The topic of adultery for the Pharisees was cloaked in self-deception, and Jesus raises the veil to reveal that God’s law was more than mere obedience to the letter, but must be understood through the spirit of the law. 

Observations & Conclusions:

1. The example of adultery highlights the integrity of your word 
2. The universality of lust unveils that our problem is not sins but sin
3. The severity over lust teaches us the significance of our soul
4. The consequence of lust shows us the graveness of sin
5. The remedy for lust informs our convictions for holiness
6. The loophole around lust tells us that we need God’s help
7. The ugliness of lust reveals to the redeemed the worship of God

Application:

1. By the Spirit’s help, take sin seriously
   – Practice mortification
2. By the Spirit’s help, take lust seriously
   – Practice purity

What do you need to “cut off” from your daily living?
What can you add to your daily habits in holiness?

Romans 7:7-13

“What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.”

Mark 8:36-37

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

Romans 13:11-14

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” – NKJV

Romans 8:13

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Colossians 3:5

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”