"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." vs27-28

If we look at a woman lustfully, then we’ve committed adultery in our heart. This stops the proud boasting of anyone looking upon the sexual immorality of others. I don’t have to be a porn star to be a lustful and disobedient child of Satan. I don’t have to do the act, because God judges by the heart - the intents and the motives. 1 Samuel 16:7 - "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.""

Let us put away our proud religion: We are NO BETTER than anyone else. If we are saved, it is sovereign mercy. God chose us, saved us, and redeemed us. He washed us from our sins with his blood, gave us the Spirit freely, and he forgave us, not because we are better than others, but because of distinguishing grace. We are kept by the power of God, or we’d fall back into sin and despair: We can’t boast about a thing.

This will cause us to preach Christ to sinners, and help them out of their mess, because the wrath of God is coming. Romans 1:18 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." People talk about Romans 1 sins, but so few talk about Romans 2. Romans 2:1 - "Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things." All self righteousness and all hypocrisy will be punished in the same hell as the vilest homosexual reprobate. In fact, the sins of Romans 1 extend far further than sexual immorality! Romans 1:29 - "They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips," The hope for mankind is Christ: it is not morality.

Secondly, it is better that we fight sin with all our heart, than to be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:29 - "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell."

This is done by confession. Sin is cleansed by confession; it is saying, “My sin is horrible, and there’s nothing that I can do about it. I need Your mercy more than life. I must be forgiven and cleansed, or I perish.” The Bible teaches that God will hear the poor in spirit who mourn over our sins. We submit to God’s word, God’s judgment, and God’s timing. Nothing is in our hands. Cry out for mercy as one undeserving of mercy, and trust in mercy to come.

Eradicate sin from your heart. The Bible does not teach that because we’re justified by faith, elect, and forgiven, that we have a right to continue in sin. God forbid. That is the doctrine of devils who have no hope. They want to deceive us and take away our hope, so that we perish. No, fight for cleansing. Deal with temptation in your heart. Don’t walk around as a lustful creature. You violate the commandment to love. Romans 13:10 - "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

Trust God for the Holy Spirit, until your soul is clean. Lust is replaced with love, and then you’ll have peace. The Holy Spirit can do it: He has the power as God. Do not fear or be enslaved. Do not say, “This is normal.” There is a much better life for us in Christ. Self control extends to the heart.

Thirdly, you don’t want to go to hell when you die. Matthew 5:30 - "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."

John Calvin says a person is never truly humbled until faced with death. All of us must understand that after death comes the Judgment. Hebrews 9:27 - "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," God is not bluffing, and he’s not merely advising. He is saying there is an OR ELSE! There are grievous consequences for our sins.

To be in hell is to never get out; it is to suffer forever! It is the worst place imaginable! How can we squander our eternal souls? The demons have a few thousand years to rebel, but what is that in the light of eternity? Even now, they are bound by fear and trembling, in chains of darkness. They have no rest, knowing that their doom is sure. Do not join their deception. Hell is prepared for those who love iniquity, just like devils. Matthew 25:41 - ""Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Unlike devils, however, we have repentance preached to us, and God is willing to forgive our sins.

Take advantage of this mercy: it is the greatest offer that could ever be extended; it is the most beneficial command. Come to the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will save you from your lustful heart. Do not coddle it. Do not say, “I love sin more than my soul, and I do not want heaven. I will not have Christ to rule over me.” There are consequences for this poor decision, and they are eternal. Escape while you can, poor sinner! Take the warnings seriously. It is better for us to repent.

We can come to Christ. We don’t have to cleanse ourselves. We can admit that we are sinners, trust in Jesus, and he will help us.