"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
—Jesus
The heart is central to all things.
I once heard an old pastor teach that a wife is the protector of her husband's heart. He quoted from the book of Genesis (chapter 2:21-24) where God made Adam, and then said, "It is not good for the man to be alone." He then put Adam into a deep sleep and removed one of his ribs. And out of that rib, God created Eve to be Adam's wife.
What physically protects the heart in the human body?
The rib cage.
The rib cage.
That pastor said he believes the rib God specifically removed from Adam, and then made Eve from, was the rib directly over Adam's heart.
God specifically made Eve to be a companion to Adam—to be the protector of her husband's heart.
It is absolutely critical for all Christians that we guard our hearts.
And for those who are married, you are to guard and protect the heart of your husband or wife. For many years, my wife and I have had a saying about our marriage that we are, "two hearts that beat as one."
So, in the context of marriage, since the man and woman "are no longer two, but they are one flesh", when you guard your own heart you are, in a manner of speaking, guarding your spouse's heart at the same time.
And for those who are married, you are to guard and protect the heart of your husband or wife. For many years, my wife and I have had a saying about our marriage that we are, "two hearts that beat as one."
So, in the context of marriage, since the man and woman "are no longer two, but they are one flesh", when you guard your own heart you are, in a manner of speaking, guarding your spouse's heart at the same time.
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Matthew 15:19)
As a new Christian, I remember the first time I heard the passage from Matthew 5 where Jesus says, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart" I thought, 'how can that be?'
How can you be found guilty of adultery simply by looking at a woman that way, but you haven't physically committed the deed itself?
It's because God looks at the heart.
"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
If you hate someone in your heart, to God it's the same as committing murder. If you lust after someone who is not your spouse, Jesus said you have already committed adultery with that person.
The moral of the story, is we must constantly guard our hearts against all attacks and temptations from the enemy of our souls, who daily comes against us, trying to undo what good work God has done, and is doing in our hearts.
How do we do that?
First, we are commanded to flee from youthful lusts.
"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)
So, when sin comes knocking at the door of your heart, don't take a few minutes to examine it, and see if it's as bad as it looks. Get the heck out of there!
And then seek out, and spend quality time with other followers of Christ—with "those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." God designed the Body of Christ to comfort, encourage and even admonish one another when needed.
Lone Ranger Christians don't survive for long out there, alone in a wilderness of self-sufficiency. Wolves or mountain lions always attack the weak or lone sheep at the back of the pack. There's safety in numbers. We need each other.
Also, we must walk in wisdom. As a wise old southern preacher once exhorted,
"If you know sin lies down that street—DON'T GO DOWN THERE!"
We all know what most easily tempts us and trips us up, and we know where it can readily be found. Don't go anywhere near it. The bible says:
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
The first step is to submit (surrender) yourself—your heart—to God. In so doing, you have taken the most important step in resisting the Devil.
Some of the best advice I ever heard given to us as Christians, is that we are never to try and do battle with Satan on our own. He is way more powerful than we are. We need only cling tightly to Jesus, and always keep Him between us and Satan. By doing so, Satan doesn't stand a chance.
You don't have the strength in your flesh to resist the Devil. So, do what Jesus did; quote Scripture at Satan when he tries to tempt you.
"Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But Jesus answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:3-4)
The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)
The Word is also called the "Sword of the Spirit."
"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." (Ephesians 6:16-17)
Too many church goers today place far too little emphasis on the literal reading and observance of the Bible. And they do so to their own hurt. If God says we can 'stand' in the face of spiritual attack by wielding His Word—the Sword of The Spirit—then why would people want to disregard the Bible as not being literal, or relevant for our modern culture?
What we feed our hearts with will determine what our hearts produce.
Fill your heart with God's Word, and mediate (chew on, digest) the things that are true, noble, just and pure.
But if I fill my heart with ungodly thoughts, entertainment, or images, then I am feeding the old sinful nature (the old man) and I will reap corruption.
