27 你们听见有话说，不可奸淫。28 只是我告诉你们，凡看见妇女就动淫念的，这人心里已经与她犯奸淫了。29 若是你的右眼叫你跌倒，就剜出来丢掉。宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身丢在地狱里。30 若是右手叫你跌倒，就砍下来丢掉。宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身下入地狱。31 又有话说，人若休妻，就当给她休书。32 只是我告诉你们，凡休妻的，若不是为淫乱的缘故，就是叫她作淫妇了。人若娶这被休的妇人，也是犯奸淫了。

I. 你们听见有话说，不可奸淫。

1. 主耶稣使用了类似第二十一节里所说的方式说了“你们听见有话说”。

这就告诉我们，主耶稣这么说的意思是与第二十一节里的意思是一样的，虽然“不可奸淫”是十诫里的第七条，但是人们听到的却不是这一条诫命全部的意思，所以主耶稣需要在这里把上帝为什么要有这样一条诫命的原因和如何遵守这条诫命讲解清楚。

当我们在查《马太福音》5:17～20的时候，我们讲到了主耶稣要我们的义胜于文士和法利赛人的义；在上个礼拜查经的时候，我们看到主耶稣讲到了我们要在“不可杀人”方面胜于文士和法利赛人，这一次主耶稣教导我们要在“不可奸淫”上也胜于文士和法利赛人。

2. 婚姻的意义

（1） 婚姻是上帝创造的次序

“耶和华上帝说，那人独居不好，我要为他造一个配偶帮助他。耶和华上帝使他沉睡，他就睡了。于是取下他的一条肋骨，又把肉合起来。耶和华上帝就用那人身上所取的肋骨，造成一个女人，领她到那人跟前。那人说，这是我骨中的骨，肉中的肉，可以称她为女人，因为她是从男人身上取出来的。因此，人要离开父母与妻子连合，二人成为一体。”（见创世2:18，21～24）

婚姻是上帝创立的，是由一男一女组成；二人成为一体。这就是婚姻。

婚姻不是由人类文明发展而来；婚姻是上帝创造的一个由一个男人和一个女人所组成的盟约。

（2） 婚姻是盟约

在旧约圣经里，婚姻常常是被比喻为上帝约以色列民的关系；婚约也常常用来描述人的忠诚还是背约。

对于婚姻，主耶稣有明确的教导，“所以上帝配合的，人不可分开。”（见马太19:6B）这就清楚地表面，婚姻是一个不可破坏的盟约。

其实，婚姻不仅仅是比喻，而是在创世的时候已经带有预表的意义。所以在新约圣经里就直接告诉了我们，“为这个缘故，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。这是极大的奥秘，但我是指着基督和教会说的。”（见以弗所5:31～32）在《启示录》21章里也是用新郎和新妇来描述基督与教会。

（3） 性是圣洁的，不是污秽的

“上帝就照着自己的形像造人，乃是照着祂的形像造男造女。”（见创世1:27）男女不同的性别是上帝创造的；性别是上帝创造的，不是人可以发明的，也不是人可以改造的。而且“上帝看着一切所造的都甚好。”（见创世1:31A）由此看见，性绝对不是污秽的。

上帝吩咐亚当和夏娃，“上帝就赐福给他们，又对他们说，要生养众多，遍满地面，治理这地。”（见创世1:28）

“要生养众多”是在《创世记》第一章里所吩咐的命令，亚当和夏娃是在到了第三章才犯罪，所以性不是罪的产物，而是上帝圣洁的产物。

因为有性，才能生养众多；而人是有上帝的形像，有上帝的样式，所以性必然是圣洁的。

3 为什么不可奸淫？

（1） 不可奸淫不仅仅是因为社会道德的问题，而是因为奸淫破坏了上帝创造婚姻的原则。

上帝当初所创造的是：一男一女，二人成为一体。不是三个人，不是多个人，而是亚当和夏娃两个人，一男一女；上帝只为亚当创造了一个女人，所以上帝设立的婚姻是专一的。这是上帝创造的标准，人不可以破坏这个标准；夫妻以外的性行为就是奸淫，是罪。

