[CYM] 25.0 Do Not Lust

by Samir, posted in BLOG, Commands of Yeshua the Messiah

Yeshua’s commandment against lust is rooted in His teaching that righteousness begins in the heart, not merely in outward behavior. This is most clearly expressed in the Sermon on the Mount.

In Matthew 5:27–28, Yeshua says:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Here, Yeshua deepens the Old Testament command against adultery (Exodus 20:14), showing that lustful intent is itself a form of sin. He teaches that sin is not just about actions, but about the inner desires and thoughts that give birth to them.

Yeshua continues in Matthew 5:29–30 with strong language:

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. 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.

This hyperbolic command stresses the seriousness of lust and the need for radical steps to maintain purity.

While this direct teaching appears in Matthew, the command of inner purity and guarding the heart are echoed in Mark 7:21–23, where Yeshua lists evil thoughts, sexual immorality, and adultery as defilements that come from within. It says,

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

In Luke and John, the theme appears through Yeshua’s interactions—such as His merciful yet firm call to purity in John 8:11: She said, No man, Lord. And Yeshua said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Together, these teachings call disciples to inner holiness, not just outward conformity.

Leave a comment