MATTHEW 5:28

1. What does this passage teach?

          A. Think a sin (intent) = doing a sin (action)

          B. There are several levels of guilt of sin.

                    1. Fleeting thoughts - no sin - under control

                    2. Lustful thoughts with desire = sin to God

                    3. Intent to fulfill these desires = sin to self

                    4. Actual action to fulfill the desire = sin against others, society, family and church.

2. Are there similar passages in the New Testament?

          A. I John 3:15 Hate brother = murderer

          B. Prov. 6:25 Lust not after her beauty

          C. I John 2:15-17 Love not the world

                    1. Lust of the eyes

                    2. Lust of the flesh

                    3. Pride (lust) of life

3. Discuss:

          A. Is this "really" the sin of adultery?  Is this a Biblical ground for divorce?

          B. Define these words:

                    1. Looks on a woman

                              a. "Isn't she attractive?"

                              b. Mental undressing

                              c. Lingering, dreaming, dwelling thoughts

                              d. Scheme, plan, think about how, when, where

                    2. Lust = "epithumeo" "to have affections toward anything, long after.  To desire in a bad sense as coveting and lusting after.

                    3. Adultery = intercourse - male and female - not married to each other - - either can be single, married, any combination

                    4. In his heart - this is where the sin takes place

          NOTE:  In God's view, there is no difference in the intent of sin and the act of sin. In the eyes of man, because we can not read other people's minds, there is a difference.

                    Eye diamond ring in a store window.  Ring stolen.  Did I steal it?  Did I steal it in my heart?

Quotes from Aurther W. Pink, An Exposition on the Sermon on the Mount.

          "Once more we are shown the vast difference there is between the spiritual requirements of a Holy God and the low standard which is deemed sufficient by His fallen creatures."  p. 80

          "The ancient rabbis, echoed by the Pharisees, restricted the scope of the seventh commandment to the bare act of unlawful intercourse with a married woman."  p. 80

          "So long as the external conduct of its citizens be law-abiding, the State is satisfied, no matter what iniquity may be seething in their minds.  Different far is it with the Judge of all the earth."  p. 80

          "The great Teacher of the Church here supplied us with an invaluable canon of exegisis or rule of interpretation by teaching us that God's commandment "is exceeding broad" (Ps.119:96) and that human language becomes invested with a far fuller and richer meaning when used by God than it has on the lops of men."  p. 81