（2） 奸淫是背叛上帝所创造的盟约

我们刚才讲到了婚姻是上帝创造的一个盟约。所以，请弟兄姊妹注意了，婚姻不是一个到民政局婚姻登记处去登记一下的结果，也不是一个简单的法律合同。

请注意我们刚才引用主耶稣所说的话，“所以上帝配合的，人不可分开。”（见马太19:6B）这就是说，婚姻是由上帝配合的盟约；这就告诉我们，为什么婚姻是圣洁的，因为有上帝的参与。

所以奸淫直接就是对上帝的犯罪，因为奸淫背叛了上帝配合我们的盟约。

（3） 奸淫不仅是身体上的罪

圣经教导我们，“你们要逃避淫行。人所犯的，无论什么罪，都在身子以外。惟有行淫的，是得罪自己的身子。岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？”（见林前6:18～19A）

在这两节经文里，首先讲到了奸淫是得罪自己的身子。淫乱很可能给身子带来疾病，不仅是性病，甚至艾滋病，这种致命的疾病。

但是圣经没有停留在这里，而是进一步讯问我们，“岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗？”对于基督徒来说，圣灵住在我们的身子里，但是有人却用自己的身子来犯奸淫。

圣灵是三位一体上帝的第二个位格，是圣洁的、是绝对不能容忍罪的。我们刚才已经讲了，奸淫是罪，而且是得罪自己身子的罪。请弟兄姊妹想一想，犯奸淫是不是想要让圣灵住在罪中啊？由此我们就应该知道，一个基督徒如果犯了奸淫不仅是得罪身子，而且是得罪了圣灵。所以身为基督徒，一定要知道犯奸淫的严重性。

（4） 我们知道，“不可奸淫”是十诫的第七条，但是如果我们注意看十条诫命的话，我们发觉在诫命的第十条里有这样的话，不可贪恋别人的妻子。这一句话里也包括了“不可奸淫”的意思。

在十条诫命里居然两次提到了这个问题，由此可见我们必须严格提防魔鬼撒旦在这方面对我们的诱惑。

（5） 我说，上帝创立的婚姻是一男一女，而且是专一的。你心里可能立刻就有问题了：为什么在旧约圣经里好几位上帝所重用的人却都有一夫多妻的情况呢？

查看圣经，特别是在旧约圣经里，我们看到亚伯拉罕除了妻子撒拉以外还有夏甲；改名为以色列的雅各有四个妻妾；大卫王也是有好几个妻子，所罗门王更是有很多很多妻子。

但是我们要注意一点，圣经中有记载的并不表示这些事情是上帝所赞同的，更不一定是被肯定的。圣经中记载了犹大出卖主耶稣，绝不是要我们效仿的；记载这样的事情只是要告诉我们发送了什么。

圣经告诉我们，亚伯拉罕因为纳妾，结果家庭冲突不断发生；雅各因为有四个妻妾，结果就相互妒嫉争竞；大卫王犯奸淫，结果“刀剑必永不离开你的家”（撒下12:10B）；所罗门王娶了那么多的外邦女子，结果他自己灵命败坏了。

这么看来，圣经记载了这些一夫多妻的情况就是要告诉我们，无论是谁，只要没有按照上帝的计划一夫一妻，所得到的结果都是不好的。圣经记载了一夫多妻不是要我们学他们的榜样，而是告诉我们哪怕是圣经里的伟人，只要不按照上帝计划的来做，就会造成不好的后果；所以圣经记载一夫多妻的情况是在警告我们，要我们遵守上帝所设计的婚姻 - 一夫一妻。

在新约圣经里就讲到了，对于教会里的监督、牧师圣经就要求，“只作一个妇人的丈夫”。（见提前 3:2B）因此有不少教会不按立离过婚的人为牧师，甚至有一些教会对丧偶之后又结婚者也不按立为牧师，牧师丧偶之后也不可再婚，否则就失去了牧师的资格。因为圣经在这里所说的“只作一个妇人的丈夫”，是指终身，而不是只指人生中的某段时间。

