Matthew 5 27-28

[MikeRPh]

Regarding Matthew 5:27-28:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

How do we explain to another person what is meant by “looking at a woman with lust”?

 

[puzzleannie]

MikeRPh:

Regarding Matthew 5:27-28:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

How do we explain to another person what is meant by “looking at a woman with lust”?

turn on MTV or HBO

 

[Todd_Easton]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
2351. Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.

 

[Rebecca_New]

In our culture today there are so many things that are considered ok that are really not ok for someone who is trying to live a Christian life. The radio, the tv, the movies, the magazines are all full of deterants. I like all the above and these media routes also have good in them too. I was helped by prayer and the thought that Jesus, being the Total Good, was on the Cross between two criminals. If we become like unto Thee, we can be in this environment without fear of contamination if we are not actively seeking it out.

 

[Mystophilus]

MikeRPh:

Regarding Matthew 5:27-28:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

How do we explain to another person what is meant by “looking at a woman with lust”?

If the other person is a Christian, you could point out the fact that, throughout Scripture, God is far more concerned with attitudes and intentions than with the bare (no pun intended) actions. A similar value is expressed just before the passage which you have mentioned:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment… But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” (Matthew 5:21-2)

It is what is in the heart that counts. Innocently looking at another person in an appreciative manner is one thing, but looking at them with a desire to possess them for your own benefit and regardless of anyone else’s (including theirs or your spouse’s) is, IMHO, self-evidently wrong.