Be Careful Little Eyes What You See
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Please turn in your Bible to Exodus 20:14 as we consider Be Careful Little Eyes What You See.
Our present culture is inundated with visual content. And that is because many people (myself included) are visual learners. We respond best to visual stimulation. That, in part, is why I prepare PowerPoint presentations to go along with my sermons.
Sadly, people have learned the power of using visual things in order to appeal to the baser part of our human nature. Just drive around the expressways in a big city and you will see billboard after billboard marketing their product with a seductive picture. Just watch TV and you will find marketers using sex-appeal to sell a product which has nothing to do with sex. And, sadly, that is because sex sells.
It is no wonder that when I was a child, Sunday School teachers, and children’s church teachers would sing this song:
O be careful little eyes what you see!
O be careful little eyes what you see!
For the Father up above is looking down in love,
O be careful little eyes what you see!
Sometimes I think that this song should be emphasized with teens and adults as well.
Today, our study of the Ten Words/Ten Commandments brings us to the seventh commandment. And this may be the commandment in which our society tries the hardest to get us to break.
As we consider this commandment we will look at the definition, as well as the internal and spiritual applications of this command.
Let’s read our passage together.
“You shall not commit adultery.
Let’s begin by looking at
The Definition of Adultery
The Definition of Adultery
I got a kick out what J. I. Packer wrote at the beginning of his study on the seventh commandment: “When I was very young and first met the text of the seventh commandment, I thought (believe it or not) that adultery meant simply a grown-up way of behaving.” (J. I. Packer, Keeping the Ten Commandments (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2007), 83.)
One of the reasons this was funny to me was that when Gail and I were first married, her youngest sister, who was about 11 at the time, became embarrassed when the adults in the room laughed at her about something which was beyond a child’s understanding. And her response was that they shouldn’t laugh at her since she wasn’t into adultery yet! Meaning she wasn’t an adult.
But obviously the prohibition in this commandment doesn’t refer to becoming a mature adult. It refers to what Tim Lahaye used to refer to as the act of marriage — but outside of the marriage bonds.
Note that,
Adultery is Extra-Marital Sexual Activity
Douglas Stuart explained adultery this way: “No one is allowed to have sex with any married person except his or her spouse, and no married person is allowed to have sex with anyone other than his or her spouse.” (Douglas K. Stuart, Exodus, vol. 2, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2006), 463.)
So, in other words, adultery is a violation of the marriage covenant. And two persons who are not married cannot, technically, commit adultery with each other. Of course, under the fourth rule of interpreting the ten commandments — the rule in which each commandment deals with a whole category of sins — sexual activity by unmarried persons is still covered by this prohibition.
Let’s consider
The Distinction Between Adultery and Fornication
The Distinction Between Adultery and Fornication
The basic distinction between adultery and fornication is that adultery is a narrower version of fornication. Fornication refers to any sexual activity outside of the boundaries of the marriage covenant, while adultery refers specifically to married people having sex with one who is not their spouse. Fornication covers premarital sex in all of its various forms, as well as homosexual activity. It also covers the act of self-gratification of a persons sexual desires (in other words, masturbation).
Note that,
The Difference in Penalty is the Biggest Distinction
The biggest distinction between adultery and fornication is seen in the penalty which God brought upon the guilty parties in the nation of Israel.
Look at the penalty for adultery:
“If a man is found lying with a married woman, then both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman; thus you shall purge the evil from Israel.
Both the male and the female who committed adultery were to be executed for their sin. This should give us some insight into the incident recorded in John 8, in which a woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus, as the Pharisees questioned Him about what should be done with her. The question that always comes to my mind is, where is the man? They were both guilty!
Since God prescribed capital punishment for adulterers, we know that He considered this sin to be extremely serious.
Let’s look at what the penalty was for premarital sex in the OT.
“If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged, and seizes her and lies with her and they are discovered, then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall become his wife because he has violated her; he cannot divorce her all his days.
In the parallel account in Exodus the father has the right to refuse marriage. But the man still has to pay the fine.
Let’s consider
The Rationale for this Commandment
The Rationale for this Commandment
Why is there such a distinction between two similar forms of sin? It has to do with keeping a covenant.
Remember, these ten commandments are the covenant stipulations which God is making with the nation of Israel whom He had delivered out of bondage to Egypt. And He had commanded them to forsake all other gods and to keep themselves wholly unto Him. Which is pretty much the same thing which married couples covenant to do for each other.
