Overcoming lust

Read Matthew 5:27-30

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Just as “do not murder” has a greater application, so too does the next command: “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex.20:14). It’s not that sex is wrong – God invented it. But he intends it to be practised within the committed relationship of marriage in order to strengthen that lifelong commitment. So both marriage and sex are to be honoured by all and kept free of adultery (Heb.13:4).

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The enemy of that is lust, which lures us into the temptation to misuse sex. The commandment to “not covet your neighbour’s wife” (Ex.20:17) makes the same connection, sadly seen in the life of King David (2 Sam.11:2-5) – what he saw stirred up lust which led to both adultery and murder. This is why Jesus here emphasises that the full meaning of this particular command must extend to avoiding adultery in our hearts, not just in our bodies (28).

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That may require drastic action (29-30; Mt.18:8-9). He doesn’t’ meant that we should literally maim ourselves, for that wouldn’t in fact solve the problem. (I only need one eye in order to covet and lust.) Rather, we must be ruthless with some things we see (eyes) and do (hands) and places we go (feet) if these are likely to stir up lust within us.