Chastellet Crusader castle at Jacob's Ford from west, © bibleplaces.com, used by permission.

GUARDING THE HEART

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell."

Matthew 5:27-30

Lust is a very common vice. Our modern society casually lusts and thinks nothing of it. We have entire industries built upon lust (though we turn a blind eye to them). We consume lust daily in our entertainment and our private thoughts, and do not think of how it is silently corrupting us. We justify it as a "guilty pleasure" and tell ourselves that it is not harming anyone. Besides, it doesn't count if we don't act on it, right? But Jesus warns us of the dangers of lust. Jesus moves beyond outward behavior into the inner world, targeting lust. The command against adultery is a call to purity of heart — not merely avoiding actions, but guarding desires, intentions, and what we allow to shape our imagination.

Lust is about our thoughts, and any thoughts that pull us away from God are dangerous. Beyond that, however, lust is an emptiness inside of us that we try to fill with our own selfishness. Instead of looking to God to fill us, we turn selfishly to meet our own needs and desires at the expense of minimizing someone else. It may seem harmless, but it is always a secret thought or desire and it always damages, while we remain just as empty. This emptiness can only be filled by God.

Jesus uses strong language to show how seriously spiritual erosion begins. Sin rarely starts with dramatic choices; it begins internally with small permissions — what we dwell on, entertain, or justify privately. Unchecked thoughts and desires lead to actions that destroy relationships, marriages, families, and souls. The small things desensitize us, and then they are no longer even noticed. The once large things are now small, and we roll down the slope into the muck before we even recognize that we have fallen. 

Jesus penetrates to the root: lustful intent in the heart. The phrase “looks at a woman with lustful intent” describes not a fleeting glance, but a deliberate, lingering choice to objectify and covet another person, reducing them from image-bearer of God to an object of selfish desire. God made mankind in His image, and when we lust for someone, we dishonor God Himself. Those harmless thoughts are disrespect for the King of creation. When Jesus says to tear out an eye or cut off a hand He is calling us to radical action. We must treat sin seriously and do whatever it takes to remove temptations, change habits, and seek accountability. The stakes are eternal: better to enter God’s kingdom “maimed” (sacrificing comfort or convenience) than to let sin lead to spiritual destruction.

This teaching is not about shame but about freedom; it is not about condemnation but about conviction. Jesus knows that what captures our attention eventually shapes our lives. Lust enslaves and owns us; protecting the heart is an act of wisdom that keeps us free. We must vigilantly guard our hearts and actively pursue purity. Jesus compels us to refocus — to remove what pulls us away, and concentrate on love, faithfulness, wholeness and increasing holiness.

Holy God,

You know our hearts and our secret thoughts. You see all of our actions and desires. Have mercy on us.

Forgive us for the times we have allowed lustful intent to take root, objectifying others and dishonoring You. We confess that we cannot purify ourselves apart from Your grace. Cleanse our hearts and turn our attention toward what is good and life-giving. Help us release anything that weakens our faith or distorts our love for others. Give us strength to choose what leads to freedom and closeness with You.

Thank You for Jesus, who lived in perfect purity and bore the judgment our sins deserve. By Your Spirit, help us guard our lives from the things that would pull us away from You. Give us wisdom and courage to take radical steps against temptation, deny our wrong desires, and seek accountability. Renew our focus on You. May purity flow from a deep love for You and respect for others as Your image-bearers. Strengthen us to live in the freedom and holiness You desire.

Amen.

Purity is a choice, though often we do not recognize it. What are you consuming that is feeding lust? Are there specific triggers in your life related to lust or impure thoughts that pull you away from God? Take an audit today of what you are consuming, and "tear it out" or "cut it off". Intentionally remove that influence that distracts or tempts your mind:

  • certain apps/websites
  • idle scrolling
  • specific environments
  • entertainment
  • negative mental habits
  • unresolved emotional needs

Remove the temptation, knowing it is poisoning your heart. Each time you feel the urge to return to it, pause and pray: “Lord, give me strength. Shape my heart toward You.” Fill the space you created - the hole left by what you have cut off - with a selfless act of service for someone else, or with prayer and study. You must fill the hole with something pure and positive. Eventually, you will know greater peace and clarity. Find a trusted Christian friend with whom you can be accountable and commit to remaining pure.

We cannot win this battle on our own strength. Jesus calls us to heart-level holiness, not impossible perfection on our own, but empowered pursuit through His grace. Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly, including in purity of heart, and offers us His righteousness. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive power to renew our minds (Romans 12:2), flee temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18), and set our affections on things above (Colossians 3:2). Purity is not mere rule-following, but a heart transformed by love for Christ that values others rightly. May you experience freedom and joy in pursuing purity for His glory.