Top X July 21, 2025 Devotional

MATTHEW 5:27-30 | ²⁷ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

When lust rules appreciation of another wanes. Sexual connections are meant to enhance and express genuine intimacy. In real intimacy, we know and love someone's character, personality, and entire self — not just their body. Jesus forbids us to imagine possessing someone to whom we are not fully committed, whom we don't truly know in a complete way, because when we do, we lessen them, making them a mere object of our own desire. This teaching is also preventative, since imagination almost always precedes action in sexual matters. Eros, or physical attraction must be accompanied by friendship, supportive and encouraging love, and by agape, unconditional commitment to another's good. Otherwise, the pleasurable displaces the profound, and we damage both ourselves and our true capacity for intimate love.

Do you think our culture has a distorted view of sexuality and desire?

Gracious God,

May the thoughts of my mind and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight.

Amen.