What Did Jesus Say About Adultry?

 Thought For Today - August 26
 What did Jesus say about adultery?
By: Robert A. Searles

    One man, one woman, joined together in marriage for life: This is God's perfect plan for the home, and the propagation of children. The marriage relationship between man and wife here on earth is a picture of a child of God's relationship with Christ. The redeemed church is considered to be the bride of Christ.

  If a man or woman strays from the one to whom he or she has pledged themselves for life, and has intercourse with another, this is considered adultery in the mind of God. One of the ten commandments says: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."

Jesus taught his hearers that not only was it possible that one might commit physical adultery, but more importantly, one is in danger of committing adultery in one's mind as well. 
How many of us can feast our eyes on sexually explicit videos and movies without committing adultery in our minds? That which the mind conceives, the flesh achieves. We are all guilty and need to confess so that we might be forgiven.

Is there a redeemed child of God anywhere who has never looked upon the things of the world in his mind and lusted after them, and been tempted to fall away from the things of Christ and follow after them? We have all been guilty at times and need to confess so that we might be forgiven.

 The actions of the flesh begin with the thoughts of the mind. We need to keep our mind on Christ and his word so that we will not be tempted to commit physical or spiritual adultery. That which the world sees in our marital relationship with our spouse, is a reflection of our relationship and marriage to Christ. We need to be careful what kind of a picture we present.

Jesus said: "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5: 27,28.
 "And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commiteth adultery, and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Matthew 19: 9.

It is indeed sad to behold so many broken homes and families who have strayed from their marriage vows, and because of the lust of the flesh, have committed adultery. It is equally sad to behold one who has been redeemed by the blood of Christ, and has become part of the bride of Christ, to fall back into the sins of the world and be guilty of committing adultery with the world.

Telehelp Publications Christian Literature Ministry