A Word Concerning Morality Series

A Word Concerning Morality

Matthew 5: 27-30

Today we come to a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, and a distinct biblical doctrine, that is often overlooked and even ignored. In this portion of His message Jesus dealt with the immorality of adultery and emphasized the importance of morality among believers. Many assume this is too “touchy” a subject to deal with from the pulpit or even publicly for that matter. Clearly Jesus did not hold that point of view as He preached against the sin of adultery and presented a challenge to abstain from engaging in such activity. I am convinced that much of the problem we face in society today is a direct result of silence in the pulpit. I will admit this is not an easy topic to address, but it needs to be preached so humanity will know what the Bible teaches and God expects.

This passage deals with an issue that brings great damage and destruction to countless relationships and homes each year. I have experienced the devastation adultery brings to the home. I was raised in a broken home, due in large part to an adulterous relationship that ruined the marriage of my parents. Surely, we need to be educated and warned regarding the potential for such activity and challenged to refrain from it at all costs.

As we move through these verses, I pray we will open our hearts and minds to the Word so we can receive the beneficial instruction God has preserved for us. He created man, performed the first marriage ceremony and set the bounds for such a union. May we determine to live according to the commands and desires of our Lord? I want to look at details of this passage as we consider: A Word Concerning Morality.

I. The Decree Expressed (27) – Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Don’t let the simplicity of this statement fool you; it reveals much that we need to consider. Notice:

A. The Sovereignty Revealed – Jesus speaks of an old saying that had been handed down for generations. The pure conscience of man, if nothing else, reveals that adultery is wrong, but Jesus emphasizes an even greater presence in regard to this command. He is rehearsing the 7th command God had gave Moses. Thou shalt not commit adultery. These commands, the Ten Commandments are recorded in God’s Word. The Jews knew God commanded that they refrain from such activity. God has said that we shall not commit such an act!

We live in a society that has pretty much abandoned the Word of God and its teaching. Most are encouraged to live as they please and in many aspects the laws of our land no longer reflect the law of God. Man may agree and even encourage such sinful activity, but God is very clear regarding what He expects and demands of us. A sovereign God has declared that we are to refrain from the act of adultery!

B. The Severity Revealed – This is not something God wished we would refrain from. It isn’t something He had rather we didn’t do. God is very clear and emphatic in His Word. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Jesus in no way reflects the idea that it is acceptable in some cases. According to God’s Word it is never acceptable, under any circumstances.

Just as it is in our society, many Jews were guilty of such sin. They knew what God’s Word said and yet they chose to ignore this fundamental teaching. The dictates and desires of society have never changed the relevance of God’s Word. It doesn’t matter who engages in adulterous behavior, God has commanded us to refrain from it. It may be glamorized in Hollywood, engaged in by a large percentage of the population, and ignored by society as a whole, but that will never change what God has said.

C. The Standard Revealed – Jesus said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time.” This was not some new doctrine Jesus sought to teach. It wasn’t something they had never heard or was foreign to them. It was accepted and embraced as the standard for purity in marital relationships, by those who sought to live according to God’s Word.

As I preach this message, I am not preaching anything new. We have all been taught of God’s requirements regarding marital purity. However, I fear many ignore the command for purity. You will have to agree that our conscience, if nothing else, would teach us that adultery is wrong. In our civilized western culture, marital purity is usually expected. That is definitely God’s standard and it is the standard accepted by many even today. Many who are guilty of adultery or engaging in it now would admit that it is wrong.