The Sin of Lust Leads to the Sin of Adultery #1728

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27–28, NKJV)

Sin, including the sin of adultery, begins in the heart. The actual sin of adultery puts lust into action. That is, adultery is the physical action of a lustful heart (Heb. 13:4). The sin of lust occurs in the heart, and it leads to the sin of adultery, which is committed with the body and against the purpose of the body (1 Cor. 6:18). Lust and adultery are two distinct sins, with one leading to the other. (This is similar to hate in the heart and murder – two sins, with one leading to the other, 1 Jno. 3:14-15.) Some say today’s passage justifies putting away a spouse who has committed a lustful action (such as viewing pornography). Viewing pornography is certainly a sin of fleshly lust, but it is not the sin of adultery (Gal. 5:19; Col. 3:5-7). (One can lust without committing adultery, but one cannot commit adultery without lust being in the heart.) We cannot redefine adultery to include pornography, and then legitimize putting away a spouse for the cause of pornography. Viewing porn and committing adultery are distinct sins. Viewing porn is lewdness, uncleanness, evil desire, and sinful passion. But, it is not the sin of adultery. Let us help people repent and repair the damage done to their marriages by pornography. But, let us not sanction divorce and remarriage for the cause of lust (pornography), and call it “for the cause of fornication” (Matt. 19:9).

Honor Marriage #404

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. (Hebrews 13:4)

Marriage is greatly dishonored when people live together without marriage, by same sex marriage and by unscriptural remarriage. Nevertheless, God commands that we hold marriage in honor. It is not biblical to conclude that every marriage is approved by God. John was killed after he told Herod it was “not lawful” to have his brother Philip’s wife, “for he had married her” (Mark 6:17-18). Herod was in a marriage, but it was not sanctioned by God. It was not honorable; it was sinful. Are you in an honorable, God-approved marriage? The Bible tells you. Jesus said marriage is for life; God joins the man and woman together (Matt. 19:4-5; Rom. 7:2). “Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6, 4-5). Jesus said putting away one’s spouse for the cause of fornication is the reason for which one may end marriage and honorably marry another (Matt. 19:9). All other reasons for ending a marriage are sin and adultery is committed in remarriage (Matt. 19:9; 5:32; Rom. 7:3). Sexual immorality defiles the honorable marriage bed. God will punish all who do.