Aren't we all committing adultery in our hearts?

[VideoGameJunkie]

Jesus said “that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  (See Matthew 5: 28.)  The Lord also said, “He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath denied the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out.”  (See D&C 42: 23.)

Doesn't that mean everytime we stare at an attractive girl that we're committing adultery in our heart and losing the spirit? That seems pretty extreme, but it's words straight from the Lord.

[carbon dioxide]

Yes and we commit murder in our hearts by hating others and desiring to kill our enemies.  BUT I think doing something in your heart only is far better than actually doing it.  I can promise you that a man's wife will forgive him far faster if he just had some bad thoughts about a woman than if he actually took that woman to a motel.

[Duncan]

Pres. Hugh B. Brown used to say that you can't stop a bird from landing in your tree but you can stop it from nesting-the Lord is against the nesting because that is where the problems happen

[VideoGameJunkie]

12 minutes ago, Duncan said:

Pres. Hugh B. Brown used to say that you can't stop a bird from landing in your tree but you can stop it from nesting-the Lord is against the nesting because that is where the problems happen

Is that why pornography viewing is considered such a serious sin, even for single lonely people? Because in their heart they are committing adultery with the women they view?

[Duncan]

Just now, VideoGameJunkie said:

Is that why pornography viewing is considered such a serious sin, even for single lonely people? Because in their heart they are committing adultery with the women they view?

it's not what goes in that defiles a person it's what goes out, pawno is a gateway to other things

[Calm]

25 minutes ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

Doesn't that mean everytime we stare at an attractive girl that we're committing adultery in our heart and losing the spirit? 

Whew!  Not been tempted like that.  Guess that means I am automatic CK material.   OTOH, a guy with a great backside in some nice looking jeans and button down shirt….

May I suggest trying to stop staring as soon as you notice you are doing it.

[Traela]

DH served in an area where the women had no qualms about taking off their tops.  His mission president advised that the first look was just seeing, the second look was just making sure you saw what you thought you saw, the third look was lust.

 

[JLHPROF]

3 minutes ago, Traela said:

DH served in an area where the women had no qualms about taking off their tops.  His mission president advised that the first look was just seeing, the second look was just making sure you saw what you thought you saw, the third look was lust.

 

Reminds me of a line from "God's Army":

If you don't look once you're not a man.  If you look twice you're not a missionary...

[VideoGameJunkie]

It can be very hard for some single men to tell between lust and love. But love is where it's really at.

[JAHS]

I knew a married guy who used to say, "Just because I'm on a diet doesn't mean I can't look at the menu". His marriage didn't last long.

Here's another one that I remember some general authority said:
"I wouldn't give nickel for a guy who wouldn't look at a pretty girl once. And I wouldn't give a penny for a guy who would look at a pretty girl twice."

[VideoGameJunkie]

I feel it's worse for married men and women to lust after someone else than for a lonely single person. I mean it's still bad either way, but the single men and women are the ones who are out looking for a companion, not the married men and women. They already have their companion.

[strappinglad]

From the strict view of scripture and conservative interpretation Matthew 5:32 has some sobering statements. We in the Church do not follow the Lord's rule as outlined. Also the statement in Eph 5:5 is pretty clear. Can someone tell me what is meant by inordinate affection found in Col 3:6 ?

 

Edited February 27, 2016 by strappinglad

[Garden Girl]

3 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

Jesus said “that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  (See Matthew 5: 28.)  The Lord also said, “He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath denied the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out.”  (See D&C 42: 23.)

Doesn't that mean everytime we stare at an attractive girl that we're committing adultery in our heart and losing the spirit? That seems pretty extreme, but it's words straight from the Lord.

VGJ... There's a big difference between noticing a pretty girl, even staring briefly, and lusting after her... Others here have repeated phrases about looking once, twice and then three times... even if you do a brief double take, it becomes problematic only if you begin to "lust" after her, i.e., by letting your thoughts become carnal, while letting your gaze linger on her... that's lusting vs saying, Wow, there's a real pretty girl...and turning your look and attention away, IMO.

"Lusting" in the dictionary is described as... Intense or unrestrained sexual desire... An overwhelming craving... To have an intense desire, esp. sexual desire.

GG 

Edited February 27, 2016 by Garden Girl

[volgadon]

Perhaps it would help to consider what Jesus is doing here. There is a law or commandment forbidding adultery, right? How do you make it harder to transgress such a commandment? Transfer the prohibition to behaviour which leads to the transgression. In the rabbinic idiom it is termed building a hedge around the law.

[VideoGameJunkie]

8 minutes ago, volgadon said:

Perhaps it would help to consider what Jesus is doing here. There is a law or commandment forbidding adultery, right? How do you make it harder to transgress such a commandment? Transfer the prohibition to behaviour which leads to the transgression. In the rabbinic idiom it is termed building a hedge around the law.

That Jesus guy sure was pretty smart.

[The Nehor]

3 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

Jesus said “that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  (See Matthew 5: 28.)  The Lord also said, “He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath denied the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out.”  (See D&C 42: 23.)

