Jesus wants us to understand that when our heart starts to beat for another person, we are committing adultery in our hearts. This is dangerous territory. Betrayal begins in the heart. So keep you eyes focused only and always on that one to whom you committed…
27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Matthew 5:27-30 NLT
Again today, Jesus demonstrates in his teaching how the commandments are the starting point of living for God. Committing adultery is an act which, like murder, is a clear line crossed in conduct. This is not a white lie command. But Jesus wants us to think about our relationships in a deeper way.
Jesus wants us to understand that when our heart starts to beat for another person, we are committing adultery in our hearts. The betrayal of our partner doesn’t begin in a bedroom, it begins in the heart. We have language for this in our generation. The emotional affair is well-known and is just as offensive as a physical affair.
Jesus says if our eye or our hand – even our stronger hand – causes us to sin, we should cut it off. It’s better to lose a part of the body than to compromise ourselves toward a consequence of hell for the whole body.
Rather, guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23). Hold it for God and for your partner. There is a song from 1959 by the doo-wop group, The Flamingos. “My love must be a kind of blind love. I can’t see anyone but you…” At the end of the song, they sing, “Maybe millions of people go by; but they all disappear from view, and I only have eyes for you.”
This should have been a Valentine’s post. If you have a person for whom this song is true, cherish that love. Hold it dear. And keep your eyes and your heart focused on that love of your life…
Amen.
Marc Kinna
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