A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

WHAT A LOOK CAN DO  

Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” 

King David, from the roof of his palace “. . . saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.” (2 Samuel 11:2-4) 

David’s sin began with a look. For a man to look at the beauty of a woman, one of God’s creations, is not a sin in and of itself. The same can be said for a woman looking at a handsome man. When looking turns to lust or actual sexual intercourse outside of marriage, God’s forbidden line has been crossed. David crossed that line. 

The verb in today’s devotional verse is a future indicative. However, it has the force of an imperative verb. In other words, Jesus is giving a strong statement in regard to the purity that God demands in His Sixth Commandment. To look with lust or to go to any point beyond that is in God’s sight committing the sin of adultery. 

On another occasion Jesus taught that sins of thought and deed flow out of a person’s heart. He said, “ . . . out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person . . . “ Matthew 15:19-20) That is why after Nathan the prophet confronted David concerning his sin of adultery with Bathsheba, David pleaded with God, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12) 

David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is one for your prayer life as well.   

Prayer: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12) 

Lord Jesus, think on me And purge away my sins,  
From worldly passions set me free And make me pure within. 

Lord Jesus, think on me, By anxious thoughts oppressed,  
Let me Your loving servant be And taste Your promised rest. 

Lord Jesus, think on me Amid the battle’s strife;  
In all my pain and misery, O be my health and life! 

Lord Jesus, think on me Not let me go astray;  
Through darkness and perplexity Point out Your chosen way. 

Lord Jesus, think on me That, when this life is past,  
I may the eternal brightness see And share Your joy at last.  (LSB 610)