Doesn't that mean everytime we stare at an attractive girl that we're committing adultery in our heart and losing the spirit? That seems pretty extreme, but it's words straight from the Lord.

No, staring might be rude but looking at an attractive woman does not necessarily equal lust. Attraction is not lust. Now if you are undressing them in your mind and fantasizing then yeah, probably. It is also important to note that it is adultery. Does that mean it only applies if you and/or the person you desire is married. He didn't say it meant you committed fornication in your heart. I suspect the counsel was directed at married men.

That is the way I see it anyways. I have felt no divine condemnation for desiring someone as a single person if that desire is wholesome and I am seeking the whole package (marriage, temple sealing, faithfulness, yada yada). I suspect though that even that can be taken too far.

And yeah, porn is unhealthy mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

[Glenn101]

3 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

Jesus said “that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  (See Matthew 5: 28.)  The Lord also said, “He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath denied the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out.”  (See D&C 42: 23.)

Doesn't that mean everytime we stare at an attractive girl that we're committing adultery in our heart and losing the spirit? That seems pretty extreme, but it's words straight from the Lord.

Staring at an attractive girl is not the same as "lusting after in your heart" i.e. wanting to have carnal relations with her. Of course, if you are that afraid, you can put on glasses that do not allow any light to get through and get a seeing eye dog to help you navigate the treacherous sidewalks of life. 

I myself, still like to enjoy the scenery.

Glenn

[The Nehor]

54 minutes ago, volgadon said:

Perhaps it would help to consider what Jesus is doing here. There is a law or commandment forbidding adultery, right? How do you make it harder to transgress such a commandment? Transfer the prohibition to behaviour which leads to the transgression. In the rabbinic idiom it is termed building a hedge around the law.

Well, sometimes it is good. Jesus roundly condemned the Pharisees for doing the same thing with the Law of Moses. I don't think Jesus was building a hedge so much as expanding the law itself. He did not include weasel words about it being for our protection. He made it sound like the thought was damning itself though I do not believe Jesus meant the thought was as damning as the actual act of adultery or as difficult to repent of.

[thesometimesaint]

5 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

Jesus said “that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  (See Matthew 5: 28.)  The Lord also said, “He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath denied the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out.”  (See D&C 42: 23.)

Doesn't that mean everytime we stare at an attractive girl that we're committing adultery in our heart and losing the spirit? That seems pretty extreme, but it's words straight from the Lord.

No. Staring at a attractive person, male or female, isn't committing adultery in your heart. Dwelling on having sex with them is the problem.

[Monster]

We are attracted to each other by lust. Love is not an instant thing generally, but needs to be cultivated. It is the lust that gets us working towards that.

[busybee]

10 hours ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

Jesus said “that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”  (See Matthew 5: 28.)  The Lord also said, “He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath denied the faith, and shall not have the Spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out.”  (See D&C 42: 23.)

Doesn't that mean everytime we stare at an attractive girl that we're committing adultery in our heart and losing the spirit? That seems pretty extreme, but it's words straight from the Lord.

I think it all depends about what is going on in your head when you see an at attractive girl. I don't believe there is anything wrong with noticing an attractive person. I have often pointed out a man who I might find attractive to my husband. And I always tell him 'that guy is almost as handsome as you'.

It is possible to admire someone's looks without 'lusting after them' .

Edited February 27, 2016 by busybee

[volgadon]

7 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Well, sometimes it is good. Jesus roundly condemned the Pharisees for doing the same thing with the Law of Moses. I don't think Jesus was building a hedge so much as expanding the law itself. He did not include weasel words about it being for our protection. He made it sound like the thought was damning itself though I do not believe Jesus meant the thought was as damning as the actual act of adultery or as difficult to repent of.

I'm not sure that you entirely understand the concept. For one, Jesus doesn't condemn this practice. Second, the examples in the Sermon on the Mount fit the practice perfectly.

[consiglieri]

I think that Jesus is addressing a society that accepts Pharisees (among others) as religious leaders.

Jesus considered the Pharisees hypocrites because they would find all sorts of ways around the law.

Here, Jesus may have them in mind as he says the law of Moses proscribes this act, but I say not even to have the thought that leads to the act.

In this way, Jesus can be seen as going behind the law and condemning religious leaders who hypocritically violate the law in order to keep the law.

Modern instances abound.

Even recently.

[volgadon]

44 minutes ago, consiglieri said:

I think that Jesus is addressing a society that accepts Pharisees (among others) as religious leaders.

Jesus considered the Pharisees hypocrites because they would find all sorts of ways around the law.

Here, Jesus may have them in mind as he says the law of Moses proscribes this act, but I say not even to have the thought that leads to the act.

In this way, Jesus can be seen as going behind the law and condemning religious leaders who hypocritically violate the law in order to keep the law.

Modern instances abound.

Even recently.

Jesus was going behind the law and condemning religious leaders who hypocritically violate the law in order to keep the law by interpreting the law to keep it the same way as said religious leaders?

[ttribe]

Yes...every time I look at one of these (below).  Every.Single.Time.