Lust and Adultery

The Sermon on the Mount would certainly be one of the most familiar teachings of Jesus. It is often referred to in various literary writings and political speeches, and those who embrace religions other than Christianity frequently quote it. I would even assume that that when an unbeliever decides to read his Bible, he probably turns to Matthew's Gospel, and before too long he is reading the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount opens with the “beatitudes” which give the key to understanding the sermon. These beatitudes describe the very likeness of Jesus Christ Himself as the necessary qualities required of all who are members of the Kingdom of God. These qualities do not cause salvation, but are the evidence of salvation once accomplished.
We are again examining the words of Jesus when he says, “You have heard it said… but I say unto you...” We previously examined anger and murder, and how murder has it root in anger within the heart. Tonight we consider lust and adultery, and how adultery (and other included illicit sexual behaviors) has its roots in lust within the heart, aided by the undisciplined gaze and intent of the eye. Controlling the instincts of the flesh is impossible in human strength. Controlling the resulting behavior demands biblical solutions and divine enablement.
A course notebook for this series is available at a nominal charge, on request.