Note that,
The Rationale Behind this Commandment is that God Ordained the Marriage Bed as the Place of Sexual Union
At the time in which God created mankind, He ordained Holy Matrimony. Look at
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Look next at
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.
The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.
The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.
The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
As Jesus neared the end of His earthly ministry, He was questioned by the Pharisees if it was permissible to divorce one’s wife for any reason at all. Jesus then said this in reply:
And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female,
and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
That concept of one flesh is very important. It not only speaks of a sexual union, but also of a mysterious union in which two become one. And this very union pictures the union between Christ as the bridegroom and the church, His bride.
The Pharisees went on with their questioning of Jesus. Look at
They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give her a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way.
And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
First of all, Moses never command that a husband give his wife a certificate of divorce. That was a twisting of God’s Word. And Jesus seems to have inferred as much when He stated that Moses permitted it. In truth it was God who permitted it, and Moses was His messenger.
Second, the passage which the Pharisees were referring to (Deut. 24:1-4) was not focused on divorce but remarriage. A husband who discovered that his new wife was not a virgin could issue her a certificate of divorce. He was not required to divorce her, but he had a biblical reason for divorce. If she then went and married another man and became single again, either as a widow or divorcee, the first husband was not allowed to remarry her since she had been defiled by her second marriage. Because she was the guilty party in the divorce, as soon as she consummated her marriage to another man, she was an adulterer in God’s eyes.
Third, Jesus provided an exception clause regarding marriage for life. If one of the partners was guilty of sexual infidelity, then divorce was permissible. And in such a case, the offended party is not guilty of adultery if they remarry.
The main point however, is that God’s intention was for marriage to be until death do us part.
Interestingly enough, there was a time in which the church consider sexual activity within marriage to be a necessary evil.
Philip Ryken wrote, “Prior to the Reformation the church generally regarded sex—even within marriage—as a necessary evil. Tertullian regarded the extinction of the human race as preferable to procreation. Ambrose said that married couples ought to be ashamed of their sexuality. Augustine was willing to admit that intercourse might be lawful but taught that sexual passion was always a sin. Many priests counseled couples to abstain from sex altogether. The Catholic church gradually began to prohibit sex on certain holy days, so that by the time of Martin Luther, the list had grown to 183 days a year.” (Philip Graham Ryken and R. Kent Hughes, Exodus: Saved for God’s Glory (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005), 627.)
This was a little surprising to read. I mean, what did they do with God’s blessing of holy matrimony, and His telling the first couple to be fruitful and multiply?
Ryken went on to say, “Thank God for the Reformation, which began to restore sexual sanity by celebrating the physical act of lovemaking within marriage. According to my father (Leland Ryken), “The Puritan doctrine of sex was a watershed in the cultural history of the West. The Puritans devalued celibacy, glorified companionate marriage, affirmed married sex as both necessary and pure, established the ideal of wedded romantic love, and exalted the role of the wife.” In other words, they promoted a more Biblical view of human sexuality.” (Philip Graham Ryken and R. Kent Hughes, Exodus: Saved for God’s Glory (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005), 627.)
I had to look up that term “companionate marriage.” It was not a part of my vocabulary. It refers to a marriage relationship which is based on affection, friendship, and yes, sexual gratification.
I have to tell you that talking about sex is way out of my comfort zone. But the Bible does not avoid the topic. As a matter of fact it celebrates sexual union within the marriage. Just read Proverbs 5 or the Song of Solomon, and you will find that the Holy Spirit drove at least one biblical writer to get very explicit in his writing.
The writer of Hebrew wrote,
Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Let’s move on to consider what I’m calling
Internal Adultery
Internal Adultery
Look at our text,
“You shall not commit adultery.
Note that,
Imagination Can be a Wonderful Thing, But it can also be a Very Destructive Power-Source
On the positive side, imagination has led to the invention of such things as the harnessing of electricity for everyday use. Or the telephone. Or the light bulb. For that matter, it probably led to the invention of the wheel! Writers can capture the imagination of their readers by taking them to unknown worlds. There is so much good which can come through imagination.
Sadly, there is just as much evil which can come from it as well. The plans for Hitler’s Holocaust were worked out originally in his imagination. The plans for last months attack on Israel by Hamas began with imagination. Truthfully, we could argue that Satan appealed to Eve’s imagination when he tempted her to eat of the forbidden fruit.
Most men can imagine having inappropriate relations with a woman, and this is very destructive. I have to believe that Satan was behind the advent of modern day pornography — not that pornography is all that new. But it is now so easily accessible via the internet.
