Adultery

[Matthew 5:27-30]


This is the second of Jesus's teachings where we see Him take one requirement, one law, and addresses the heart of the matter. For Jesus, formality was nothing: "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7). He sets out to prove that there is a reason behind all the things we commonly acknowledge as sin. Many Christians fear condemning sin, and to some extent they are correct. It is not our place to condemn, for that is a task left for our perfect Creator. It is, however, our responsibility to correct one another in accordance to the Word of God. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ..." (2 Timothy 3:16) It is for this reason we are addressing this very sensitive subject.

What is adultery? In essence, it is infidelity (having a relationship with another as you have vowed to have with one person), or, as I put it, the "lending" principle: you are lending a relationship with one person to fulfill each other's wishes, without a specified commitment. The next question is why is it wrong? The simplest answer I can give is because Jesus said so. Now that should technically suffice, and if it doesn't I have every right to answer, "Take it up with Him." But we will indulge a bit today.

Everything that Jesus reveals to us in this sermon is for our benefit. He is imparting heavenly knowledge in that He is showing us the literal standards of heaven, the standards that He alone meets without exception, and the standards that we are required to meet by way of His heavenly guidance (i.e. by His grace). So how does this explicit claim to not lust (to the point of dismemberment!) possibly benefit us? Is it not our instinct to give in? Thus, is Jesus requiring something that supersedes our natural abilities? Yes! Exactly. He is asking for the supernatural. After all, the supernatural is that which the world is searching. What an excellent example to serve as a testimony!

I digress. What is the benefit to us specifically? Sanity for one thing. Ms. Spears said it well - that boy can "drive you crazy." C. S. Lewis addresses the topic of adultery, and the perversion of our society, a perversion that has been around for centuries and was common in many pagan practices. (Unfortunately, some of these practices still exist today, but in today's pc/pr world we are not made aware of it). He tells us to imagine a world in which, for entertainment, people gather around a silver platter. And slowly, they lift up the lid, displaying a perfect oven-roasted chicken, before quickly shutting it again. The people would hoot and holler, and the entertainer begins showing a little leg here, a chicken breast there, maybe even a wing. The people would go crazy. Now, if we stumbled upon this crazy world, wouldn't you say something had seriously gone wrong with their sense of appetite? If they stumbled upon ours, wouldn't you say something has gone wrong with our sexual appetites? We are no longer satisfied with what God intended for us - a man for every woman and vice versa. We fear the commitment but desire the relationship. We abdicate the responsibility and thirst for the rewards.

In Proverbs, the Bible instructs a young man: "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?" (Proverbs 5:18-20). That is what the Bible teaches us. Do not be gluttonous, but be satisfied. This ministry was founded on the principle of developing women who follow after God, committing wholly to Him. Your side lives, your side relationships should not compromise that. There are no side lives. The next verse of that chapter says, "The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord."

This devotional is not to put anyone on blast. If you are feeling any form of shame, then go ahead a rebuke it. But if you feel guilt because you know that you are not living a life in accordance to God's commands, I strongly suggest getting in touch with an anointed ordained minister for counseling. And if you are too scared, even a strong Christian friend can help. She can pray with you to help you overcome, and to help you decide what steps should be taken. God is calling out to someone. Answer His call - the call to holiness.

God bless,

Alisha