“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:2-28

While visiting the Museum of the Bible one of the featured exhibits was.a misprinted Bible called “The Wicked Bible.” You might ask how it earned the name. It turns out that there is a misprint found in the Ten Commandments. Instead of printing “You shall not commit adultery,” the printer published “You shall commit adultery.” It was only the omission of a single word, but that was a big one.

Misprint or not, there are consequences to adultery, but again, Jesus raises the standard because adultery begins in the heart. As is often the case, adultery begins with a lustful look and today’s infiltration of pornography presents more challenges.

According to Barna Research in 2024, “Porn consumption is no longer confined to a specific demographic or subculture,” the report said. “It touches all segments of society (from young to old) with no regard to gender, social status or religious beliefs.”

The report also indicates 62% of Christians believe viewing the regular viewing of pornography as consistent with a healthy sexual life. The article from Christianity Today continues with this quote –

“It’s just not a big deal to them … there’s no sense of urgency whatsoever,” said Sean McDowell, a professor at Biola University and host of the Think Biblically podcast. “I think this is an example where people are taking their cues far more from the culture and the ideas around us than Scripture and their Christian worldview.”

What did Jesus say? He seriously warned against the very thing many are rationalizing as normal today. Jesus stressed the importance of the issue by using hyperbole in his next comments –

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Matthew 5: 29-30

Jesus isn’t suggesting here that we should maim ourselves. He is saying we should do what is necessary to avoid falling into the trap of lust. What kind of action should someone take today?