Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! Matthew 23:25
How does a person avoid being trapped in unwanted thoughts, or actions, by lust?
What causes lust? Is it women’s’ clothing or lack of clothing? In parts of Africa, women wear long skirts but may be topless. In many places, exposed shoulders shouldn’t be seen in church and across the Middle East, covering the hair or the entire body might be required.
Jesus didn’t discuss these cultural practices because He knew that we could follow every rule and still have a heart full of lust. Jesus said this to the rule-makers of his day in Matthew 23:25, “Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!” When we’re obsessed with external rules but ignoring the heart matters, we’re polishing the outside of the cup and leaving the inside dirty.[1]
“Jesus locates the problem deep down in our hearts,” points out one writer. “According to Jesus, the primary way to deal with lust is not out there, it’s in here, in our hearts.” [2] Changing our hearts starts with taking personal responsibility. Jesus didn’t say if a woman causes you to stumble, cover her up! He said, “If your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29).
God’s not asking you to poke out your eyes. Jesus is demonstrating the level of intensity we should apply to getting control of our minds—and the cost should be to us, not others. If you’re struggling with lust, ask God how you can personally take drastic measures to change your heart habits.
[1] Gregoire, Sheila Wray, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, and Joanna Sawatsky. She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, and Speaking Up. Baker Publishing Group, 2023.
[2] Villodas, Rich. [@richvillodas]. “June 21.” Instagram, June 21, 2024, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8eplHHg7p9/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==.
