A Misunderstanding of Matthew 5:28

 "A misunderstanding of Matthew 5:28 has driven many into vicious cycles of guilt, condemnation, and defeat. 

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

At first glance, it seems that most of humanity is in a whole lot of trouble!

But what was Jesus’ intent?

The issue that Jesus was addressing in Matthew 5:28 was adultery, and He was referring to a specific condition of the heart. Biblical adultery is to defraud another man of his wife, either in a physical (sexual) manner, or even simply in an emotional manner. Intent is sufficient for this violation to take place. A sexual act never has to be committed.

Jesus referred to a man “looking” to “lust” after a woman, but He was not referring to just any woman, nor was it just any look. In order for adultery to take place, the woman would have had to have been married to another man (the man’s marital status would be irrelevant). The Greek word “gyne”here used for “woman” is the same word used interchangeably for “wife” throughout the New Testament.

This could be paraphrased: 

“Whoever looks at a married woman in a covetous manner (with intent to possess her for himself) has already committed the act (of adultery) in his heart.” 

Jesus is referring to the underlying intent of the 7th and 10th commandments in the law of Moses (See Exodus 20:2-17)

7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

10. “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”

Jesus brought them to a higher standard through grace than even the written law appeared to require, for this was the true intent of the law. If you have broken the 10th commandment, then you have already, by default, broken the 7th. Jesus always dealt with the intent of the heart. The true source and origin of sin. 

What Jesus was not referring to was a man looking at a woman and finding her sexually attractive. Of course, how then would a man assess a future partner? The subject was adultery, and therefore the woman had to be married to another man, and the man had to do more than simply look. There had to be something specific going on in his heart. Something stronger than sexual attraction and arousal, or noticing her physical beauty. There had to be an intent to possess. When covetousness conceives in the heart, intent is birthed. He would take her if he had the chance, even if he never would have the opportunity. Thinking, “I would like a woman like that someday,” is not sinful. Thinking, “I want that woman,” would be wrong, and a violation of God’s law. Intent was sufficient to be guilty of committing this crime against another man, and against God who joined the marriage. 

Most men understand this look, for many fights have originated from this particular look. The look that usurps the man’s authority, and breeds disrespect. “I will take her for myself!” Absent this element of intent to possess, most men would be very happy with other men looking at their wives and finding them physically attractive, just like they want other men to admire their homes, cars, boats, motorcycles, and other things, because it reflects well on them. This is not a bad thing in and of itself, for it is a form of honor. It can be a bad thing if it crosses the line into covetousness, disrespect, and intent to possess. To admire a man’s car for instance, is one thing. To contemplate stealing it is something else entirely. One is honorable and the other is dishonorable. 

For this reason, Matthew 5:28 does not apply to the issue of pornography, masturbation, or sexual desire. But we should use wisdom, common sense, and walk in honor and respect toward others. For example, what would be the result of indiscriminate sexual activity? Babies without fathers in the home, and many other pitfalls. God is not against sex, but we should know how to possess our vessels (bodies) in a way that is honorable before God (having faith and a pure conscience), and man, and He doesn’t want us controlled by anything."

Thomas Woythal 

Qui n'a pas

 

Walking by Faith and Under Precise Direction

Matthew 7:7-8
7 “Ask (keep on asking), and it will be given to you; seek (keep on seeking), and you will find; knock (keep on knocking), and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

That is Jesus's instruction to his disciples. For these promises to be fulfilled, it is implied that one is walking in the will of God and is his child able to receive his precise direction (Romans 8:9; 14-17).

We are instructed to make our petitions to God

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:14-15

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

John 15:7-8

7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. 8 In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

John 15:14-17 

14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

John 16:24

Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Receiving precise instruction

John 21:3-6

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They went out, and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. 4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

Remember, Jesus said, "Seek and you shall find" (Matthew 7:7). So He is there also to direct you if your life is submitted to Him. The right place and the right time are not things to fret about when you have believed in God for something. No need to "put yourself out there" where you have not been called to be, or even to "sell yourself" (sadly, we speak in those terms when we walk in darkness and may not even know what light looks like!) But God is above time and space. You cannot miss what He has in store for you because He cannot miss you (He cannot fail to find you in the place or the situation you are in). It's up to Him to place you where you need to be and in the circumstances that you need to be in. Yes, that does sound like you aren't the one in control here, and that's exactly how it works with Him who is called your "Lord" that you have submitted your life to. He is in control and He is not limited by anything other than your own faith and willingness to cooperate (obey) to bring something to pass in your life about which you are holding on to his promise. Be diligent only to ensure that you have ears to hear Him and that you do all under his direction.