In the early part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus referred to what I am calling internal adultery. He said:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
I can honestly say that, physically speaking, I have been faithful to my marriage vows. As a matter of fact I kept myself from having a sexual relationship with any woman until our wedding day. But internally, I was guilty of internal adultery long before I even met my future bride. Sadly, this is the case for most men — and women are not exempt from this either. We don’t have to see a person naked to imagine what they might look like. And we don’t have to actually get involved with them in an intimate way to imagine what it might be like.
If you turn to romance novels to find the romance which you have never experienced, then you have broken this commandment internally. If you use pornography to find sexual pleasure, then you have broken this commandment, and some would say your wedding vows as well. If you use your imagination to dream of what it would be like to be with a different person, then you have broken the seventh commandment.
You see, there is nothing easy about keeping the Ten Commandments.
Fortunately, there is forgiveness to be found at the cross of Christ when we fall into sin of any kind. We are told by the writer of Hebrews:
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
That time of need may be when we are going through the temptation. But it may also be when we have failed to stand against temptation. Jesus is sympathetic with our weaknesses. And boy, oh boy, sometimes we have a lot of weaknesses!
Who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that having died to sin, we might live to righteousness; by His WOUNDS YOU WERE HEALED.
While I often cry out with Paul, what a wretched man I am, I am so thankful that there in now no condemnation because I am in Christ. This does not give me a license to sin — rather, it gives me a desire to put to death the deeds of the flesh.
Let’s move on to consider
Spiritual Adultery
Spiritual Adultery
Let’s look at our text once again.
“You shall not commit adultery.
Note that,
Spiritual Adultery is Unfaithfulness to God
It is having an undue fondness for the things of the world. Through Jeremiah God said,
“Surely, as a woman treacherously departs from her lover, So you have dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel,” declares the Lord.
If you are not familiar with the Book of Hosea, you should read it. When you do you will learn that God had the prophet Hosea marry a woman of harlotry, and have children of harlotry. This was to demonstrate the flagrant harlotry which Israel committed in forsaking the Lord and worshiping other gods.
The thing is, that we are prone to have an undue fondness for the things of the world. If that were not the case then the Holy Spirit would not have moved John to write the following:
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
When we love the world with an undue love we commit spiritual adultery. When allow anything to be more important to us than God is, we commit spiritual adultery.
Last week I mentioned that every commandment is both positive and negative. What is the positive side of the commandment to not commit adultery? Here are just a few of the positives.
We Should Keep our Marriage Vows
We Should Guard our Hearts and our Minds
We Should Practice Self-Control
We Should Cultivate our Love for God
How can we help one another keep the seventh commandment?
Women can help men by dressing modestly. Thankfully, you ladies here do that very thing. I can’t remember ever seeing a lady at this church dressed in an immodest way.
Men you can help your wives be being their confidante and companion. If you truly listen to them when they talk to you then they won’t have the need to make another person (especially another man) their confidante. Of course, husbands the best help you can give to your wives is to love them sacrificially as Christ loved the church.
Mark Hall from the group Casting Crowns wrote,
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands
As darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you
That are sure to follow
It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white have turned to grey
And thoughts invade, choices made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade
It's a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise
The end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises
Lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white have turned to grey
And thoughts invade, choices made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
And it's a slow fade
When you give yourself away
It's a slow fade
When black and white have turned to grey
And thoughts invade, choices made
A price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day (slow fade)
Daddies never crumble in a day (slow fade)
Families never crumble in a day
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Are you beginning to get the sense of just how sinful we each are? Are you understanding the impossibility of pleasing God in our own fleshly effort? If so, then the Ten Commandments are having a positive effect on you. These commandments are meant to drive us to the foot of the cross and to embrace the One who did please the Father in everything He did. Jesus Christ always did and still does that which pleases the Father. And the amazing thing is that when we embrace Him as our Lord and Savior, His righteous actions are accredited to our account. He became sin so that we would become righteous — not a righteousness of our own derived from the law, but a righteousness that is by faith in Christ.
Let’s pray.
Father in Heaven,
Hallowed by Your name. Lord, we confess that we do not always hallow Your name as we ought. Often we hallow ourselves rather than You. We make ourselves to be our god rather You! Forgive us for this.
Lord, empower us by Your Holy Spirit to be faithful to our spouse physically, emotionally, internally, and spiritually. Empower us to be faithful to You in these ways as well.
Father, I pray for any who are not believers in Jesus Christ, that this would be the day in which You make them alive in Christ.
In His name I pray. Amen.
Closing Song: #526
The Solid Rock
My hope is built on nothing les than Jesus blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.