Lustful Eyes
Matthew 5:27-30(NLT) “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Introduction: Calvary salute to all. Thank God for Holy Spirit who abides with us and teaching us. Today, we are looking at one of the teachings by Jesus Christ under Beatitudes as given to disciples from the sermon on the Mount.
My prayer is that we are doers of His words so that our attitudes will depict that of Christ.
From our text; the Author and Finisher of our faith says; “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Note that Jesus the Author spoke with authority and none else can question what He says.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
You cannot argue that you did not have sexual contact physically but only in your heart, therefore you are not an adulterer.
Lust is a feeling of strong sexual desire for someone. And eyes are the part of the body with which you see.
I wish I can meet and ask anyone born blind if he/she has sexual desires in the heart since he/she hasn’t seen before.
I want to ask readers on this blog, especially man like me, who is not blind, if he has never committed fornication or adultery in the heart? I want your comment and expect you to say something. Your answer can be; before, after or even when you are born-again.
If you have never committed fornication or adultery in your heart through your eyes, I am interested in knowing how you made it so as to add to knowledge.
I know that sincere answer will make Christians to cling and look unto to the Author and Finisher of our faith Who only can save.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Satan led Jesus during His earthly ministry to see beautiful things of these world including women.
Matthew 4:1,8-9 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Now that you are on top in your chosen career, seeing beautiful women around you and at your beck and call, how do you do as a disciple?
In my Christian journey so far; that is before, during and after my commitment to Christ, I realise that there is need to constantly look unto Jesus as a believer and make covenant with the eyes on what to see in these last days of abounding iniquity.
It is not by power, nor by might but by close fellowship with the Holy Spirit sent by the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Once our focus is shifted from Jesus Christ especially in these last days, we begin to sink in the sea of life. Hear what Job said in Job 31:1(NLT)
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.
What occupies the world is actually Lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes which bring pride .
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:16 (NLT) For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Where are your eyes focusing? What you constantly see determines the state of your heart. Lustful eyes possess Lustful heart.
Let us remind ourselves the beginning of the travails of David when he became king of Israel.
2 Samuel 11:1-4 (NLT) In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home.
Now, as a Christian, a king and priest, and soldier of Christ who is supposed to be at the battle front, are you in your pleasurable abode to behold beautiful things of this world?
Do you put on the whole armour of God in readiness for life spiritual battles?
Ephesians 6:12-13 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
A Christian soldier who always prepares for war will not look at the eyelids of women which is now being fixed to catch the attention of men and many men of God have fallen.
Proverbs 6:25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Do you know if you don’t discipline your eyes to focus on things of eternal values, it can bring death?
Looking with lustful eyes engineers sinful desires with temptations which draw us away from God and results in death.
James 1: 14-15 (NLT) Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
Adultery starts from the eyes with plans to commit it when opportunity arises in the secret.
Job 24:15(NLT) The adulterer waits for the twilight, for he says, ‘No one will see me then.’ He masks his face so no one will know him.
Christians are warned against the judgment of God when it comes to adultery.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
And since adultery and fornication starts from what we allow our eyes to behold, let us walk or fellowship constantly with the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
God regards anyone who cannot control his/her body as pagan no matter his/her title or roles in the church.
1 Thessalonians 4:4-5(NLT) Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honour— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.
The purpose of our calling is to live a holy life while in this world of sin.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Conclusion: Finally brethren, when Jesus Christ said; “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.”
He is saying that we should cut-off whatever and whosoever will get us into hell no matter how pleasurable it is as we are just pilgrims in this world.
1 Peter 2:11(NLT) Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
Lust is prevalent among youth. I therefore appeal to our youth whether married or yet to marry to flee youthful lust and dissociate from evil companions but associate with those who love God and fellowship with God.
2 Timothy 2:22(NLT) Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
✋ Maranatha
