Main Scripture Reference - Matthew 5:27-30

Other Scripture References: Genesis 2:18, 24-25; Genesis 3:6; Proverbs 9:17-18; Colossians 2:8; II Corinthians 10:5; Matthew 5:8, 48; Matthew 6:22-23; II Timothy 2:22

THE PROBLEM–‘Lust’Read Matthew 5:27-30; Genesis 2:18, 24-25, Genesis 3:6

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus redefines the 7th commandment, “don’t commit adultery,” to also include the mental act of lust, because lust also has the destructive potential to dismantle the most basic unit of society, the family. God’s design of marriage includes boundaries to protect and provide for deep intimacy and life long bond between a man and a woman. But lust, with its seductive draw as forbidden fruit can and does destroy this sacred bond. Ultimately lust is irrational and causes people to step outside of God’s design. And anytime you do that the consequences are deadly. Read Proverbs 9:17-18.

• Name the people with whom you have the deepest bonds and real heart commitment. How did you get to that level with them?


• How have you seen or experienced this somewhat irresistible force of lust at work?


• Have you ever broken any trust with someone whom you loved? What happened to that relationship?

THE BATTLEGROUND–‘Your Mind’Read Colossians 2:8 & II Corinthians 10:5

The real battleground in this issue of lust and adultery is the mind, because it is in the mind where the values of the culture are being waged. You have to realize that cultural forces and the power of “group think” can change the mindset and traditions of society, including the understanding and practice of sexuality. The current cultural mindset is determined to not only define your sexual value, but to define how to best practice sex, and it usually doesn’t include the intimate, committed, married relationship that God designed. In the battle of the mind you must throw off this ‘group think’ mindset and put everything into living the way God has set it forth, because in the end only God’s design will work.

• How are God’s protective boundaries for relationships and marriage being broken or destroyed by what you see and hear from the culture?


• How does the modern day culture define sexual value? How has that model shaped what you do and how you act?


• Name the ways you are protecting yourself for the onslaught of sex and lust in everyday life?

THE GOAL–‘Purity in Heart’Read Matthew 5:8, 48; Matthew 6:22-23 & II Timothy 2:22

In order to change or maintain purity in your heart, you’ve got to become extremely proactive in how you live your life. Jesus says that the windows to the soul are the eyes, so the first thing you need to do is keep a close watch on what you see and pursue. Secondly, you must make sure you are fleeing from those unhealthy behaviors and questionable relationships. In fact Jesus makes an emphatic statement to cut and run from those things so that lust and adultery can never have a hold on you. Finally, you must continually pursue godliness in all you do, whether preparing for marriage, or maintaining and repairing a marriage, sticking with your well defined concrete barriers of life and relationships.

• Do you do a good job monitoring what you watch and how you let the culture invade your spirit? What is one thing you need to cut out and run from?


• Name those concrete boundaries you have in your life, your ‘always’ and ‘nevers’. What area/s do you need to build stronger boundaries?


• If you are single, how are you being proactive in ensuring a Christ centered intimate relationship in the future? If you are married, how are you building that same kind of relationship with your spouse?