In the example above with Jesus and the disciples who were fishing, his instruction that He gave them was to be obeyed immediately, not the next day, in a week or six months later. But it must be noted that typically, while a promise of God will involve precise instructions to you as the beneficiary, it will also involve a waiting time that may be longer than the time it took the disciples to draw a net full of fish, for instance. That waiting time will be for your preparation. Even if you think you are ready, you may want to be praying to God to make you ready and you should stand ready to receive wisdom. As you are waiting on God's promise, you may need to learn to be still and rest in Him, and so prove that you believe and trust Him to do the walk with Him and won't run to "other options" like Abraham did (Genesis 15, 16, 17, 18:1-15). What you have believed in must be already a reality to you in your heart (Mark 11:24; Hebrews 11:1). You should have an increasing sense of that as you go on praying. Your faith will increase and you will reach points of no return in it. That will come only with fervent prayer. You will stand and wait on God (Isaiah 40:31) like there is no other option. And you will stand in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3) like you are assured that it's only a matter of time before you see what God will do in your life. You must be thus strengthened and made ready so your catch* does not break your net** or your net does not ruin the catch in some way. Those scenarios would not be in God's perfect plan so He would make you ready according to his perfect will. That would involve trials to refine you, transform you by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1-2), and thus conform you to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

* ** I use "catch" as an analogy to God's promise applicable to you and "net" as an analogy to your state of readiness to receive the blessing and be a blessing yourself (with God, the purpose of being blessed, even with a unique blessing applicable to unique you is never selfish).

Walking by faith

Your faith really will be the bright light that will lighten your path as you are waiting on God. As God calls you to a walk of faith, don't go and do things without faith and sin and have Jesus reproach you, saying: "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). You may lack faith, have fears, or lack patience. Both faith and patience are fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). You will need both to remain standing where and how you need to be standing. Laboring in prayer will strengthen your core. For instance, you can pray Ephesians 3:14-19 for yourself, in the first person, to help with your walk.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Going God's way

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

Be praying also that God does not let you go a way that only seems right to you! That is easy if indeed Jesus is your Lord (and you are not trying to be lord of your own life). If rather than denying yourself (Luke 9:23) and decreasing (John 3:30), you are boasting about "being you" and "doing you" as they say, God will surely resist you, for He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5-7; Matthew 23:12). If you have repented and followed Jesus, then you know God, you have no "trust issues" with Him and no doubts that He wants your best. You must believe Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to those who love God, whatever you may see or go through, and give God thanks always (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Don't doubt after you have believed (Mark 11:24) and don't quit praying as taught by Jesus (see Luke 11:5-13 and Luke 18:1-8). Remember, you are to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). And you need to have a heart that is ready to obey God in all.

Obeying the Gospel: Following Jesus

Mark 1:14-15

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel.”

Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Luke 6:46

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?

Seek God first

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [you need] shall be added to you.

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do Your will,

For You are my God;

Your Spirit is good.

Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Psalm 23:1-3

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

John 8:12

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Have the right heart before God

Psalm 26:2

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;

Try my mind and my heart.

James 4:2-4

2 You desire, and do not have. You kill, covet, and cannot obtain. You fight and make war. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask, and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it for your pleasures. 4 You adulterers and adulteresses [spiritually unfaithful toward God], do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? 

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Final thoughts

Let this be your testimony, dear beloved:

"I have asked. I have believed. I have received!"

So, be busy praying and bringing God's will to pass in your life for his glory!

May Jesus bless you!

