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Of the Ten Commandments delivered by Moses, nine address external acts. (The tenth concerns coveting, an internal desire.)

But Jesus taught His disciples that God's commands aren't simply to be observed on the surface action level, but must be honored at the deeper intention level. In this passage, Jesus deals in this way with the Seventh Commandment, which requires a husband to be faithful to his wife with his body.

Matthew 5:27-30

1. Why do you think Jesus saw this commandment as falling short of God's holiness requirement?
2. Do you think Jesus was condemning a natural interest in the opposite sex?
3. What about deliberately filling one's mind with fantasies that would be sinful if carried out?
4. How does mental adultery break the trust so vital for a strong marriage?
5. Some Muslim societies incorporate Jesus' words in verses 29–30 literally into their penal codes. Why is this a mistaken application? Could a blind person continue to lust?
6. Taking Jesus' words figuratively, what does need to be removed? What if left unchecked would bring judgment?
7. What painful "gouging" do you need to do?

Ask for God's power to become and remain as mind-faithful to your wife as you are committed to be body-faithful.

27 "You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 So if your eye—even if it is 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 if it is 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."

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

I admit, Lord, that my heart can't be pure if my mind is morally smeared. Help me crowd out the junk with what is "true and honorable and right."

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