In the same way that murder was used in the last study, adultery is also explained. We are being taught that it is the intent of your heart that is the sin.
Matthew 5:27-30
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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.30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, 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 go into hell.
So does Jesus mean for us to actually gouge our eye out for looking at another with lust? Are we really to cut off our hands that follow the heart and sin? I believe Jesus is pointing to the obvious product of sin. The thought or action are one and the same. He is letting us know that we are in sin, and the action is the result. He is not speaking of only the symptom, he is speaking to the cause and teaching us how to identify it.
Then he, and only Jesus, can wash away our sin. Reliance on the Son of God is our way through. We need him.
Jesus Saves!
Amen
DK
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