1-12, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why should I look upon a young woman.” “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,…that would be wickedness; yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.” Job 11:13-20, “If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, and would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; then surely you could lift up your face without spot; yes you could be steadfast and not fear;…but the eyes of the wicked will fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope—loss of life.”

Let My Eyes Help My Heart Prov 6:20-35, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life, to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a seductress. Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids. For by means of a harlot a man is reduced to a crust of bread; and an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.” Psa 101:3, I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. Psa 119:37, Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.

Let My Eyes Help My Heart Psa 123:1, Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Col 3:5-6, Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

Let My Eyes Help My Heart Turn your head. Walk away. Go home. Get out of the car. Get out of the room. Turn off the movie, TV show, music, internet. Don’t look at pornographic books, magazines, pictures, websites, etc. Get involved with friends and things that help you keep your mind pure. Pray and study God’s word.

Conclusion Use your godly character to attract others. "Do not let your adornment be merely outward-- arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Pet 3:3-4