One of the most radical statements Jesus ever made is found in Matthew 5:29.  Let's look at Matthew 5:27-29 to see the context and what Jesus said:  ²⁷“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (So much for the idea that Jesus never talked about hell!)  Could Jesus have been serious about gouging out our eyes if they cause us to lust?  If you were in worship at New Life yesterday, you already know the answer  is, "NO.  He wasn't serious about gouging out our eyes, but He was serious about making it clear that in our own efforts we will never be able to overcome sin in our lives.  The problem we have is that sin is deeply rooted in our hearts, and even if we gouged out both eyes the lust problem in our hearts would remain.

The solution isn't gouging out our eyes.  The solution is letting Jesus take over our hearts!  When Jesus told Nicodemus that in order to inherit the Kingdom of God He would have to be born again, He gave us the key to living victoriously in every area of our lives.  As Jesus told Nicodemus we must be born of water and the Spirit--emphasis on the SPIRIT!  When we take control of our lives, we will always end up in sin.  When we give control of our lives to Jesus in and through the Holy Spirit we will experience victory.  So the next time you see a pretty girl (or a handsome man if you're a woman) and the temptation is to lust (or to gouge out your eye!) give the Holy Spirit reign in your heart and the victory will be there.  God created us to notice others, but not so we could manipulate them, or treat them as a possession, but so we could build relationships with them that glorify Him.  As we go about today, let's thank God for the gift of others and for the opportunity to relate to them as Jesus intends!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating us for relationship--with You and others.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may see others for who they are: brothers and sisters through Your Son, Jesus, or potential brothers and sister in Him. Give us victory throughout the day as we live in the Spirit's presence and power!  This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.