Warning

John 9:31

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their prayers;

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

Jesus vs. Christianity

Faithfulness Toward God and the Taboo of Perfection

Glory of Man

 

L'Église De Jésus-Christ : Un Édifice Spirituel Vivant

Pour ceux qui ne sont pas encore arrivés à la connaissance de la vérité (Jean 8:31-32; 1 Timothée 2:4; 2 Timothée 3:7; Hébreux 10:26), c'est difficile de s'imaginer qu'un immeuble pareil (voir photo) puisse ne rien avoir à voir avec Jésus-Christ, le seul vrai Dieu dont la bible témoigne.

Quand bien même Jésus serait un Roi bâtisseur, son matériel de construction n'est ni béton, ni chair, mais est fait de matière spirituelle. Son église qu'Il a bâtie sur le rocher, "cette pierre" (Matthieu 16:18), est faite d'âmes humaines, transformées par la volonté de Dieu, par le moyen de sa parole et pour le service de Dieu.

 

[1 Pierre: 2:4-6 
4. Approchez-vous de lui, pierre vivante, rejetée par les hommes, mais choisie et précieuse devant Dieu; 5. et vous-mêmes, comme des pierres vivantes, édifiez-vous pour former une maison spirituelle, un saint sacerdoce, afin d'offrir des victimes spirituelles, agréables à Dieu par Jésus-Christ. 6. Car il est dit dans l'Ecriture: Voici, je mets en Sion une pierre angulaire, choisie, précieuse; Et celui qui croit en elle ne sera point confus.]

[Éphésiens 2:19-22 
19 Ainsi, vous n'êtes plus ni des étrangers, ni des gens de dehors, mais concitoyens des Saints, et de la maison de Dieu; 20 Étant édifiés sur le fondement des apôtres et des prophètes, dont Jésus-Christ est la pierre angulaire, 21 En qui tout l'édifice, bien coordonné, s'élève pour être un temple saint au Seigneur, 22 En qui aussi vous êtes édifiés ensemble, pour être la maison de Dieu par l'Esprit.]

Jean 6:63
C'est l'esprit qui vivifie; la chair ne sert de rien. Les paroles que je vous dis sont esprit et vie.

1 Pierre 1:22-23

22 Ayant purifié vos âmes, en obéissant à la vérité, par l'Esprit, pour avoir un amour fraternel et sans hypocrisie, aimez-vous avec constance les uns les autres d'un cœur pur, 23 Étant régénérés, non par une semence corruptible, mais par une semence incorruptible, par la parole de Dieu, qui vit et qui demeure éternellement.

(Luc 8:11
La semence, c'est la parole de Dieu...)

1 Jean 3:9

Quiconque est né de Dieu, ne commet point le péché, parce que la semence de Dieu demeure en lui; et il ne peut pécher, parce qu'il est né de Dieu.

Il faut naître de nouveau pour faire partie de l'Église de Jésus-Christ, qu'Il aime et pour laquelle il revient.

Jean 3:5-7

5 Jésus répondit: En vérité, en vérité je te dis, que si un homme ne naît d'eau et d'esprit, il ne peut entrer dans le royaume de Dieu. 6 Ce qui est né de la chair est chair, et ce qui est né de l'esprit est esprit. 7 Ne t'étonne point de ce que je t'ai dit: Il faut que vous naissiez de nouveau.

Il faut avoir en soi la vie qui est en Jésus et ainsi être en Jésus. Cela se fait quand on reçoit le Saint-Esprit.

1 Jean 5:12

Qui a le Fils, a la vie; qui n'a point le Fils de Dieu, n'a point la vie.

 

Jean 14:6

Jésus lui dit: Je suis le chemin, la vérité et la vie; personne ne vient au Père que par moi.

 

1 Jean 2:26-29

26 Je vous ai écrit ces choses au sujet de ceux qui vous égarent. 27 Pour vous, l'onction que vous avez reçue de lui demeure en vous, et vous n'avez pas besoin qu'on vous enseigne; mais comme son onction vous enseigne toutes choses, et qu'elle est véritable et qu'elle n'est point un mensonge, demeurez en lui selon les enseignements qu'elle vous a donnés. 28 Et maintenant, petits enfants, demeurez en lui, afin que, lorsqu'il paraîtra, nous ayons de l'assurance, et qu'à son avènement nous ne soyons pas confus et éloignés de lui. 29 Si vous savez qu'il est juste, reconnaissez que quiconque pratique la justice* est né de lui.

