I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus contrasted “those of old” (who interpret God’s law according to their self-achievements) with the Spirit-filled life “But I say to you.” He brings up the issue of adultery, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
We stand face to face with the truth that “looking at a woman” is not the problem. We live with a continual awareness of sexuality. Sexuality is in every facet of our lives, present in every relationship, and interwoven in all we are. As the passage unfolds, the problem is PRIORITY. The priority of life becomes our sexuality. Although sexuality may contribute to every area of living, it was not to dominate us. The male’s expressions of masculinity are seen in his approach to circumstances, the way he walks, and in his relationships to the females around him. However, when masculinity dictates the man’s life, he has violated the standard of the New Covenant. He may not have broken the commandment of “those of old,” but he has violated the intent of the New Covenant, which is intimacy with Jesus!
“Looking” at a woman lustfully does not cause a man to commit adultery in his thoughts. “Looking” does not control the thoughts; however, thoughts control the “looking” but not the heart. The condition of the heart dictates the thoughts, which dictates to the “looking.” When lust reaches the “looking,” it already exists in the heart, which is the dwelling place of man’s nature. The issue then is not sexuality, rather, it is the self-centered nature of our heart that dominates sexuality and focuses on adultery. The solution is found again in the truth that we are helpless in and of ourselves (Matthew 5:3) and must experience the heart alteration that Christ brings through His Spirit so that He changes our perspective; the change in our perspective changes our thoughts; the change in our thoughts changes our “looking.” Jesus is our only chance! I am a Jesus pusher!!!