7. The Command “Do Not Lust”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30, NIV).
The sin of the heart is the most deceitful. It lies hidden in personal darkness building momentum – unless it is captured by the power of the Holy Spirit and confessed openly to Christ. King David’s lust for Bathsheba serves as a great example. It developed into deceit, covetousness, adultery, and eventually murder. Not to mention, an innocent child dying as the result of his lust-driven actions.
We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5, NLT)