II. 只是我告诉你们，凡看见妇女就动淫念的，这人心里已经与她犯奸淫了。

1. 只是我告诉你们

主耶稣的这一句话，我们在前面第二十二节里也看到过，主耶稣在这里再一次怎么说。

主耶稣在这里是要告诉我们，我们常常听到关于“不可奸淫”的教导基本是不够正确的，而是片面的。所以主耶稣要在这里向我们宣告诫命中“不可奸淫”真实的含义，要我们正确理解上帝的话语。

在当时的犹太社会里，甚至今日的绝大部分社会里，对于“奸淫”的定义都是停留在外在的行为上。“文士和法利赛人，带着一个行淫时被拿的妇人来，叫她站在当中。就对耶稣说，夫子，这妇人是正行淫之时被拿的。”（见约翰8:3～4）文士和法利赛人指责这位妇女犯奸淫，因为她行淫之时被拿了。

按照律法，那个与这个妇人行淫的男子也应该被带到主耶稣的面前，因为圣经说，“要将奸夫淫妇一并治死”。（见申命22:22B）但是我们没有看到那个男子被捉拿，在这些文士和法利赛人眼里，就好像没有犯罪一样。

所以在当时，甚至现在的某些地方，“奸淫”只是被人发现了的、没有婚姻关系的性行为。

在西方的一些国家里的军队里，曾经有一个“不问、不说”的政策。这个政策就表示，只要不被暴露出来，就没有关系。

主耶稣在这里要告诉我们，“不可奸淫”是人们心目中自己定义的呢，还是由上帝定义的？

2. 奸淫不只是行为的问题。

主耶稣在这里不是要从新定义什么是“不可奸淫”，而是要还原上帝当初设立这条诫命的本意。

人们不可以自己随意定义上帝所创造、制定的十诫。

主耶稣指出，“凡看见妇女就动淫念的，这人心里已经与她犯奸淫了。”

