I am a Jesus pusher!!! We might tend to think the “focus” of sexuality is proper because it is deeply ingrained in every aspect of our lives. What is wrong with that? No one ever suggested that our sexuality be removed or eliminated. The problem seems to be the “force” of our sexuality, and Jesus highlights this in our passage, “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). The Greek word “blepo,” translated “looks,” is a participle, a verb serving as an adjective modifying the subject of the main verb, “has committed adultery.” “Whoever” is a translation of the Greek word “pas ho” meaning “all the,” now modified by “looks.” The subject becomes “all the looking ones.” “Looks” is also in the present tense, and refers to the continuous process of looking. The problem of concern is not the incidental or involuntary glance but the intentional and repeated gazing, which is the “force” present in the “looking.” The Greek word “epithumsai,” translated “lust,” indicates a goal or an act that follows the “looking.” “Lust” describes the force of the “looking” in terms of purpose. Sexuality becomes the dominating force in life dictating the purpose of “looking.”
James uses strong language to describe the force of lust. He said that it was never God’s purpose or in His nature to tempt man to sin (James 1:13). Temptation does not come from God but comes from deep in the nature of man. The force of man’s sinful nature drives the desires and perspectives of man. James uses the Greek word “exelko,” translated “to drag away.” “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14). The sinful nature of man forcibly controls man’s looking and drags him away in the act of lust. The sinful nature permeates the perspective that controls physical action. James says this in the terms of sexuality when He writes, “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:15). This is not a new message; it is “self.” Self-centeredness focuses on self and is energized by self to satisfy its selfish desires. Sexuality dominated by self (the sinful nature) drives us to use sexuality for self-benefit and self-pleasure. This nature destroys God’s purpose and intent of sexuality. I must die to my selfish, self-centered, self-focus. I am a Jesus pusher!!!