Matthew 5:28 (AMP)
"28 but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
In the Greek context, we see that every man who intentionally looks at or desires has already committed adultery in his heart. Jesus refers to a person who wants to satisfy his/her sexual desires by watching a TV show which has a sexual rating or goes to a club where the girls dress provocatively, as well as the beach where the swimwear is skimpy.
The phrase "... looks at a woman with lust for her ..." refers to a person who looks lustfully commits adultery in his heart.
In other words, it isn't the deed "looks at a woman" which causes the person to sin in their hearts, but they are provoking the desire by focusing on the woman to sin in their heart.
Let us look at Genesis 3 verse 4 to 6 "But the serpent said to the woman, "You certainly will not die! For God Knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil." And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was delightful to look at, and then a tree to be desired in order to make one wise and insightful, she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate."
Eve fell through allowing Satan to establish unholiness and rebellion within her heart. She desired the fruit resulting in her eating it. The action gave birth to her sin. Jesus doesn't speak of unexpected or unavoidable exposure to sexual temptations He says it the purposeful desire. We can be tempted to sin, but we are able to resist it. Making us victorious.
“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” Stephen R. Covey. This is exactly what Jesus is talking about.
Remember this does not only pertain to men but also women.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help us to keep Your Word close to our hearts, we are so easily misled. Please protect us and give us the necessary strength to withstand the devil in our hour of temptation. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
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