.jpg)
Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the King James Version ( KJV ). Matthew 5:27-30 read as follows:
"27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY: 28 But I say to you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
The same passage from the Holy Bible, referenced in yesterday's weblog posting, is given above.
There are a few additional observations to be made here. To begin with, Jesus ( see Matthew 4:23 ) said, concerning the right eye that offends, to "pluck it out, and cast it from thee" ( see verse twenty-nine above ). The phrase "pluck it out" means "get the sin out of my life": the phrase "cast it from thee" means "out of sight, out of mind," which also means "I will never think about committing this sin again." With this teaching, Jesus set the standard of sexual morality at its utmost height.
What is the significance of this observation? Jesus used His teaching against committing the sin ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, 151, John 17:1, 3, 17, 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, Titus 1:1, 2, and 1 John 3:4, for example ) of adultery in the heart to lead into His teaching against committing the sin of unscriptural divorce ( which we find in verses thirty-one and thirty-two ): in verse thirty-two, He said, "But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." If a husband lusts after a woman who is not his wife, this can lead to unscriptural divorce ( divorce for any reason other than fornication ) from his wife, so that he can "marry" the woman he is lusting after. If there is no sexual immorality involved in the marriage relationship, there is no scriptural reason for divorce ( cf. Malachi 2:16 and Matthew 19:9, for example ): this man's "second marriage" is actually an adulterous relationship ( hence, the use of quotation marks around the word "marry," and the phrase "second marriage" ).
The conclusion, at which we must arrive regarding this context, is that when the sin of adultery in the heart is avoided, the sin of unscriptural divorce will likewise be avoided. Similarly, if pornography ( which is also condemned in the initial passage, given above ) is avoided, then the associated marriage problems will be avoided. Jesus' teaching, as we have just observed, focuses on our thoughts: sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions. Whenever we are tempted to think such thoughts, we must "cast" them from our minds, never again to return. See also Philippians 4:8, for example. Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:21; 11:28, 2 Peter 1:19-21, and Revelation 1:3, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>.
