This was originally published at The Biblical Recorder.
Lust is not a new problem; it’s as ancient as the post-Eden condition. Human lust for covenant-breaking sexuality is rooted in the fallen passions of our heart (Matthew 5:27-28). However, the problem of lust has been exasperated in the age of the Internet beyond what anyone could have imagined. And while pornography is an issue of public morality, it’s often shrouded in the secrecy of personal privacy. Our sinful lust is easily fed by the Internet, which offers an easily found image, an easily accessible video.
Though no sin is safely hidden from the eyes of our Savior. Even more so, Jesus died to pay the price for our sinful indulgence of lust. Therefore, God takes the sin of lust seriously. And so should we. According to Jesus, indulged lust is equal to adultery. “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29). This is an issue of the heart.
Lust begins in the heart, the center of a person’s being. It is not enough to maintain physical purity alone, for many Christians adultery is easily avoidable. Jesus calls us to guard against engaging in lust mentally, a heart act of unfaithfulness.
The imagery of “tearing out one’s eye” is a deliberate overstatement to emphasize the importance of purity. Those claim to be children of God should be willing to go above and beyond in order to avoid becoming ensnared by sexual sin that finds its origins in the pits of hell. Lustful intent promises satisfaction, but delivers death. The pornography industry is empowered by the fires of hell.
Thankfully, in Christ there is salvation from the snares of indulged lust. Even more so, by the power of the Spirit, there is the offer of salvation from sinful patterns of unfaithfulness to God and one’s spouse.
The Good News of the gospel is that when we take sin seriously, God will deal with us graciously. In Christ there is true satisfaction of our deepest desires.
Matt Capps 