ADULTERY IS WRONG IN ANY CULTURE

September 28, 2016

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:27-28

 

Adultery is considered wrong in any culture.  Whether it’s another religion, whether it’s a Christian culture in its orientation, or whether it’s a pagan culture, adultery is considered wrong. It may even be a culture that allows for polygamy, a man having more than one wife, and yet, even then, it is very clear that anyone who engages in sexual relations with someone else’s spouse is clearly wrong. Yet, shockingly, Jesus tells us that it’s not just the physical act of adultery, but even having LUST in your heart for a person outside the marriage, that is wrong, too. He calls it adultery, for God judges our faithfulness by our thoughts and our motives, as well as our actions.

Understand what lust is and what it’s not. It is not appreciating the beauty or attractiveness of another person. Nothing in all God’s creation is more beautiful than a beautiful woman. But, men (and women), only God and you know when you’ve moved from appreciation of beauty to engaging in lustful thoughts. Don’t kid yourself. Sexual fantasies are not “just appreciating beauty.” Remember, there is no hiding from God.  He knows all.

So, men, we are born with a natural desire for lustful thoughts. It is man’s daily battle. Just realize that it truly is a daily battle of the mind, heart and hormones. It only helps us to stay away from what always defeats us – porn and erotic pictures of attractive women.  Lust will always result when we feast our eyes there.

Men, when you feel the urge to indulge yourself in lusting for another woman, ask God to help you. Focus on following Jesus faithfully. Quickly confess and say, “Oh no, Lord, I’m doing it again. Help me.” I’ve prayed that prayer thousands of times.

The more we practice resisting and focusing on something else, the less we tend to give in to the temptation of lust. It helps us feel victorious. Our lives and wives will be happier, and most of all, just maybe, God will be able to say, “You are trying to be My kind of man!”

Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Cedarcrest Church