A Burning Heart and Radical Surgery
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV) [see full text in button/link below]
Human Nature Doesn’t Change On Its Own
Culture changes, but human nature doesn’t. Things have changed since Jesus’ time, but people haven’t. Many centuries have passed since Jesus walked the earth, and the world is vastly different today.
New nations exist, such as our own, never imagined in ancient times. Many empires have risen and fallen over the past 2,000 years, and cultural shifts continue to swing from one extreme to another. However, basic human nature remains unchanged. Cultural influences and national identities may differ, but people are people at their core.
Most of the focus of psychology, philosophy, and religion is on changing what’s external. Yes, even Christianity frequently focuses on appearances, behaviors, and practices. These have their place, but changes on the outside don’t bring lasting internal change.
Many self-improvement techniques attempt to bring internal change, but these are temporary at best. Why? Because we all regress to our self-focused selves. Our inner self, the core of our inner being, is selfish. It’s what the Bible calls the “flesh” or “ the old nature” (see Romans 7:15-20)
Insights
Lust and adultery have been a common element of human nature since the earliest times. I believe it goes back to the origin of FOMO when the first humans believed God was holding back something they should have. Regardless of its source, lust and adultery continue to be part of our human experience.
Think of the political and professional wreckage of many leaders over the past few decades. Sadly, though not unexpectedly, this includes a fair share of Christian men and women.
Of course, we look at those who’ve fallen from grace and prominence with lament—there but by the grace of God go I. If only they hadn’t crossed that line of thought to action!
But this is our great deception.
We think in degrees or shades when it comes to sin. If you don’t cross a line or get caught doing so, then it’s not as bad as it could’ve been.
Perhaps one of the more notable examples of this was President Clinton’s famous (or infamous) denial of sexual relations with a female intern. He questioned the meaning of words and phrases. He used semantics to evade the truth that he later admitted to.
In my counseling experience as a pastor, I’ve had my share of similar encounters with people. After confronting a mature Christian leader about his infidelity, he defended his actions and chided me, saying, “Haven’t you ever looked at a woman with lust in your heart? Then you’ve committed adultery.” This didn’t excuse his actions.
This brings to mind another US president’s comments on adultery. In an interview with Playboy magazine before his election in 1976, President Jimmy Carter admitted he’d committed adultery in his heart when he looked lustfully at a woman. Of course, this stirred overreactions and brought self-righteous condemnations from others.
These three examples illustrate what Jesus means by committing adultery in our hearts. One man evades the truth, one justifies his actions by equating them with thoughts, while another admits his weakness. The ones who fall often receive more mercy and understanding than the honest ones. Such is human nature.
But what Jesus says next sounds like he expects us to perform radical surgery!
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:29-30 NIV)
Redefining the Nature of God’s Kingdom
The point Jesus is making is similar to what He said about murder in the heart. It’s the intent of the heart we need to be careful with. Yes, there’s a big difference between the act of committing murder or adultery and harboring such thoughts in our hearts and minds. But these physical actions begin in the heart, our inner being.
When Jesus says we need to gouge out our eye or cut off our hand if either one offends us, He’s using figurative language—hyperbole. He’s not suggesting radical surgery on our bodies! If this were to be taken literally, we should be able to recognize the honest Christians from the evaders of truth because they’d only have one eye, one hand, and one foot!2
Here is the essence of what Jesus means. Before things go too far, stop! Deal with thoughts and feelings before they result in actions that have greater consequences. As James reminds us, sin runs a course that can be prevented—
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15 NIV)
We need to deal with dark desires before they run their course to irreversible consequences. Our eyes, hands, and feet don’t have their own minds. We don’t need to do radical surgeries on our bodies. But we do need radical surgery on those destructive and dangerous intents of our hearts.
How do we do this?
We repent! We go to the Lord, confess our struggle, and ask Him for guidance and grace to put such thoughts to death.
Do you struggle with thoughts of lust or other disruptive feelings?
Then get rid of them before they run their course and destroy you.
Reflection—
Whether it’s lust or anger or some other destructive thought or attitude, deal with it before it goes any further. Don’t let it run its course and cross a line you cannot see until you’ve crossed it. These may be common to all people, but they bring ruin when allowed to prevail.
Prayer Focus—
When you struggle with lustful thoughts, dangerous daydreams, or foolish fantasies, seek the Lord’s help sooner rather than later. Repent—turn to the Lord and ask for His mercy and grace to prevent you from going any further. Then rejoice and praise Him for those simple victories!
This is an excerpt from a soon-to-be-published book called The Heart and Soul of God’s Kingdom. Look for it on Amazon with my other books— Trip Kimball on Amazon
