"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matthew 5:27-30

Once again Jesus contrasts what people have heard other people say with what Jesus, who is Almighty God, says. Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

As with His words connecting murder with sinful anger, here Jesus connects adultery with lustful thoughts. Again, we are reminded that while all sins are not equally damaging, they are equally damning. Clearly, the harm done by physical acts of adultery and their ramifications are worse than mere lustful thoughts. However, in God’s eyes, because sinful actions begin in the heart, the heart deserves condemnation for contemplating adultery, even if one does not commit the act.

The fact that sin is universal does nothing to minimize its damning effect. So to say, “Everybody has had lustful thoughts,” does nothing to reduce the penalty for breaking the sixth of the Ten Commandments regarding adultery, whether physically or mentally. Rather, it serves only to underscore the fact that everyone is condemned by their sin.

Is it true that “everybody does it?” Next time…