The Sermon on the Mount (12): If Your Right Eye Causes You to Sin
Jesus continues His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount by moving from murder to adultery. In Matthew 5:27–30, He warns that lustful looks and thoughts are equivalent to adultery in the heart. He also speaks of tearing out one’s eye or cutting off a hand if they cause sin. At first, these words sound shocking, but Jesus is using hyperbole to stress the seriousness of sin. He is not promoting self-mutilation but calling His disciples to radical discipline and purity of heart.
Sin of the Heart
Just as anger is like murder in the heart, lust is adultery in the heart. Sin does not begin with outward acts but in the mind and imagination. Every immoral act starts with an immoral thought or look. Jesus is pressing His followers to examine not only their actions but their inner life—their attitudes, desires, and intentions.
The Bible is clear that sex is a gift of God within marriage. Scripture even celebrates intimacy between husband and wife, as in the Song of Solomon. But when sex is removed from marriage, it becomes destructive. A strong marriage is not built on physical attraction alone but also on unity of mind and spirit. Spiritual harmony, emotional connection, and physical attraction together form a healthy foundation. If the physical becomes the primary focus, the relationship will collapse like a house without a foundation.
Guarding the Eyes and Imagination
Jesus highlights the “eye-gate”—what enters through our eyes shapes our thoughts. We know the difference between noticing something and letting our eyes linger with desire. The moment of decision is short, but it sets the course of the heart. To guard the eyes is to guard the soul.
Imagination is a gift from God, but it can be misused. It can create beauty in art, music, and worship, or it can be twisted into lust and fantasy. Sin deceives us by showing pleasure while hiding consequences. A wise safeguard is to ask: “Where will this lead? Is there any future in this?” Redirecting imagination toward gratitude and prayer transforms temptation into spiritual strength.
Conviction and Temptation
Jim Wood, in Discerning the Difference: Victory in Spiritual Warfare, distinguishes between conviction and condemnation, real guilt and false guilt, temptation and sin, attraction and lust. These differences matter. Being tempted is not sin—Jesus was tempted but did not sin. Finding someone attractive is natural; indulging lust is sin. Recognizing these distinctions helps us respond to temptation with clarity rather than confusion.
Jesus’ teaching reminds us that God’s presence is constant. A man who excuses sin when alone forgets that he is never truly alone—God is always with him. If we lived with a constant awareness of His presence, our choices would look very different.
Hyperbole for Holiness
Jesus’ references to tearing out eyes and cutting off hands use dramatic language to stress radical avoidance of sin. In history, some, like Origen of Alexandria, took these words literally, even mutilating themselves. Later, the church condemned such practices, recognizing they misunderstood Jesus’ intent.
Instead, Jesus calls for mortification—the putting to death of sinful desires by decisive choices. If something leads you toward sin, treat it as though you cannot touch, see, or go there. Each person must know his or her own weaknesses and set boundaries accordingly.
Boundaries and Self-Discipline
Creating a personal “rule of life” is wise. For example, avoiding television alone while traveling can reduce exposure to temptation. Others might need to avoid certain shows, websites, or places. These boundaries may look different for each person, but they serve the same purpose: to guard against sin and strengthen the will to obey God.
Avoiding sin, however, is not enough. The Christian life is not merely saying “no” to temptation but saying “yes” to Christ. Pursuing what is good naturally displaces what is evil. By treasuring Christ, valuing family, and cultivating gratitude, believers are strengthened against temptation.
Eternity Versus Temporary Pleasure
Jesus insists that eternity matters more than passing pleasures. Choosing temporary gratification at the cost of eternal joy is a poor trade. Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our minds on things above, and Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think on what is true, noble, and pure. These disciplines reshape our thoughts and desires, making it easier to resist temptation.
Every choice shapes character. Small compromises open doors to larger failures. Jesus taught that faithfulness in small things is linked to faithfulness in greater things. To resist temptation, ask: “Do I want this to become part of who I am?” Such questions keep us oriented toward God’s best.
True Freedom
Freedom is not doing whatever we want, nor is it legalistic restriction. True freedom is the power to do what pleases God. It flows from trust in His sovereignty and goodness. Believing He is in control and wants what is best for us gives us the strength to obey Him, even when temptation presses hard.
Jesus’ radical call to purity is not meant to burden us but to free us. By guarding our hearts and eyes, setting wise boundaries, and pursuing what is eternal, we grow into true freedom—the freedom to live in a way that honors Him.
To explore the Sermon on the Mount more deeply and discover how to thoughtfully answer the questions below, subscribe to Ken Boa Reflections on Substack.
Questions for Reflection
- Guarding Your Heart and Eyes: Jesus teaches that lustful thoughts are as serious as actions (Matthew 5:27-30). What are some practical ways you can “guard your eye-gate” in everyday situations, like at school or online, to keep your thoughts pure? How can you plan ahead to avoid temptation?
- Pursuing What’s Good: Ken Boa suggests that focusing on loving Jesus and valuing your relationships helps you avoid sin naturally. How can you actively “set your mind on things above” (Colossians 3:2) in your daily life to replace tempting thoughts with positive ones, like gratitude or worship?
- Setting Personal Boundaries: Boa talks about setting a personal “rule of life,” like avoiding TV alone while traveling. What personal boundaries could you set to protect yourself from temptation? How can you identify your own weaknesses to make wise choices?
- Choosing Eternity Over Temporary Pleasures: Jesus emphasizes choosing eternity over fleeting pleasures. When faced with temptation, how can you remind yourself to focus on what lasts forever, like your relationship with God or others? What questions (e.g., “Is there a future in this?” or “Do I want this to shape my character?”) can help you make God-honoring decisions?
