{"id":48297,"date":"2023-12-21T10:31:49","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T07:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48297"},"modified":"2025-05-29T16:29:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T13:29:24","slug":"what-did-jesus-mean-by-saying-anyone-who-looks-at-a-woman-lustfully-has-already-committed-adultery-with-her-in-his-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2023\/12\/21\/what-did-jesus-mean-by-saying-anyone-who-looks-at-a-woman-lustfully-has-already-committed-adultery-with-her-in-his-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"What Did Jesus Mean by Saying \u201cAnyone Who Looks at a Woman Lustfully Has Already Committed Adultery With Her in His Heart\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matthew 5:27\u201328<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have heard that it was said, \u2018You shall not commit adultery.\u2019 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Matthew 5:27\u201328<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Understanding the Context<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is explaining the deeper meaning of the Law. The Pharisees taught that sin was primarily about external behavior<\/strong>, like physically committing adultery. But Jesus goes further\u2014He teaches that sin begins in the heart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Looking at someone with lustful intent<\/strong>\u2014not just noticing their beauty, but desiring them sexually in your mind and heart\u2014is already spiritual adultery. Why? Because God sees our intentions<\/strong> (1 Samuel 16:7), not just our actions.<\/p>\n

This teaching reveals God\u2019s standard of holiness. He desires not only external purity but also internal righteousness<\/strong>\u2014a clean heart and mind.<\/p>\n

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Is Desire Itself Sinful?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A natural question arises:<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes this mean any kind of sexual desire is sinful?\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The answer is no<\/strong>. Desire in itself is not evil\u2014it is God-given<\/strong>. God created us with the ability to feel hunger, thirst, and yes, sexual attraction. The key issue is how that desire is directed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Paul teaches that our bodies and desires are not inherently bad, but they must be brought under God\u2019s control:<\/p>\n

\u201cAll things are lawful for me,\u201d but not all things are helpful. \u201cAll things are lawful for me,\u201d but I will not be dominated by anything.<\/em>
\n\u2014 1 Corinthians 6:12<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cFor this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 1 Thessalonians 4:3\u20134<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In other words, God created sexual desire to be fulfilled only within the covenant of marriage<\/strong> (Hebrews 13:4). Outside of that context, desire can become distorted into lust<\/strong>, which is self-centered and dishonoring to both God and others.<\/p>\n

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How Does Lust Begin\u2014and How Can We Fight It?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Lust begins with small compromises: a lingering glance, a fantasy, watching something inappropriate, or engaging in flirty conversations. Over time, these habits shape our hearts and can lead to sin in action.<\/p>\n

James describes this spiritual progression clearly:<\/p>\n

\u201cBut each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 James 1:14\u201315<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So how do we resist?<\/p>\n

1. Guard Your Environment<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Avoid places, media, or conversations that stir up lust. Like Proverbs says:<\/p>\n

\u201cCan a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?\u201d<\/em>
\n\u2014 Proverbs 6:27<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This includes:<\/p>\n