Read the Word:
Matthew 5:27-30
Meditate on the Word:
There is a popular children’s song that goes, “Be careful little eyes what you see.” This same song also reminds us, “be careful little ears what you hear,” and “be careful little feet where you go.” For such simple lyrics made for and sung by children, these carry a great theological truth. We cannot simply watch, listen, and go to the things and places of this world without endangering ourselves. Or as Jesus says to the adults in the room, “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (5:28)
Most of us probably apply this to ogling a woman on the street or looking at pornography. However, there is much in this world that is designed to encourage us toward lust. Have you seen the scenes that air in regular television programming lately? Have you noticed that it’s often not enough for a singer to have great talent; he or she must be perceived as desirable sexually. I once listened to a podcast host discuss why he had quit Instagram: his feed had become so “pornographied” that it was encouraging him lust every time he opened it.
Of course, Jesus’ whole point was that sins (murder, adultery, hatred, etc.) begin in the heart. The seeds are there as part of our sinful human nature. We cannot completely root them out on this side of eternity. We can, however, refuse to water them and allow them to grow. So, think of Jesus’ words the next time you are deciding what to look at.
Pray the Word:
Ask our Lord to reveal to you any sins of the eyes that are in your life. Repent of them.
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