*Comparez avec la pratique du péché (Matthieu 7:21-23), soit disant une maladie congénitale, un mal incurable.

Il y a un moyen par lequel l'Agneau de Dieu enlève le péché du monde. Il guérit les malades qui s'admettent malades et désirent la santé, et Il ouvre les yeux des aveugles qui se savent aveugles et désirent la vue - ceux-là qui se tournent vers Lui et Lui demandent (Luc 11:9-13) d'intervenir ainsi en leur faveur: Il sera leur Sauveur. (Comp. Apocalypse 3:17-18)

Luc 5:30-32

30 Les pharisiens et les scribes murmurèrent, et dirent à ses disciples: Pourquoi mangez-vous et buvez-vous avec les publicains et les gens de mauvaise vie? 31 Jésus, prenant la parole, leur dit: Ce ne sont pas ceux qui se portent bien qui ont besoin de médecin, mais les malades. 32 Je ne suis pas venu appeler à la repentance des justes, mais des pécheurs.

Qu'est donc être un pécheur toute sa vie si ce n'est d'avoir renié la vérité de l'Évangile, refusé son appel?

Jean 8:24

C’est pourquoi je vous ai dit que vous mourrez dans vos péchés. En effet, si vous 

ne croyez pas que moi, je suis, vous mourrez dans vos péchés. 

Le don du Saint-Esprit se fait à ceux qui obéissent à la parole de Dieu (Jean 14:15-18). Ils doivent se repentir: se détourner de leurs mauvaises voies.

Proverbes 28:13

Celui qui cache ses transgressions ne prospère point, Mais celui qui les avoue et les délaisse obtient miséricorde.

 

1 Jean 1:9

Si nous confessons nos péchés, il est fidèle et juste pour nous les pardonner, et pour nous purifier de toute iniquité.

 

Actes 2:38

Et Pierre leur dit: Repentez-vous, et que chacun de vous soit baptisé au nom de Jésus-Christ, pour le pardon de ses péchés; et vous recevrez le don du Saint-Esprit.

 

Actes 5:32

Et nous lui sommes témoins de ces choses, aussi bien que le Saint-Esprit, que Dieu a donné à ceux qui lui obéissent.

La vérité est ce qu'elle est et la parole de Dieu demeure éternellement, peu importe vos illusions.

Il y a sur cette terre un imposteur colossal (2 Corinthiens 4:4) dont l'œuvre aussi est colossale et son nom est Satan, qui séduit non plus Adam et Ève mais toute la terre. Tout pécheur est un homme trompé et vivant continuellement dans le mensonge qu'il a cru. Il ne marche pas dans la vérité, le chemin qui mène à la vie.

Apocalypse 12:9

Et il fut précipité, le grand dragon, le serpent ancien, appelé le diable et Satan, 

celui qui séduit toute la terre, il fut précipité sur la terre, et ses anges furent précipités avec lui.

Alors, il revient à vous de vous ancrer dans la parole de Dieu et de vous efforcer d'entrer par la porte étroite; car Jésus vous dit que plusieurs chercheront à y entrer, et qu'ils ne le pourront pas (Luc 13:24). "Entrez par la porte étroite; car large est la porte et spacieuse est la voie qui mènent à la perdition, et il y en a beaucoup qui y entrent. 14. Car étroite est la porte et resserrée la voie qui mènent à la vie, et il y en a peu qui la trouvent." (Matthieu 7:13-14). C'est une grave erreur donc de mettre sa confiance en l'homme, en ses paroles et en les voies qu'il indique plus qu'en la parole de Dieu, la vérité, et la voie qu'elle établit.

Proverbes 29:25

La crainte qu'on a de l'homme, fait tomber dans le piège; mais celui qui s'assure en l'Éternel aura une haute retraite.

