Today, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of Adultery. What a heavy subject. But Jesus is a man for the hour and He knows what is in man’ hearts. This is a topic which rears its head in every marriage, occurring to every partner at least once. It is a very real topic which needs to be looked at from time to time. A very serious topic. It can sneak into even the best of marriages if no one is watching.
Jesus first reminds the crowd of one of the Ten Commandments – Thou shalt not commit adultery (Ex 20:14). Everyone there would have known that rule. It was part of The Law. Moses had received it on Mt. Sanai. Now, Jesus expands on that idea a little bit. He says, “If you lust after her, you’ve already done it in your heart.” And you know what?? That little, tiny piece of place way down deep inside there where no one can see… ??? …has already opened the door!
Granted. I did not let him in. But I let him closer. And I let him think he had a chance. And, not to worry… he will definitely try harder next time. I did not close the door all the way.
Is this what your resistance sounds like? A game (Prov 6:32)?? In our marriages, we must be vigilant that we not even give the idea that we might. There is always someone ready and willing to come along and create havoc. Jesus says that even just lusting after someone is the same as doing it in your heart.
Read Prov 6:23-29. This scripture is a warning from King Solomon against the dangers of sleeping with another man’s wife. It is a strong warning… involving fire and hot coals. Let’s think, for a minute, about another man and his wife. When a man and a woman come together in marriage, a sexual union, this is an incredibly strong bond. The Bible says they are ‘become one flesh’. To get between two people in that kind of relationship can be risky at best. Let’s see if we can understand better this relationship.
We all know the story… it was not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18-25) etc. etc. etc. I want you to look specifically at verses 24 -25. This story of marriage is WHY man leaves his mother and father and is united to his wife. It is FOR this sexual relationship. It is unlike any other relationship he has with anyone else, to say the least. And they become one flesh (functioning as one person) and they were naked and not ashamed. This is marriage and sex. God has created it. It is for the enjoyment of the married couple.
Let’s read Eph 5:21-33. I like to call this the sex section of the Bible. It is very direct and straight to the point. It is talking, here, about a symbolic relationship within our marriages which represents Christ and His church. In our marriages, the man represents Christ (bridegroom) and the woman represents the church (bride). Christ and His bride are united together in an extremely beautiful and unique relationship shared absolutely by no others. It is a picture of pure love, Christ giving Himself up for His church. Every marriage on earth is a beautiful picture of Christ and His church until something comes along to change that picture (Heb 13:4). Extra-marital affairs, pre-marital affairs, group sex, homosexuality, promiscuity, swinging…. and the picture is distorted. And it’s all just good fun until it isn’t.
Do not be surprised that God would make something so beautiful and Satan would try to destroy it and hollow it. If he can pollute it sexually, he will. If he can steal the joy from it, he will. But keep in mind, God has given you something marvelous. And He has given you no boundaries… whatever you can think up to do in that bed, He says, “Enjoy!” But Satan and his friends will try to convince us there is something more waiting for us… and just a little bit more exciting.
Jesus goes on to say, in verses 29-30, that if your right eye or your right arm is causing you to lust, you would be better off to remove them from your body and cast them away from you. It is better to lose part of your own body than to end up in hell. Jesus wanted the crowd to see adultery as a serious, serious sin. Do you take it seriously enough? Are you taking enough measures to see that it doesn’t happen in your life?
Read Titus 2:11-14.
Responding to God: Praise God for His love. Thank Him for His great gifts. Thank Him for your family. Pray for protection around your family and your marriage that Satan would be hindered from their midst. Pray for wisdom in your marriage and your family to be the adult you should be. Pray for marriages around you which might be struggling. Ask God to identify to you anyone who may be a threat to your family or marriage and to give you wisdom in dealing with the situation.
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