Week 7 (12 Feb) Day 3

Matthew 5.27-30

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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 right hand causes you to stumble, 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 go into hell.

---

Personal Reflections By the phrase “you have heard it said …” Jesus is now “raising the bar” regarding adultery. Not only should one not actually commit adultery, but he also demands that we do not do so in our hearts and minds. The text dictates that we take such a serious view of it that we are prepared to take all measures to eradicate such careless and flippant thoughts and behaviour.

While we may not literally gouge out our own eye or cut off our own hand, it does mean taking appropriate and decisive actions that will enable obedience. What are some corrective as well as proactive actions that you as a disciple of Christ need to take to adopt a right relationship with persons of the opposite gender? What are behaviours (such as casual flirting, pornography etc) that you need to amend in order to follow the spirit of Jesus’ teaching?