Jesus was as pure as you can be. But he was certainly aware of the problem of sexual sin. His family tree was noted for it - and it can be assumed that the stories surrounding his birth had been turned into really juicy gossip!
And so when he says, "you have heard it said: You shall not commit adultery," one of the ten commandments, you can be sure that it is going to get serious. We have seen that "murder" can be boiled down to anger. Well, lust is behind all adultery. Jesus does not hold back.
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.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Adultery is a heart attitude. One must be unfaithful in mind before they can be swept away into an adulterous relationship. Lot was made to be drunk before his daughters could seduce him. But in their hearts they had a lustful plan. Judah, a widower, sought the comfort of a prostitute (he assumed) when he had lost his wife. David looked upon a fair maiden and planned his unfaithfulness well.
This tendency, especially among men, to have wondering eyes, should be treated as a social "cancer" which needs to be surgically removed in order for the victom to survive. A spiritual adultery had plagued Israel for centuries. How much different that is than in the public media of our day. "Sex sells." In fact, a lot of leg and a little cleavage has been used to sell everything from razors to cars.
And it does not help that women feed this tendency with their attire and flirtous behavior. A "little fun" can sometimes split longstanding relationships. And "women's lib" has co-opted the politics along with the "need" for recognition. Divorce has become way too easy. And Jesus insists that divorce is indefensible - unless there is unfaithfulness.
It all boils down to trust. Our mates are "one flesh" with us. We should have no secrets between each other. Jesus has that relationship with each believer. How can we keep anything from Him?
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