Matthew 5:28-30 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Thrusting out the eye:
It is unthinkable that a person would actually thrust out their eye in order to prevent lusting. If Jesus, meant this as literal He would have said thrust out both eyes. However, we know that even blinding oneself would not prevent lusting – lust comes from the heart and mind. We can never unsee images – they will forever be in the photo file of our minds. (Story of woman with slab of concrete on her leg Commands of Christ book one pg. 83)
Consequences of lusting:
Lust is not a victimless crime – there are mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and financial consequences that affect us, our family, future generations and the church. Rom 14:7 When a person views pornography they defile their minds and engrave images upon their minds that cannot be blocked. They also open the door to spiritual attacks from the enemy upon their family – visiting of iniquities. They also open the umbrella of protection they may have for their family, church or business. They also open their self for spiritual and emotional addiction to lusting.
Significance of right eye:
The word for right is dexios and is derived from the word meaning to receive. It is through the eye gate that we receive good and evil which then affects our hands and feet.as well as the entire body Matt 6:22. The eye is also used figuratively in reference to judging another Matt 7:5. One of the worst things is we train our eyes to focus on delusions and blind us to the consequences Jam 1:14-15. Peter suggests if we do not focus on adding spiritual qualities to our life we are blind 2 Pet 1:9. Peter also suggests that when we fill our eyes with lust we cannot cease from sin 2 Pet 2:14. Jesus said if your eye offend you – the word for offend is skandalizo where we get the word scandalous and literally means to entrap.
Significance of right hand:
The right hand in Scripture carries rich symbolic meaning. Each metaphorical meaning identifies a benefit that is lost or damaged when we lust.
- Honor – In Acts 5:31 the place at the right hand is presented as a place of honor and privilege.
- Authority – Christ is seated at the right hand of God from which He intercedes for each of us. The disciples wanted to be seated at Jesus’ right and left hand in the kingdom. The right hand was a place of authority
- Power – In Lu 22:69 Jesus said that. He would sit in power at God’s right hand. The expression is often used “My right hand man” denoting a place of power.
- Protection – Protection is said to be by God’s right hand Psa 20:6. 18:35; 44:3
- Security – Psa 16:18. The Psalmist knows that being able to sit, stand or just be present at the right hand of God he is secure. Jesus said that no man can pluck us pout of His hand.
- Pleasure – Psa 16:11. The world seeks sinful pleasure and is never satisfied, but the child of God seeks God presence to fulfill and satisfy the desire for pleasures. These pleasures are not carnal but spiritual.
- Deliverance – Psa 17:7; 60:5. We sing the song, “He is able to deliver thee”. And our deliverance from sin, temptation and destruction are from God – His mighty right hand.
- Support – Psa 18:35; 63:8.
- Instruction – The Psalmist speaks of being taught by God’s right hand Psa 45:4
- Prosperity – The Psalmist says there is prosperity at His right hand Psa 78:54
- Strength – God’s right hand gives strength to His servants Psa 80:17
- Victory – Scripture says that God gains victory thru His right hand Psa 98:1
- Long life – Man seeks to live a long life – thru exercise, supplements and even today man is trying to gain long life thru AI (artificial intelligence) Prov 3:16
- Fellowship — The Scripture speaks of the right hand of fellowship Gal 2:9
Losing the right eye:
When an enemy attacked Israel’s one city they people asked for conditions of surrender. The response given was that they would accept surrender only if they could trust out all their right eyes 1 Sam 11:2.
The people Jesus spoke to knew much of this truth concerning the right eye and the importance of His teaching.
