The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 5 Part 13 Pornography Incites Lust And Leads To Sexual Sin

We are studying through the gospel of Matthew and are in chapters five through seven. 

This well known section contains Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount."

Matthew's gospel presents Jesus Christ as Israel's Messiah and King.

Thus, Matthew's record of Jesus' genealogy contains His racial connection to Abraham and His royal connection to King David. 

This beautiful extended discourse of Jesus represents how He will rule and reign with righteousness.

Jesus upheld the law of Moses as God's unchanging, absolute moral standard.

Jesus then corrected false interpretations that scribes and Pharisees taught to the people. 

In their view, righteousness was achieved by focusing on the externals, while never addressing corruption within their hearts.

Those who appeared outwardly religious and did the external things they commanded them to do, were regarded as a person justified before God.

Jesus strongly rebuked this faulty thinking because the Bible's testimony is clear: "The just shall live by faith."

Judaism added works as a means of obtaining favor with God but Jesus exposed and repeatedly rebuked them for it. 

They appeared outwardly religious but inwardly they were in Jesus' words "full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (See Matthew 23:28).

Jesus gave the correct interpretation of the 6th commandment which is a prohibition against committing murder.

Then Jesus gave the correct application of that commandment to our heart.

He followed the same process for the 7th commandment which deals with sexual sins.

The sin of adultery springs from lust driven thoughts in the heart.

Matthew 5:27-30  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28)  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29)  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30)  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 

The word "adultery" means having unlawful sexual intercourse with another man's wife.

The scribes and Pharisees maintained that if you refrained from physically committing the act of adultery, then you were right with God.

Exodus 20:14  Thou shalt not commit adultery. 

Here is the command that God gave to Moses at Mount Sinai.

It is easy to understand and straightforward in its application.

God forbids committing this sexual sin and we should obey His command.

Remember that Paul told us that the law is holy, good and just and that it is spiritual in nature.

This means that not only is the physical act of sexual sin prohibited, but there is a spiritual application of this truth to men's hearts.

Jesus gave us the spiritual application of this commandment.

Matthew 5:27-28  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 ) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Jesus explained the seventh commandment much like He explained the sixth commandment. 

Scribes and Pharisees had explained this commandment as extending only to the external act. 

They viewed impure lust driven thoughts as if they were not forbidden by God's law.

Thus, scribes and Pharisees taught that this law is strictly limited to the physical act of adultery. 

In addition, their interpretation did not forbid what is called "fornication" which is having an illicit sexual relationship while unmarried.

Jesus made sure the people understood that this commandment was not restricted to the physical acts of adultery or fornication. 

Rather, this command is aimed at lust and corruption rooted in our heart that leads our eyes that see things they should not see. 

Jesus declared that those who look on a woman with lust, have already committed adultery in their heart. 

Preaching and teaching this is truth that is greatly needed in our churches and communities today.

Anonymous pornography on the internet leads men and women into violating God's commandment against adultery.

Some professing Christians think it is okay to view pornography since it is a two dimensional image and no physical act is committed.

This is the same view as the Pharisees and scribes held and they were condemned by Jesus for it.

Pornography is an epidemic within the church of Jesus Christ.

One survey found that many men and women who professed faith in Christ, had viewed pornography online.

Barna Research Group specializes in tracking trends in the Church.

The studies found that 49% of Pastors struggle with pornography, including 57% of Pastors younger than age 45 and 46% of Pastors over the age of 45!

Pure Desire Ministries found that significant numbers of professing Christians struggled with pornography, both men and women.

Jesus' teaching about the seventh commandment could not be more important or more relevant today.

Although viewing pornography is not physically committing adultery, it is a major issue in our hearts.

Looking with lust leads to committing adultery in our heart. 

Matthew 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

In this context, the word "looketh" means turning the thoughts or directing the mind to look at and carefully examine a woman's or a man's body.

The word "lust" means having a flaming passion for something that God forbids.

