Hearing His Voice Today
The Eye of Lust

Hear in Real Audio format
Or right click mount13.rm and select "save link as" to direct download the file.
You will then need to open it in Real Player.

Download free Real Player G2

---

Matthew 5:27-30 (English-KJV)

27. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

1. The scribes believed adultery was a sinful deed of the body . . . (v.27).
   1. What they taught . . . The scribes and the Pharisees narrowed the law of God to the actual act of adultery. A person caught in this sin would be stoned (John 8:4-5). Notice, true righteousness exceeds that of the scribes, and the scribes believed adultery was wrong! What about a person who sees nothing wrong with adultery?
   2. What they thought . . . God did not consider their thoughts sin! "Though I think about sin in my heart, and how to do it, God does not reckon it to me for sin" Rabbi Calah.
      Unknown to the Pharisees, the problem is the thoughts and desires of the heart.
2. The Saviour taught adultery is a selfish desire in the heart . . . (v.28).
   1. Looking with lust is the sin . . . desiring that which is not yours to possess.
      Sexual desire for your spouse is good, God-given and beautiful. Legalists miss this! Christian spouses ought to experience, enjoy and express sexual love more than anyone.
   2. Desiring the look is also sin . . .because it reveals the adulterous heart of the female.
      "Women are to dress modestly, with decency . . ." (I Timothy 2:9). Someone says, "But this is impossible! People by nature do these things!
   3. The Lord owns your life . . . it is better to do as He says.
      It is "profitable" to you to lose your most precious eye and hand as compared to losing your soul in hell. Jesus is speaking figuratively. Whatever causes you to "stumble" and violate the laws of God should be removed! What causes you to stumble? Your hand? Your eye? How about your heart! (Matthew 18:10-20).
3. The Spirit breaks the bondage of adultery by changing your heart . . . (Jeremiah 31:33).
   1. This cleansing is sometimes painful . . . hurting will often precede the healing. God sometimes cleanses by bringing into the open that which is done in secret.
   2. This cleansing is often gradual . . . "growth in grace" is a process. Sometimes different things are needed to guard the heart that God is changing. Accountability to a wife and friend for "confession" really is good for the soul. Affection planned and directed toward one's wife is also good. My simple rule: "Dialogue with my wife daily, date my wife weekly, depart with my wife quarterly."
   3. This cleansing is always effectual . . . "He who began a good work will carry it on."
      1. Do you consider the act of adultery a sin against God?
      2. Do you acknowledge that the problem is found within the heart?
      3. Do you realize that your only hope is for God to change your heart? "Will you cry out to Him today, 'Change my heart, Oh God'?"