LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28

(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.

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. 

1. In this case, Jesus not only condemns that act of adultery (sexual activity with anyone other than one’s own spouse) but also the unrestrained imagination and uncontrolled desire. The Lord is not referring to a passing thought that Satan may place in a person’s mind or an improper desire that arises suddenly. It is not a sin to be tempted (unless we foolishly and willingly put ourselves in a wrong situation). The problem comes when we allow ungodly thoughts to linger in our minds. We must not deceive ourselves; to imagine and think about immoral desires is the same as giving approval to them. These kinds of thoughts make it easier to act them out when tempting situations arise. The inner desire for ungodly sexual pleasure, thought upon a great deal and not resisted, is sin. 
2. Christians must be particularly careful to avoid situations that will stir up lustful or pleasure-seeking desires that are not consistent with God’s plans and timing for us. This includes exposing ourselves to images of immorality shown in movies or found in literature. We must maintain a spiritual balance in the things that we do for entertainment (1 Corinthians 6:15,18; Galatians 5:19, 21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:12; Hebrews 13:4; James 1:14; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:16) because Satan wants to cause our moral downfall.

In the area of maintaining sexual purity, both women and men have a responsibility. Both must practice modesty in words, actions and how they dress. For example, a Christian woman must be careful not to dress in a way that promotes lustful desires or attracts undue attention to her body, thus creating temptation for men. Dressing without modesty is certainly not pleasing to God (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:2-3). Doing something that encourages another person to lust is just as wrong as lingering on thoughts about sexual activity outside of marriage. Likewise, men must guard their hearts and minds by not exposing themselves to situations or media that may cause them to have lustful thoughts toward women.

• NIV Bible
• King James Bible
• www. biblegateway.com
• www.biblestudytools.com
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• Ballpoint Pens
• Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

1. ANGRY … RACA … FOOL / MATTHEW 5:22
2. UNLESS YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:20
3. GREAT IN THE KINGDOM / MATTHEW 5:19
4. THE LAW TO FULFILL / MATTHEW 5:17
5. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS / MATTHEW 5:14-16
6. PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:10
7. THE PEACEMAKERS / MATTHEW 5:9
8. THE PURE IN HEART / MATTHEW 5:8
9. THE MERCIFUL / MATTHEW 5:7
10. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS / MATTHEW 5:6
11. THE MEEK / MATTHEW 5:5
12. THOSE WHO MOURN / MATTHEW 5:4
13. BLESSED POOR IN SPIRIT / MATTHEW 5:3
14. SERMON ON THE MONT / MATTHEW 5-7
15. THE KINGDOM AND HEALING / MATTHEW 4:23
16. FISHERS OF MEN / MATTHEW 4:19
17. IT IS WRITTEN / MATTHEW 4:6
18. FASTING FORTY DAYS / MATTHEW 4:2
19. JESUS … TEMPTED / MATTHEW 4:1-11
20. THE TRINITY IN EXAMPLE / MATTHEW 3:17
21. SPIRIT … ON HIM / MATTHEW 3:16
22. JESUS … BAPTIZED / MATTHEW 3:13
23. WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT / MATTHEW 3:11
24. FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE / MATTHEW 3:8
25. PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES / MATTHEW 3:7
26. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – REPENT / MATTHEW 3:2
27. WARNED IN A DREAM / MATTHEW 2:22-23
28. ESCAPE TO EGYPT / MATTHEW 2:13
29. CHIEF PRIESTS AND TEACHERS OF THE LAW / MATTHEW 2:4
30. HEROD – MAGI / MATTHEW 2:1
31. NO UNION WITH HER UNTIL / MATTHEW 1:25
32. VIRGIN … GIVE BIRTH TO A SON / MATTHEW 1:23
33. JESUS / MATTHEW 1:21
34. MARY … JESUS / MATTHEW 1:16
35. CHRIST – SON OF DAVID / MATTHEW 1:1
36. GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST / MATTHEW 1:1-16
37. I AM WITH YOU / MATTHEW 28:20
38. KILL ALL THE BOYS / MATTHEW 2:16
39. FORGIVENESS OF SINS / MATTHEW 26:28
40. SATAN / MATTHEW 4:10
41. DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS / MATTHEW 25:41
42. MONEY / MATTHEW 6:24
43. GO … MAKE DISCIPLES … BAPTIZING / MATTHEW 28:19
44. SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13
45. YOU ARE WORTH MORE / MATTHEW 10:31
46. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

• Etsy
• Facebook
• Google
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• X
• YouTube

Summary

Article Name

LOOKS LUSTFULLY / MATTHEW 5:28

Description

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

Publisher Name

Guided By Grace

Publisher Logo