Matthew 5:27-32

I. The Old Testament (Matthew 5:27)

A. Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:8-9)
B. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14)
C. The punishment (Deuteronomy 22:22; cf. John 8:3-11)

II. The root cause of adultery: lust (Matthew 5:28)

A. “Jesus goes behind the act and legislates against the thoughts which precede the act” (Boles)
B. We must control our desires and even our thoughts (2 Cor. 10:4-6)
C. We must be careful not to be a stumbling block for others (Romans 14:13)

III. Avoid sin at all costs! (Matthew 5:29-30)

A. The result of sin is devastating (Isaiah 59:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
B. We must not put ourselves in compromising situations (1 Corinthians 15:33; Genesis 39:12; 2 Timothy 2:22)

IV. Divorce (Matthew 5:31-32)

A. What the Old Testament says (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:16)
B. What Jesus says (Matthew 19:4-9)
C. God allows divorce and subsequent marriage only when the divorce is sought because of adultery (Matthew 19:9)