"For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:8)
A friend once said it this way: "Your old fleshly nature is the black dog, and your new spiritual nature is the white dog. The one you feed is the one that grows."
Finally, the most important and powerful way to guard you heart is through prayer to your Father in Heaven.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
The Bible is full of instances of "if's" and "then's." God often exhorts us, "IF you will do this, THEN I will do that."
Do you want to have the peace of Jesus that far surpasses all understanding?
—Then don't worry about yourself. Be thankful to God and pray and ask Him for His wisdom and strength, and pray for the needs of others, and then He will give you the incomprehensible peace He promises you in His Word.
Do you want God to guard your heart and your mind through Jesus Christ?
—Goes without saying, right?
So, what do you do?
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.
As a new Christian, I remember the first time I heard the passage from Matthew 5 where Jesus says, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart" I thought, 'how can that be?'
How can you be found guilty of adultery simply by looking at a woman that way, but you haven't physically committed the deed itself?
It's because God looks at the heart.
"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
If you hate someone in your heart, to God it's the same as committing murder. If you lust after someone who is not your spouse, Jesus said you have already committed adultery with that person.
The moral of the story, is we must constantly guard our hearts against all attacks and temptations from the enemy of our souls, who daily comes against us, trying to undo what good work God has done, and is doing in our hearts.
How do we do that?
First, we are commanded to flee from youthful lusts.
"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)
So, when sin comes knocking at the door of your heart, don't take a few minutes to examine it, and see if it's as bad as it looks. Get the heck out of there!
And then seek out, and spend quality time with other followers of Christ—with "those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." God designed the Body of Christ to comfort, encourage and even admonish one another when needed.
Lone Ranger Christians don't survive for long out there, alone in a wilderness of self-sufficiency. Wolves or mountain lions always attack the weak or lone sheep at the back of the pack. There's safety in numbers. We need each other.
Also, we must walk in wisdom. As a wise old southern preacher once exhorted,
"If you know sin lies down that street—DON'T GO DOWN THERE!"
We all know what most easily tempts us and trips us up, and we know where it can readily be found. Don't go anywhere near it. The bible says:
"Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
The first step is to submit (surrender) yourself—your heart—to God. In so doing, you have taken the most important step in resisting the Devil.
Some of the best advice I ever heard given to us as Christians, is that we are never to try and do battle with Satan on our own. He is way more powerful than we are. We need only cling tightly to Jesus, and always keep Him between us and Satan. By doing so, Satan doesn't stand a chance.
You don't have the strength in your flesh to resist the Devil. So, do what Jesus did; quote Scripture at Satan when he tries to tempt you.
"Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But Jesus answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:3-4)
The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)
The Word is also called the "Sword of the Spirit."
"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." (Ephesians 6:16-17)
Too many church goers today place far too little emphasis on the literal reading and observance of the Bible. And they do so to their own hurt. If God says we can 'stand' in the face of spiritual attack by wielding His Word—the Sword of The Spirit—then why would people want to disregard the Bible as not being literal, or relevant for our modern culture?
What we feed our hearts with will determine what our hearts produce.
Fill your heart with God's Word, and mediate (chew on, digest) the things that are true, noble, just and pure.
But if I fill my heart with ungodly thoughts, entertainment, or images, then I am feeding the old sinful nature (the old man) and I will reap corruption.
"For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:8)
A friend once said it this way: "Your old fleshly nature is the black dog, and your new spiritual nature is the white dog. The one you feed is the one that grows."
Finally, the most important and powerful way to guard you heart is through prayer to your Father in Heaven.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
The Bible is full of instances of "if's" and "then's." God often exhorts us, "IF you will do this, THEN I will do that."
Do you want to have the peace of Jesus that far surpasses all understanding?
—Then don't worry about yourself. Be thankful to God and pray and ask Him for His wisdom and strength, and pray for the needs of others, and then He will give you the incomprehensible peace He promises you in His Word.
Do you want God to guard your heart and your mind through Jesus Christ?
—Goes without saying, right?
So, what do you do?
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
—God is Love, and Love Never Fails.
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