How many of you have memories of either singing (or teaching your own children) the song, “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see…”? This children’s song is a reminder that little eyes don’t just see another child’s toy, they can lead one to envy what another has. Jesus says much the same thing in Matthew 5:27-30 by using the example of someone looking at another person lustfully.
There is little doubt that we live in a sex-saturated culture. Billboards, magazines, best-selling novels, and blockbuster movies bombard us with images meant to tantalize, tease, and tempt. Computers and cell phones, with their instant access to the web bring unsavory images into our minds instantly. At issue is the fact that while sexual attraction between a man and a woman is a gift from God, looking lustfully at another person is both a sin against that person and against God.
This is why Jesus calls us to flee from the idolatry of lust, and warns us of the dangers that lead to adultery and divorce. Not only have marriages been destroyed because of it, but it can also enslave people in habits that create deep shame and self-loathing. This is also why we need the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, and why we need to take action quickly to deal with this destructive issue.
As we continue in our sermon series on The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus invites us to continue performing heart surgery as we navigate these difficult subjects. May our prayer be for God to soften our hearts to hear the hard things, and the strength to make the changes that are necessary. I look forward to seeing you either in person or online.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
There is little doubt that we live in a sex-saturated culture. Billboards, magazines, best-selling novels, and blockbuster movies bombard us with images meant to tantalize, tease, and tempt. Computers and cell phones, with their instant access to the web bring unsavory images into our minds instantly. At issue is the fact that while sexual attraction between a man and a woman is a gift from God, looking lustfully at another person is both a sin against that person and against God.
This is why Jesus calls us to flee from the idolatry of lust, and warns us of the dangers that lead to adultery and divorce. Not only have marriages been destroyed because of it, but it can also enslave people in habits that create deep shame and self-loathing. This is also why we need the grace and forgiveness of Jesus, and why we need to take action quickly to deal with this destructive issue.
As we continue in our sermon series on The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus invites us to continue performing heart surgery as we navigate these difficult subjects. May our prayer be for God to soften our hearts to hear the hard things, and the strength to make the changes that are necessary. I look forward to seeing you either in person or online.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
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