ADULTERY -- IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS

Matthew 5:27-30

Hebrews 4:12-14

Whenever Jesus says, "You have heard it said .... but I say," it's a warning that Jesus is going bring us a teaching that's in contrast to what the world believes.  We continue exploring how being a Christian often requires that we live counter-intuitively in this world.

Well, that's one more author that goes on my "do not read" list.  I enjoy the books, but the problem is every female protagonist has a sweet tooth and may very well be a certifiable chocoholic.  I'm not judging, mind you.  Let she who has not gone out in the middle of the night in search of a dark chocolate Milky Way candy bar cast the first truffle.  

By the time I finished the last book, my craving was so bad that I was searching the house for left-over candy from Halloween and ready to grab my car keys and head for the nearest bakery for two dozen double chocolate espresso cup cakes.  

And it all started with thinking about how good a piece of "Better than Sex" chocolate cake sounded.

Speaking of sex ...

Jesus said, “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."    (Matthew 5:27-28, NRSV)

When it comes to the adultery, which has the potential of causing so much emotional pain and harm in families, it is the thought that counts.   Where goes our thoughts goes our energy and our actions.

Jesus warns us to stay out of situations that are going to lead to lustful thoughts and desensitize us to sexual sin.  Put in our context, Jesus is telling us to be careful about what we read, the television shows and movies we watch, the music we listen to and what we look at on the Internet.

Sometimes that's easier said than done.  We've been hardwired to be physical, sexual creatures.  In our culture, sex sells products, T.V. programs, movies and music.  We live in the midst of temptation in a world that has been desensitized to the seriousness of sexual sin, and it is only by the grace of God that we are able to resist it.

"Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  (Hebrews 4:14-15, NRSV)

We can cut off temptation and overcome it, not by our own strength and self-control, but by admitting our weakness and turning to Christ, who having been  tempted himself and did not sin, understands the challenges we face and has the proven power to back us up when we are tempted.  With confidence that we will find all that we need, we can, without hesitation, go before our Savior and accept what He is ready to give us, the mercy and transforming love that strengthens us.

With Christ at the center of our thoughts, our minds are renewed.

In the midst of temptation, we can walk in the grace of God through prayer, through feeding our thoughts with positive, Christ-centered music, scripture and books.  We can also develop a network of supportive Christian friends to walk the journey with.

With adultery, or any other sin, it is the though that counts.  So let's keep Jesus on our minds.