LIFE SCRIPTS

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Matthew 5:27‭-‬28 KJV

‘You’ve heard it being said of old’. Christ used this figure of speech not coincidentally but deliberately. The law sought to guide people on the basics of doing right. Christ however sought people to have a change of heart. Only after their hearts were changed would they do right in the eyes of God. The law has a driving force. It is called the spirit of the law. This spirit of the law seeks to deal with the root problem. In this case, the law stated that ‘thou shalt not commit adultery’. The Spirit of the law however seeks to deal with the root of the problem… Lust. When I read this verses I can’t help but ask myself whether any one of us men can be rendered righteous before God. As men, we face challenges of lust on a daily basis. A man might resolve in his heart ‘not to look at any woman lustfully’ as Job of old stated. However those desires can melt once he steps outside. As men we behold women. But we drool over beautiful women. Christ had no problem with us seeing. We can’t walk blindly! However He states that what judges us before God is our intention of looking; ‘look at a woman TO LUST after her’. So I may stumble upon a scantily dressed woman. I can’t stop my eyes from looking at her. But I can control myself through the Holy Spirit not to lust after her. Lust is a conscious decision we take. It’s a step we deliberately take. And interestingly, it is not an ends in itself but a conduit that opens up cryptical arenas of sin; pornography, prostitution, masturbation, fornication, adultery etc. For this reason, lust must be nipped at the bud. This is a war we can only fight through the Spirit of God and accountability to others. In fact Christ states two greatest commandments; love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind; and love your neighbour as yourself. This is the key to defeating lust; deepen our relationship with God and fellowship with our brothers and sisters. Our relationship with others is key because lustful sins thrive in secrecy. They are some of the prime tools the wicked one uses to imprison many. However, there is hope. Hope to defeat lust. It is not by power, might but by His Spirit.