Matthew 5:27-28 (ESV)
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus begins here with a series of statements "You have heard it said...but I say..." These illustrate that what is now expected is greater that what was previously expected. From this I draw the conclusion that grace is much more restrictive than the law. Grace deals with the heart of the matter!
Specifically in the passage selected, Jesus deals with immorality. But this principle of grace reaches every aspect of life. Outward expressions of separation and holiness are Biblically mandated from God. And if you love Jesus, you will keep His commandments. But equally important is an inward manifestation of separation and holiness.
Adultery is wrong! But Jesus adds to it explaining that looking on a woman and lusting after her in your heart is just as wrong! Sexual impurity begins in the desires of the heart. In fact, I believe all sin begins in the heart (and mind) which is why we must be just as holy on the inside as we are on the outside.
Years ago, Toby Mac stated, "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who profess Jesus with their lips yet deny Him by their lifestyle. This is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."
I've heard married men say in reference to looking lustfully upon a woman, "I'm just looking at the menu; I'm not ordering anything." To which I reply, "GET OUT OF THE RESTAURANT AND STOP LOOKING AT THE MENU! YOU'VE ALREADY ORDERED!" Furthermore, if you're an unmarried man, look upon a woman, but not lustfully!
According to Scripture, what's in your heart will manifest itself...
Matthew 12:34b (ESV)
...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45 (ESV)
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Deal with your heart. Make sure that it's pure!
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Near the end of Solomon's prayer of dedication of the Temple, Solomon addresses the heart of the matter...
1 Kings 8:61 (KJV)
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