主耶稣这一句话，把罪的界限从行为、身体回到了眼目和内心。

我们在上次讲“论发怒”的时候已经讲了，人之所以有行为上的犯罪，是由内心的犯罪导致的；行为上的犯罪是内心长期酝酿的结果。

圣经在《撒母耳下》13:1～14记载了大卫的一个儿子暗嫩，强奸了他的一个同父异母妹妹他玛的事件。我们不在这里读了，请弟兄姊妹事后去看一下。

圣经的这段记载中清楚地告诉我们，在暗嫩强奸他的同父异母妹妹他玛之前，在他的心里，他已经犯了奸淫，而他的强奸行为是他酝酿已久的恶毒计划的实现。

这就告诉我们，奸淫不仅是身体对婚约的背叛，而是意志和情感的背叛。

3. 奸淫是把我们是将根据上帝的形象所创造有灵的活人贬低成满足私欲的工具。

我们先来分析一下主耶稣在这里指出的，“凡看见妇女就动淫念的”包含了什么意思：

（1） 看见……就

只是看见，言下之意是初次见面，相互并不了解，应该还不会考虑是否要组成家庭。如果生活习惯、对事物的观念都是极然相反的话，两个人是没有办法走到一起的。

（2） 并没有想要进一步交往

如果你在相亲的时候，对一位异性有好感，希望进一步了解，看看是否适合成为终身的伴侣，这没有什么不对的地方，很正常。

（3） 直接就要发生性关系

主耶稣在这里指出的情况是：这个人不考虑对方是怎么样的一个人，也不想进一步了解对方的生活习惯和对事物的观念，直接就想要与对方发生性关系。

在主耶稣所指出的，“凡看见妇女就动淫念”里的“动淫念”，在原文里不仅是生理上的吸引，而且还有一种追求占有的渴望。

这就表明，他只想占有对方，将对方变成他发泄性欲望的工具。

（4） 当你把上帝所创造的，具有上帝形象的人变为一件满足你欲望的工具的时候，你不仅得罪了人，更是得罪了上帝。

当你开始在心里把他人工具化的时候，你已经在破坏了上帝所设计的人与人之间的神圣关系了。这比单纯的法律违规更严重，这是对上帝所創造之生命尊严的亵渎。

4. 主耶稣的这一个教导是为了堵住罪的破口。

我这么一说，请大家不要以为主耶稣是要我们不可对异性看一眼，主耶稣也不是要给我们定罪、让我们感到绝望，主耶稣是向我们指出，罪的根源是在我们的心里。

如果我们只是注意在行为上遵守圣经的教导，我们很可能就成为法利赛人，因为他们的确非常注意他们的行为。但是主耶稣对他们的批评是，“你们这假冒为善的文士和法利赛人有祸了。因为你们好像粉饰的坟墓，外面好看，里面却装满了死人的骨头，和一切的污秽。”（见马太23:27）因为我们所信的上帝是看人心的上帝；单纯有外表，却没有内心只能骗人，没有办法欺骗上帝。

圣经告诉我们，“因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲，眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的。”（见约一2:16）如果我们祈求上帝，让我们不仅在言语行为上严格遵守圣经的教导，更是在内心里追求圣洁，我们就有可能在肉体和眼目上切断通往犯罪的道路。

5. “不可奸淫”这条诫命不仅是对男性的警告，而是对所有人的警告。

虽然世界上发生很多类似《撒母耳记下》第十三章里暗嫩那样的人，但是女性并不能因此就觉得“不可奸淫”就与妳们无关；就是在被抓出来的淫乱贪官中，我們也看到有女的淫乱贪官。

简单地说，所有不是由一男一女组成的婚姻中的性行为，包括淫念，都属于奸淫或者淫乱。

中国人说，“食色性也”，把性行为与吃饭并立；言下之意每一个人都可能在性方面犯罪。我们刚才也说了，在十诫中两次提到了这个问题，可见犯这样罪的可能性很大。作为基督徒，我们就看到这样一个问题：无论男女，都需要上帝的救恩，因为我们的思想是魔鬼撒旦强力攻击的对象，而且主耶稣教导我们对妇人动淫念就是犯奸淫，所以单单从这一点就告诉我们，每一个人都要主耶稣的拯救，否则下地狱就是绝对的事了。

III. 若是你的右眼叫你跌倒，就剜出来丢掉。宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身丢在地狱里。若是右手叫你跌倒，就砍下来丢掉。宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身下入地狱。

1. 这两节经文是不是重复了？

弟兄姊妹，当你看到这两节经文的时候，你是不是觉得很奇怪？这两节竟然几乎完全相等，只是把“眼”换成了“手”。

为什么主耶稣要说两次呢？同样的话说两次只是为了加重语气吗？

我们在以前说过，圣灵里没有一句废话，每一句话都十分重要，因为“圣经都是上帝所默示的（或作凡上帝所默示的圣经），于教训，督责，使人归正，教导人学义，都是有益的。”（提后3:16）而且这两句话是主耶稣亲口说的，我们必须仔细来看。

2. 仔细看一下这两节经文的内容：

为什么都是右边，右眼和右手？

首先，我们注意到在这两节经文里，不是简单地说“眼睛”和“手”，而是说，“右眼”和“右手”。如果说这两节经文是要我们抛弃是我们犯罪的意念的话，何必一定要“右眼”和“右手”呢？

在圣经中，“右”代表了优等、力量、权柄和最珍贵的部分。比如，“我看见天开了，人子站在上帝的右边。”（见使徒行传7:56）又如，“那里有基督坐在上帝的右边。”（见歌罗西3:1B）

