What does "You shall not commit adultery" imply about purity in thought? The Command Stated “ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ” (Exodus 20:14) Jesus Reveals the Heart of the Command Matthew 5:27-28: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” • The command is not limited to physical betrayal; it forbids the inward desire that fuels outward sin. • Jesus affirms that purity begins long before any outward act—inside the thought-life. Why Inner Purity Matters • Proverbs 4:23 — “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” • James 1:14-15 — “Each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin.” • Sin is conceived in the mind; unchecked thoughts develop into actions. Purity as God’s Will 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you learn to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion …” • God’s will encompasses not only behavior but also desire. • Holiness and honor are incompatible with lustful pondering. Practical Implications for Daily Life • Entertainment choices: filter movies, music, and online content that stir lust. • Thought checkpoints: the moment a lustful image or fantasy appears, dismiss it and redirect to what is “pure” and “lovely” (Philippians 4:8). • Accountability: invite a trusted believer to ask specifically about thought-life. • Modesty in speech and dress: honor others by refusing to entice or objectify. Strategies for Cultivating Pure Thought • Scripture memorization: Psalm 119:11 — “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” • Prayerful dependence on the Spirit: Galatians 5:16 — “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Serving and focusing outward: channel mental energy into acts of love (Galatians 5:13). • Fasting from triggers: take deliberate breaks from social media or apps that regularly feed tempting images. • Renewed mind: Romans 12:2 — be transformed by mind renewal, replacing fantasies with truth. Hope for the Struggle • 1 John 1:9 — Confess and receive cleansing; God is faithful to forgive. • Hebrews 4:15-16 — Our High Priest sympathizes; approach the throne for timely help. • Titus 2:11-12 — Grace trains us “to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” Summary Takeaway The seventh commandment reaches beyond actions to thoughts. God calls for a heart so devoted to Him that even hidden desires honor marriage, cherish purity, and mirror Christ’s own holiness. |
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