The Art of Faithfulness

"You have heard that it was said, 'Do 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

You know, we just don't talk about this very much any more. Te act of adultery has become so commonplace that we are numb to it. Sexual sin is depicted in virtually every movie and television show. We have become the proverbial frog in the pot. We adapt to our surroundings and become desensitized to the wickedness around us. But God has never changed his view of adultery and sexual sin. His Word has been established on the matter and he will not relent. Sexual immorality is an evil that damages people for life, and for eternity.
    Certainly God will forgive the adulterer in the same way he forgives any other sin. But the affects of this sin are widespread. The apostle Paul said that all other sins we may commit are outside our own bodies, but when we sin in this area, we sin against our own bodies. We are told to flee sexual immorality. Not many that are reading this are adulterers in the true sense of the word. But I am certain that many of us are guilty of the very things that Jesus spokes about in this scripture. We may not be indulging in the act of adultery, but our hearts and our eyes betray us.
    It was a new level of teaching when Jesus declared this truth. Before this, it was only the physical act of sexual sin that was spoken of as evil. But Jesus boldly said that even if we look at members of the opposite sex with lust, we have already committed adultery. In Jesus' day, he spoke to men. Today, we must declare this to both men and women. The same lust that consumes men has made its way into the lives and hearts of women as well. The enemy has had his way in propagating lust in people. So we must choose to flee from this kind of sexual immorality as well as the actual act. God knows that the seeds of sexual sin are planted in the heart by eyes that wander. When the seed is planted, the full grown sin is sure to follow.
    I say we talk about it. Let's hold each other accountable in this area. If we continue to allow ourselves to harbor lust in our hearts, we will soon become apathetic to its evils. the cover-up will begin and the deep seeds of secretive sin will be planted in our hearts. When we are willing to expose our weakness to the light of Christ's glory, we will find protection and freedom. It is impossible to hide anything when it is exposed to light, especially the light of Christ. If you have a dark secret in this area, expose it to his light. Then freedom will come, the enemy will be disarmed and your flesh will be forced to bow before the king of Kings. It is sad that lust is paraded before us daily by the world. It is even more sad when we give into the evil. Stand firm and live in purity. This is the art of faithfulness to God and our loved ones.