Lust and Adultery Matthew 5: 27-30

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30 27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old,  ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 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. 30 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.

I. The Power of Imagination Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30 I. The Power of Imagination In The Workplace and Daily Life II. Imagination Can Have A Dark Side Satan Perverts What Is Good ! Jimmy Carter, 1976: " I try not to commit a deliberate sin. I recognize that I'm going to do it anyhow, because I'm human and I'm tempted. And Christ set some almost impossible standards for us. Christ said, 'I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.‘ I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do--and I have done it--and God forgives me for it."

I. The Power of Imagination Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30 I. The Power of Imagination In The Workplace and Daily life II. Imagination Can Have A Dark Side III. The SoM: Christ’s Position Challenging and Straight Forward IV. Christ is Dealing With The Internal, Not External Adultery Is MORE Than The Physical Act V. Lust Insatiable Desire Sinful Craving Eyes Awaken Desire

Preventing Lust Is A Difficult Challenge Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30 I. Is Sexual Desire Lust ? NO! It Is God-Given For Pleasure and Procreation B. Distinction God’s Plan of Sexual Desire is Healthy Lust Is Rooted in Human Depravity It Is Self-Centered, Focused on My Gratification Marriage Bed Is To Be Undefiled Lust Perverts Marriage Preventing Lust Is A Difficult Challenge

Inward Thoughts Produce Outward Acts Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30 II. Is Lust Adultery ? Yes! Both Physical And Mental Is Sin Sinful Even If Only In The Mind B. Elaboration Great Punishment for Immorality OT: Capital Offense By Stoning NT: Disqualification For Spiritual Leadership If We Deal With The Mind, We Don’t Have To Deal With Physical Sin The Pharisees Could Not Get Past The Outward, External Righteousness Inward Thoughts Produce Outward Acts

Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30 III. Why Is Lust Wrong ? It Denies The Law of Love ! God Created The Whole Person Lust Focuses Only On The Physical Lust Will NOT Foster Love ! B. It Devours a Person ! Demands Increasing Satisfaction Traps a Person, Seems Like No Way Out Insatiable Thirst Causes Death Lust is Destructive: Body, Soul, Spirit Look Upon The Opposite Sex As In The Image of God

IV. What Can We Do About Lust ? Lust and Adultery -- Matthew 5: 27-30 IV. What Can We Do About Lust ? Take RADICAL Steps Note The Words Of Jesus Christ Connection: Eye – Heart Adultery Treat Your Body As A Blind Amputee B. Take Responsibility ! No “Victim” Mentality Take It To Christ … And Leave it ! C. Take Notice of Early Warnings Make A Way of Escape 1 Cor. 10:13 It Always Begins With A Choice D. Take Time To Feed on God’s WORD It Is TRUTH – Opposite of The World E. Take Time To Renew Higher Law Lust Destroys Intimacy – Not Close to God or Spouse

We Must Decide Who We Will Live For: Closing Thoughts I. Walking With The Lord Lust Hinders Spiritual Growth Lust is Prohibited So We Can Grow in Christ II. Loving The Lord Love Him Too Much To Lust For Another Cultivate Intimacy With God We Must Decide Who We Will Live For: God or The World !