在中国人的传统中，“左”是代表错误的，在成语中就有“左道旁门”的说法。

在日常生活中，大部分人是使用喜欢用右手，当我们在见到熟人的时候，都用右手与他握手；右手是我们生活中最依赖的、最给力的部分。

那么为什么是右眼呢？

其实我们的两只眼睛是有主次之分的，但是我们可能没有注意到这个分别。你只要测试一下就能知道你的哪一只眼睛是你的主视眼：用你的双眼去看约三米远的一件小东西，比如说一只碗，然后将双臂展开，手掌张开，缓慢的将手臂从身体两侧慢慢向中间靠拢，直到手掌的两个虎口将这只碗圈住。现在，你闭上一只眼睛，再换一只眼睛，你就会发觉实际上只有一只眼睛看到你两个虎口圈住的碗。那只看到虎口里碗的眼睛是你的主视眼。实际上，我们主要用我们的主视眼在看东西。

现在科学统计的结果显示，大约70%的人是右眼为主视眼，29%的人是左眼为主视眼，还有一小部分人左右眼都不占主导地位，而是左右眼交替是主视眼。

创造宇宙万物的上帝，不需要等到现在的科学统计的结论，而是早就知道大部分人是用右眼在看东西，所以主耶稣在这里特别说到了“右眼”，就是我们看东西主要使用的眼睛。

3. 从这两节经文所说的内容来看，好像就是说，如果我们身体中有哪一部分是会使我们跌倒的，哪怕那是我们身体中很重要的一部分，那么我们宁可失去这一部分身体，也不要去犯罪。

如果我们看到这一点，应该已经是很用心了。但是如果这两节经文都表示这一个意思的话，为什么主耶稣要说两遍呢？

我们觉得这样说之所以说两遍，因为其中的含义是不同的。

主耶稣首先讲到了“右眼”，就是我们大部分人主要用来观察的那一只眼睛，我们会看到什么？

在这里，“看见妇女就动淫念”里的“看见”，就是因为眼睛是信息的接收器，就可能成为魔鬼撒旦引诱我们的入口，于是“淫念”就产生了。

当蛇来引诱夏娃的时候，圣经是这样描写的，“耶和华上帝所造的，惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇对女人说，上帝岂是真说，不许你们吃园中所有树上的果子吗？女人对蛇说，园中树上的果子，我们可以吃，惟有园当中那棵树上的果子，上帝曾说，你们不可吃，也不可摸，免得你们死。蛇对女人说，你们不一定死，因为上帝知道，你们吃的日子眼睛就明亮了，你们便如上帝能知道善恶。于是女人见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目，且是可喜爱的，能使人有智慧，就摘下果子来吃了。又给她丈夫，她丈夫也吃了。”（见创世3:1～6）

当夏娃被蛇引诱的第一个反应是什么？第一个反应是她的眼睛，“于是女人见那棵树的果子好作食物，也悦人的眼目”。因为她没有挡住自己的眼睛，却跟随蛇的意思用眼睛看了那棵树的果子，结果就伸手“摘下果子来吃了”。

引诱的第一道关口非常有可能是我们的眼睛，如果我们的眼睛不能抵挡引诱的话，我们就很可能递进到行为上。所以主耶稣就进而讲到了“右手”；因为没有挡住眼目的引诱，“右手”就发展成为犯罪的工具。

我们的手是执行我们意志的器官，表示了具体的行动、我们的习惯和行为，甚至我们的实践。

主耶稣的这两句话指出了我们通常犯罪的过程，因为没有管住我们的眼睛，于是就发展到行为上的犯罪。

4. 那么，主耶稣这样的教导是要我们自残吗？真的要我们把眼睛剜出来丢掉、把手就砍下来丢掉吗？

很显然，主耶稣在这里使用了激进的修辞手法，目的是表达对待罪的坚决拒绝态度，而不是要我们对身体的自残。我们稍微想一下就可以明白，如果自残能解决问题的话，那么盲人就不会有淫念了，但这显然不符合事实。

