Disciples Practice Healthy Relationships by Taking the Commandment about Adultery Seriously
Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
~ Jesus
With such a complex subject, it may help to set down a few biblical truths. Sexual desire itself is a creation of God – a gift even. Sex too is a gift – to be used inside the bounds of marriage. For a man to be drawn to a woman, to find her attractive – and vice-versa – is not ungodly. It is one way we are drawn to mates. How we handle such sexual desires and temptations that come along with them are key.
Compare this to last week’s theme on anger, which Jesus addresses in His sermon immediately prior to sex. Anger in itself is not bad, though it often ends badly in the hands of people not controlled by the Spirit of God at the time:
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
- In your anger do not sin (Ephesians 4:26) could translate to:
- In your sexual desire do not sin.
Now reconsider James 1:20’s caveat on anger in light of sexuality:
James 1:19-20
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
- The phrase “Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” could translate to
- Humanity’s unfettered form of sexual desire does
not produce the righteousness that God desires.
A heart set right with God goes a long way toward handling the temptations to sin, whether in the area of anger or sexuality. A heart not set right with God is ripe for trouble of all sorts.
Prayer For the Week
Lord Jesus Christ, You have bought and brought forgiveness of all my sins by Your sacrifice. Thank You. By Your Holy Spirit, set my heart right that I may not sin against God in any way, but would instead honor Him, including with my sexuality. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Psalm 119:153-160 20th letter: Resh (ר)
- Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law. - Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise. - Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees. - Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws. - Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes. - I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word. - See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love. - All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
Read the verses of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Pondering Point
The Resh section of Psalm 119 is part of the Jeremy Camp song Revive Me as it draws from King James language. You can listen to the song on Youtube.