Nakedness and intimacy are reserved by God for the marriage relationship. 

Genesis 2:24-25  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25)  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 

Seeing another's nakedness is something God reserved for the marriage covenant of one man with one woman for life.

A husband and wife may enjoy each other within the intimacy of marriage.

Thus, scripture teaches that the marriage bed is undefiled, for the husband and wife can enjoy their one flesh relationship.

However, as the writer of Hebrews points out, God will judge illicit sexual relationships, including pornography.

God's holy law forbids uncovering someone else's nakedness. 

Leviticus 18:5-20  Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. 6)  None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. 7)  The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 8)  The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness. 9)  The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. 10)  The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness. 11)  The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 12)  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. 13)  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman. 14)  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. 15)  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 16)  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness. 17)  Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. 18)  Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime. 19)  Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness. 20)  Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her. 

God prohibits uncovering the nakedness of another person 23 times in this section.

The idea of uncovering someone else's nakedness certainly includes viewing pornography, so we see why this teaching is much needed today.

Notice verse 20, where God connects uncovering the nakedness of someone else with the action of committing adultery.

What David saw from his roof led him to commit adultery.

2 Samuel 11:1-4  And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. 2)  And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3)  And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4)  And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. 

King David was led to commit adultery with Bathsheba.

Instead of leading in battle as Israel's king, David tarried at Jerusalem and wandered up on the palace roof.

Then David saw Bathsheba bathing on the roof of her home and his inflamed lust led him to command that she be brought to him.

King David's eyes saw another man's naked wife and he committed the physical act of adultery.

Confess our sins to God who will cleanse us and forgive us. 

Psalm 51:1-4  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2)  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3)  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4)  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 

This entire Psalm is David's confession to Jehovah about his sin with Bathsheba.

King David gave us a pattern of what to do when we have sinned, specifically in the sin of pornography or adultery, as David did both. 

We are to confess our sin and cry out for God's forgiveness and cleansing.

Only God can wash our sins away. Only God can forgive us and cleanse our heart and this is what David desired.

Therefore, as Jesus taught truth about the seventh commandment, He would have us to follow David's example to confess if we have committed this sin.

Guard what our eyes see so that we are not filled with lust to sin.

Matthew 5:29-30  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30)  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 

The Hebrews represented emotions of our heart and mind by comparing them with parts of the body (See for examples Romans 7:23; Romans 6:13). 

Thus, bowels of mercy denote compassion; the heart. 

An "evil eye" symbolizes envy or an evil passion (See Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 23:6; Matthew 20:15; 28:22; Mark 7:21-22). 

Thus, Jesus metaphorically said to pluck out our eye if what we see will cause us to sin.

This is a strong figure of speech to drive home His point. 

The words "offend thee" means a stumbling-block, or a stone placed in the way to cause someone to fall. 

This word also means a net set up to catch a bird. 

Therefore this word signifies anything that makes us fall into sin or trips us up in our walk with Christ. 

What Jesus is getting at is that we must guard what we see so that lust does not spring up in our hearts and cause us to fall into sin. 

Jesus wants us to filter what we think about or see through the lens of scripture. 

The Word of God is a map from God to guide our steps through this life.

Thus, Jesus points people to the truth of His Word so that we might live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

We must set our affections on things of God and daily mortify our members.

Colossians 3:1-5  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3)  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5)  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

Psalm 101:3  I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Here is the key concerning this part of Jesus' teaching.

With regard to the plague of pornography, we must set no wicked things before our eyes.

Thus, our Lord's teaching is vital, necessary and we must obey what Jesus said.

Let us pray for one another that the Lord help us live according to these truths.

Let us pray earnestly for our Pastors and church leaders that the Lord will place a hedge of protection about them as they use their technology resources.

Let us unite to pray against Satan's most powerful way to snare Christians with sexual sin. 

Let us pray against anonymous pornography and ask God to restore purity and wholesomeness to the internet.

Bob