那么我们应该做什么呢？我们从四个方面来看：

（1） 我们要寻找那个导致我们犯罪的“右眼”和“右手”，也就是找到我们可能被诱惑的痛点；这对每一个人来说是不同的。

什么是我的“右眼”？ 可能是某个社交媒体的账号、某类影视剧、某种杂志广告、或者是某种总让你产生攀比或幻想的浏览习惯。

什么是我的“右手”？

可能是某些特定的社交圈子、深夜的某种独处习惯，或者是某个让你感到“很有力量”，但却不合上帝心意的地位或利益。

最近在美国爆出有关“爱泼斯坦丑闻”事件，导致不少名流为之倒台，就是因为进入了那个所谓名流的社交圈子。

（2） 当我们一旦发现了什么是我的“右眼”和“右手”的时候，我们就应该采取“截肢式”的隔离，把它剜出来丢掉、把它就砍下来丢掉。

界限的设立： 设定物理上的边界。比如，手机不放在床边，或者不在情绪低落、疲惫时独自面对网络诱惑（这样做就是挖出“右眼”）。

我们机构有规定，不可单独一人与异性对话，除非是家人。目的是为了堵住可能的破口，不是我们不相信弟兄姊妹，而是我们不相信我们自己有那么坚定。这个规定是我们从葛培理牧师那里学来的。 

环境的清理： 如果某个App让你不断跌倒，删掉它（这就是砍掉“右手”）。

这样做是要付代价的： 耶稣教导的核心是：损失局部，保全整体。 我们一定要明白，哪怕失去暂时的快乐或某种社交便利，也比失去灵魂的纯净更值得。

（3） 求上帝更新我们，成为一个新人。

不是单单“挖出”、“砍掉”之后就躺平了，而是要让圣灵来带领我们。

属灵生命中，单纯的“排空”是守不住的。必须用更好的东西来占据那个位置，求圣灵来改变我们：

眼目的转换： 不是躺平、不是“不看”，而是“转看”；多读经、多祷告。圣经教导我们，“仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣”；（见希伯来12:2A）要注目在主耶稣基督身上。当你被更伟大的荣美吸引时，世俗的诱惑自然会失去吸引力。

双手的运用： 与其担心“右手”犯罪，不如让右手忙于服事、参加短宣队去宣教、去做上帝要我们做的事情。

我们要从大卫王犯奸淫的那件事里学到教训。当时他的军队在打仗，他却在宫殿里睡午觉，睡醒了没有事情干，就东看西看，结果就引出了奸淫罪，随后又有了谋杀罪。

若有空闲，不要无所事事，而要亲近上帝；因为不做好事就很可能会去做坏事。

（4） 在我们求告上帝之后，圣灵会来提醒我们什么是应该做的，什么是不应该做的，但是我们是否一定会听圣灵的提醒吗？未必！我们不是常常出现让圣灵担忧的情况吗？

所以我们在祈求了上帝之后，我们还要积极参与教会的活动。因为上帝会使用教会里的弟兄姊妹来劝勉、鼓励我们，我们就会得到主内肢体间的关爱。

这就是为什么圣经教导我们，“你们不可停止聚会，好像那些停止惯了的人，倒要彼此劝勉。”（见希伯来10:25A）

IV. 又有话说，人若休妻，就当给她休书。

1. 上帝是否应许在给了她休书之后就可以休妻？

简单的答案是“是的”，但是却是一个有特定条件的“是的”。因为在律法书里有这样的记载，“人若娶妻以后，见她有什么不合理的事，不喜悦她，就可以写休书交在她手中，打发她离开夫家。妇人离开夫家以后，可以去嫁别人。”（见申命24:1～2）

我这么一引用，你可能立刻就有疑问了，因为我刚才引用了主耶稣的教导，“所以上帝配合的，人不可分开。”（见马太19:6B）怎么现在又说圣经说可以休妻的呢？圣经是否矛盾了？

2. 主耶稣解释了，为什么上帝同意离婚。

“有法利赛人来问祂说，人休妻可以不可以，意思要试探祂。耶稣回答说，摩西吩咐你们的是什么。他们说，摩西许人写了休书便可以休妻。耶稣说，摩西因为你们的心硬，所以写这条例给你们。但从起初创造的时候，上帝造人是造男造女。因此人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。既然如此，夫妻不再是两个人，乃是一体的了。所以上帝配合的，人不可分开。”（见马可10:2～9）

