How does Proverbs 6:25 connect with Jesus' teachings on lust in Matthew 5:28? The Wisdom of Solomon: Proverbs 6:25 “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.” • The command targets the inner life—“in your heart.” • The danger is ignited by the eyes but completed in desire. • Solomon warns that unchecked attraction is the doorway to adultery (see vv. 26-29). The Voice of the Messiah: Matthew 5:28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” • Jesus places the same spotlight on the heart. • He intensifies the standard, showing that sin is not limited to physical action; it begins with inward intent. • He affirms the continuity of Old Testament wisdom while revealing its fullest moral thrust. One Message, Two Testaments Both texts… • Address the same sin: lust that begins with the eyes and settles in the heart. • Stress inner purity over mere outward compliance. • Warn that desire left unchecked becomes destructive (cf. James 1:14-15). • Highlight personal responsibility; no one “falls” into adultery without first feeding desire. Heart-Level Purity: Key Parallels 1. Source of Sin • Proverbs: “in your heart” (6:25). • Jesus: “in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). • Both confirm Jeremiah 17:9—“The heart is deceitful above all things.” 2. Gateways • Eyes capture (Proverbs 6:25); looks that linger (Matthew 5:28). • Job 31:1 models covenant with the eyes: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze with desire upon a virgin?”. 3. Consequence • Proverbs points to financial, relational, and spiritual ruin (6:26-29). • Jesus points to eternal stakes, urging radical removal of stumbling blocks (5:29-30). Practical Outworking Today • Guard the eyes: curate media, flee visual triggers (2 Timothy 2:22). • Guard the mind: “Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). • Treasure Scripture: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). • Walk by the Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • Cultivate contentment and godly affection within marriage (Proverbs 5:18-19; Hebrews 13:4). Why the Connection Matters • Shows the unity of Scripture: Wisdom literature and Gospel teaching speak with one voice. • Reveals God’s consistent concern for the heart, not mere rule-keeping. • Calls believers to holistic holiness—thought, sight, and action aligned with God’s design. |
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