LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 5:28

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Guarding the Heart: Understanding Jesus’ Higher Standard in Matthew 5:28

Many believers today argue that New Testament Christians are entirely free from the constraints of Old Testament law. However, Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 5:17 that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In fact, throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Christ calls His followers to an even higher moral standard than the letter of the law required.

We see this explicitly in Matthew 5:28, where Jesus addresses the command against adultery. He transitions the focus from the external action to the internal condition of the heart, warning that “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

The Danger of the Lingering Look

Jesus is not speaking about a passing, involuntary thought or a sudden temptation. Being tempted is not a sin; even Christ was tempted. The transgression occurs when we allow ungodly thoughts to linger, taking root in our minds.

To intentionally entertain and feed immoral desires is to give them internal approval. Cultivating these hidden fantasies actively reshapes our character and prepares us to act them out when the opportunity arises. An ungodly sexual desire that is entertained, coddled, and not resisted is sin.

Cultivating Purity in a Culture of Exposure

To live out Christ’s standard, we must actively guard what we allow into our minds. Satan frequently uses entertainment to erode moral boundaries. As believers, we must maintain strict spiritual vigilance over the media we consume, including movies, television, and literature. Scripture consistently warns us to flee from sexual immorality and to abstain from fleshly lusts that wage war against the soul (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Peter 2:11).

A Shared Responsibility for Modesty

Maintaining sexual purity is a shared responsibility that requires effort from both men and women. God calls all believers to practice modesty in their words, actions, and attire.

Practicing Mutual Respect: Dressing in a manner that intentionally stirs up lustful desires or draws undue attention to the body creates a stumbling block for others. Scripture reminds us that behavior or dress that encourages another person to stumble is not pleasing to God (1 Timothy 2:9).
Guarding the Eye Gate: Men and women alike must actively guard their eyes and hearts, consciously choosing to turn away from situations, environments, or media that provoke lustful thoughts.

True purity begins in the hidden spaces of the mind. By submitting our thought lives to the lordship of Christ, we honor God, protect our neighbors, and fulfill the high calling of the gospel.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You recognizing that You see not just our outward actions, but the deepest intentions and thoughts of our hearts. Forgive us for the times we have allowed our minds to wander into areas that do not honor You. Cleanse us from secret faults and create in us clean hearts.

Holy Spirit, grant us the wisdom and strength to guard our eyes and minds from the temptations of this world. Help us to establish healthy boundaries in our entertainment, our dress, and our relationships. May our lives reflect Your holiness, and may our thoughts be pleasing in Your sight. We ask for the grace to walk in purity, holding fast to the high standard Christ set for us.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

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Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace

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LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28

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Believers who claim that Christ’s followers are no longer obligated to follow God’s Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17) must keep in mind that Jesus holds His New Testament followers - including us today - to an even higher standard.

Author

Margarita Crews

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