Title: The Place of Adultery in our Society
Theme: Help us to understand how to avoid adultery
Text: Matthew 5:27-30
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 AV)
This is one commandment that was thoroughly condemned. Although it is taken lightly today by our society it was not in the Biblical times. It was so abominable that it was punishable by death in the Old Testament.
And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10 AV)
We see this practice in the New Testament when the Pharisees brought to Jesus the lady caught in adultery.
John 8:1-11 read John 8:3-11
They had every right to stone her according to the law. But they wanted to test Jesus. Jesus startled them. He did not give the same answer. Although the law said that she should be put to death he turned the charge to them. Who among them could cast the first stone? Who could condemn her to die? Not one of them. In the truest of sense only Jesus could pass the sentence but he did not. Why?
1) He knew their heart and their intentions
2) He had compassion
When Jesus came with him he brought a new way. A better way. A way that was not based on a mans works or will but totally on God. He revitalized the relationship between God and man. He fulfilled all that had been looked forward to.
But he had to show the Pharisees, the scribes, the disciples and all who listened that they could not do it.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Jesus extended the definition of adultery. Oh anyone could say I have not committed the physical act of adultery with another woman. Especially in the Biblical times who would considering the consequences. Although I have heard of some people meeting these same consequences in todays society. But Jesus said there is more.
He said again that sin is not just physical but it is also spiritual. Sin is not just external but it is internal just as our relationship with God is not just external but it is internal.
We worship God "in spirit and in truth".
Now if one looks on a woman and lusts after her he has just as much committed adultery.
So we must ask ourselves what is adultery.
Stamps says, "What Christ condemns is not the sudden thought which Satan may place in a person's mind or an improper desire that arises suddenly. Rather it is a wrong thought or desire that is accompanied with the approval of our will. It is having an immoral desire which would seek fulfillment if the opportunity arose"
It is not just having a thought that pertains to a person. Many times we are tempted with ideas and thoughts. This is not a sin. But it is the contemplation. The fantasizing about. I would if I could idea. If only this then that. I have heard this in all areas. If I thought I would get away with it I would steal. If I wouldn't get caught.
That is the sin. Lust covers many areas of ones life. Remember I give you the definition of lust a while back when we were looking at the book of James. Dr. Jowett defined lust as "anything that steams the windows of the soul, " thus blinding our vision.
And the result is first of all sin, which leads to death. James tells us that it also can lead people to not getting prayers answers as the ask amiss or with wrong motivations.
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? {fightings: or, brawlings} {lusts: or, pleasures} Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. {lusts: or, pleasures} Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:1-4 AV)
Next Jesus gives us the remedy to lust
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. 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.
In other words we are to find out what is causing us to lust and cast it away. Jesus here is using the illustration of the eye or the hand. If the eye causes one to lust by looking the pluck it out. Now be careful and don't be too hasty because once you pluck out one eye then you have another. Or one hand then you have another. So Jesus is giving us a wonderful idea. A symbol of what to do.
So what do we do.
I. Find out what it is that is causing it and get rid of it.
A. Movies
One of the greatest means of immortally watching is TV and movies. And I am not just talking about nighttime late TV. Everyday from 12:00 till 4:00 there are many shows that have adultery and lust on it. They are called soap operas. Oh they don't show much flesh but do let our mind wander.
This happens on many of the TV programs and even in the movies. Adultery is ramped and to children the message is it is normal.
B. literature
Advertisements and magazines. If you look at many of the magazines you will find some reference to sex. Why? it sells
II. Learn to be content with what God has given you.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:11-13 AV)
III. Let us not allow ourselves to be put in provocative situations
IV. Be carful about how one dresses
A. modesty not provocative
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; {broided: or, plaited} (1 Timothy 2:9 AV)
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (1 Peter 3:2-3 AV)
B. not attracting attention to ones self but to God
V. If we have a problem let us confess and ask God to help us.
Conclusion
Jesus had compassion upon the woman caught in adultery. He had a right to condemn her. He was perfect and knew no sin so he could pass judgment but he told her
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:11 AV)
Yes she had sinned and been caught but Jesus forgave her and gave her specific instructions to go and sin no more. We are forgiven if we confess our sins to him but we must also deal with the situation. Learn to avoid . Yes we need the help of Christ but we also must take the effort.