 

Psaume 118:8-9

8 Mieux vaut se retirer vers l'Éternel que de s'assurer en l'homme. 9 Mieux vaut se retirer vers l'Éternel que de s'appuyer sur les grands.

 

Exemples contraires à se confier en l'homme, même quand il croirait bien faire (lire en contexte):

Actes 4:19

Mais Pierre et Jean leur répondirent: Jugez s'il est juste devant Dieu, de vous obéir plutôt qu'à Dieu.

 

Actes 5:29

Mais Pierre et les apôtres répondirent: Il faut obéir à Dieu plutôt qu'aux hommes.

Il revient à vous donc de vous assurer que l'immeuble que vous appelez votre église, dont votre association à elle, votre fréquentation d'elle et toutes les assomption que vous vous faites autour d'elle et qui en font un symbole fort de votre piété, est un lieu d'où éclos la vie spirituelle plutôt qu'un cimetière, un lieu où se manifeste le Saint-Esprit plutôt que l'esprit du monde, un filet rempli de bons poissons plutôt que de mauvais.

1 Corinthiens 2:12-14

12 Pour nous, nous n'avons pas reçu l'esprit du monde, mais l'Esprit qui vient de Dieu, pour connaître les choses qui nous ont été données de Dieu; 13 Et nous les annonçons, non avec les discours qu'enseigne la sagesse humaine, mais avec ceux qu'enseigne le Saint-Esprit, expliquant les choses spirituelles aux spirituels. 14 Or, l'homme animal ne comprend point les choses de l'Esprit de Dieu; car elles lui semblent folie, et il ne peut les connaître, parce que c'est spirituellement qu'on en juge.

Matthieu 13:47-51

47 Le royaume des cieux est encore semblable à un filet qui, étant jeté dans la mer, ramasse toutes sortes de choses. 48 Quand il est rempli, les pêcheurs le tirent sur le rivage; et s'étant assis, ils mettent ce qu'il y a de bon à part dans leurs vaisseaux, et ils jettent ce qui ne vaut rien. 49 Il en sera de même à la fin du monde; les anges viendront, et sépareront les méchants du milieu des justes; 50 Et ils jetteront les méchants dans la fournaise ardente; là seront les pleurs et les grincements de dents. 51 Et Jésus dit à ses disciples: Avez-vous compris toutes ces choses? Ils lui répondirent: Oui, Seigneur.

 

2 Timothée 2:19-21

19 Néanmoins, le solide fondement de Dieu reste debout, avec ces paroles qui lui servent de sceau: Le Seigneur connaît ceux qui lui appartiennent; et: Quiconque prononce le nom du Seigneur, qu'il s'éloigne de l'iniquité. 20 Dans une grande maison, il n'y a pas seulement des vases d'or et d'argent, mais il y en a aussi de bois et de terre; les uns sont des vases d'honneur, et les autres sont d'un usage vil. 21 Si donc quelqu'un se conserve pur, en s'abstenant de ces choses, il sera un vase d'honneur, sanctifié, utile à son maître, propre à toute bonne oeuvre.

 

■

Hébreux 11:6

Or sans la foi il est impossible de lui être agréable; car il faut que celui qui s'approche de Dieu croie que Dieu existe, et qu'il est le rémunérateur de ceux qui le cherchent.

 

Jérémie 29:13

Vous me chercherez, et vous me trouverez, si vous me cherchez de tout votre coeur.

 

Ésaïe 55:6-7

6 Cherchez l'Éternel pendant qu'il se trouve; Invoquez-le, tandis qu'il est près. 7 Que le méchant abandonne sa voie, Et l'homme d'iniquité ses pensées; Qu'il retourne à l'Éternel, qui aura pitié de lui, A notre Dieu, qui ne se lasse pas de pardonner.

 

Que Dieu vous bénisse, vous guide et vous garde.

Publication originale : 5 Août 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voir aussi:

Legliz Jezi Bati A

 

The Church that Jesus Built (Upon this Rock)

 

Trouver l'Église que Jésus a Bâtie Face au Puissant Mirage de l'Église Catholique 

 

Qui n'a rien peut recevoir ce qui lui manque