上帝的设计是一男一女的婚姻是不可以分开的，是没有休妻和离婚的。但是人们心硬，已经把妻子赶了出去，对于这样的情况，上帝为了看顾被遗弃了的妇女有一条活路，吩咐摩西要他们写休书给被遗弃的妻子，因此这样的女人仍然能够活。因为在当时，女人是没有工作的，需要依靠丈夫才能活。所以在同意他们可以休妻的时候，特别说明，“妇人离开夫家以后，可以去嫁别人”，这样她就可以活下去了。

3. 上帝同意那些心硬的人可以休妻是为了让被休的妻子可以活，而不是鼓励人们离婚。 

人因为犯了罪，心就变得刚硬，于是就会背弃所签下的约、不遵守所立下的誓言。正因为如此，就会出现撕毁当初所立下的婚约，抛弃原来应该白头到老的配偶。既然这样的情况已经出现，上帝就同意以写休书的方式在法律上休妻，也就是离婚。

在圣经里我们可以看到有好一些地方上帝同意事情的发生，但是并不是上帝主动要那些事情发生的。

其中一个重要的例子就在约伯身上所发生的事情。“有一天，上帝的众子，来侍立在耶和华面前，撒但也来在其中。耶和华问撒但说，你从哪里来？撒但回答说，我从地上走来走去，往返而来。耶和华问撒但说，你曾用心察看我的仆人约伯没有。地上再没有人像他完全正直，敬畏上帝，远离恶事。撒但回答耶和华说，约伯敬畏上帝，岂是无故呢？祢岂不是四面圈上篱笆，围护他和他的家，并他一切所有的吗？他手所做的都蒙祢赐福。他的家产也在地上增多。祢且伸手毁他一切所有的。他必当面弃掉祢。耶和华对撒但说，凡他所有的都在你手中。只是不可伸手加害于他。于是撒但从耶和华面前退去。”（见约伯1:6～12）

上帝应许撒旦攻击约伯，于是撒旦就多多加害于约伯。但是，让约伯受害并不是上帝的意思，上帝只是同意撒旦暂时可以去做一些坏事而已。

当初上帝同意以色列民可以休妻，并不是鼓励离婚，而是为了保护弱小的一方。

上帝这个原始的动机，至今仍在美国的离婚法律中可以看到。在美国，如果要离婚，其中一个非常重要的，由法院判决的内容，就是对弱小一方的经济负担，对于孩子一直要出抚养费到孩子18足岁，抚养费可以直接从工资单里扣除；如果有家暴情况的，法院还会判定曾经施暴的一方不得靠近另一方一定的距离。比如不得进入另一方所在的2公里的范围。

V. 只是我告诉你们，凡休妻的，若不是为淫乱的缘故，就是叫她作淫妇了。人若娶这被休的妇人，也是犯奸淫了。

1. 只是我告诉你们，凡休妻的，若不是为淫乱的缘故，就是叫她作淫妇了。

（1） 从字面上来看，主耶稣的这一句话表示了，如果夫妻中的一方犯了淫乱罪，那么提出离婚，算是有理由的。

如果夫妻中的一方已经犯了淫乱罪，这就是说犯了淫乱罪的一方已经撕毁了当初结婚时的婚约，已经违反了当初的誓言，实际上当初的婚约已经遭到了破坏。所以要在法律上确认当初的婚约已经不复存在，是无可非议的。

（2） 但是如果不是因为对方有淫乱罪，但是你仍然提出离婚，这个情况就不一样了。

既然对方没有犯淫乱罪，你为什么要提出离婚？莫非你另有新欢。那么，你首先就是准备犯淫乱罪了。因为婚姻是终身的，只有死亡才能解除婚姻。圣经告诉我们，“女人有了丈夫，丈夫还活着，就被律法约束。丈夫若死了，就脱离了丈夫的律法。所以丈夫活着，她若归于别人，便叫淫妇。丈夫若死了，她就脱离了丈夫的律法，虽然归于别人，也不是淫妇。”（见罗马7:2～3）如果是丧偶，可以再婚，这才不是犯罪。

