“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.”
Matthew 5:27–28 

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Imagine this: You discover that candy, previously missing, is now found under your little boy’s bed. For the last week you’ve been asking your family about the whereabouts of this gourmet candy that was a special gift from a friend, and everyone seemed as though they had no idea. And, not only did your son never admit to taking it, he also ate it and left the wrappers behind as proof of his actions—what an oblivious thief, and what a stinker (as we call it in our house!) 

The act of taking the candy and the denial of his actions are both frustrating to you, but they originate from deeper, unseen places within him that concern you even more. Why did he feel like he needed to take the candy rather than just ask for some? Why did he never tell the truth when you asked about it? Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:27–28 expand on the understanding of sin, teaching that sin begins with the heart and mind, and is not just in our actions. 

Taking candy may seem trivial in comparison to adultery (in our verse of the day) but the underlying principle is the same. Jesus teaches us that we are not only to avoid sin but also seek to form a heart that honors God in every way. 

In the Old Testament, people followed commands carefully—they would avoid clothes of mixed fibers, not eat bacon, and some would not cut their hair. After trying their best to keep all of these commands, they would often still have a hardened heart and not be in touch with God. Is the same true of us?

The challenge—and invitation—is to constantly review the state of our heart. And we don’t have to do it alone. The church provides the opportunity to connect in a community of faith and open ourselves up to trusted friends who can help us stay aligned to God in both our actions and our postures. 

Next Steps

Practice the spiritual act of confession by what has been called “spiritual breathing.” We identify and recognize our sin and confess it—exhale—then fill ourselves with truth and the Holy Spirit—inhale.