不仅如此，你的配偶没有犯淫乱罪，却被你离了婚，你是要对方终身不娶不嫁吗？如果一旦对方嫁娶，岂不是你让对方犯淫乱罪了吗？

所以，如果不是因为对方有淫乱罪而提出离婚的话，不仅你是一个犯淫乱罪的人，而且是一个淫乱教唆犯。

我们应该要知道问题的严重性。

2. 人若娶这被休的妇人，也是犯奸淫了。

我们在看这一句话的时候会觉得奇怪：我没有造成她被休啊；只是在她被休了以后，我才娶她。我有什么错啊？

如果你也有这样的想法，不是很特别，只是没有注意我刚才所说的。

问题不在于时间顺序，而是原先的婚约到底是否解除了。

如果你注意我刚才所说的，婚约的解除或者被撕毁只是两种情况：第一种情况：夫妻中的一位离开了世界，婚约就解除了；第二种情况：夫妻中有一位犯了淫乱罪，婚约被撕毁了。

但是如果没有出现这两种情况中的任意一种情况，那么不仅在上帝面前这个婚约仍然有效，而且这个夫妻关系并没有被破坏。这个时候所谓的“离婚证明”，只是凭空说这个夫妻关系没有了，这是一张自欺欺人的废纸。

我刚才已经讲了，如果你的对方没有犯淫乱罪，你非要离婚，然后你又结婚，你已经犯了淫乱罪，因为原来的婚约实际上并没有解除。不仅如此，你也让对方陷入犯淫乱罪的困境中。

那么那个娶了你的那位没有犯淫乱罪的配偶，实际上就是娶了别人的妻子了，这当然就是犯了淫乱罪了。

主耶稣在这里教导我们，不要轻易说“离婚”这两个字，要知道提出离婚的后果。

3. 即使一方犯了淫乱罪，也不是必须离婚的。

弟兄姊妹，我们必须明白一点，主耶稣在这里的教导不是说，一旦对方发了淫乱罪就必须提出离婚。

我刚才说，如果夫妻中的一方犯了淫乱罪，那么提出离婚，算是有理由的。也就是说，上帝对于夫妻中的一方犯了淫乱罪之后提出离婚，上帝不会坚决反对，但是绝对没有“应该离婚”的意思。

如果你记得我们在开始的时候就讲到了上帝用婚姻是预表祂与以色列民的关系，预表基督与教会的关系。

但是我们在圣经里看到以色列民真的不是一个一直听从上帝吩咐的民族，但是上帝从来没有因为以色列民的不听从就断绝了祂与以色列民的关系。我们时常背叛上帝的吩咐，常常让圣灵担忧，但是上帝一直不离不弃地爱护我们，一次又一次地把我们带领回到祂的面前。

上帝这样对待我们，我们也应该以此来对待在婚姻中出轨的配偶。只要对方愿意真心悔改，我们应该接受，而不要拒绝。

我们在上一次查经的时候讲到了不要怀恨在心，要饶赦。对于在婚姻中出轨的配偶我们要把他带到上帝的面前，让他有机会真心悔改，不要记仇。因为在内心中我们也很有可能是出轨的。

求上帝饶赦出轨的对方，也求上帝饶赦我们自己。

VI. 我们在这段经文里学到了什么：

1. 主耶稣教导我们，罪是从心里开始的。

我们最近两次所查考的圣经，论发怒和论奸淫和离婚，都告诉我们一件事情，犯罪不是从行为开始的，而是从人的心里开始的。恨人是杀人的根源；淫念是造成奸淫和淫乱的根源。

行为是结果，根源是心。所以圣经再一次向我们证实：“私欲既怀了胎，就生出罪来。罪既长成，就生出死来。”（见雅各1:15）

2. 主耶稣在这里的教导是要堵住罪的入口。

主耶稣在这里用夸张的比喻告诉我们，“若是你的右眼叫你跌倒，就剜出来丢掉。宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身丢在地狱里。若是右手叫你跌倒，就砍下来丢掉。宁可失去百体中的一体，不叫全身下入地狱。”

主耶稣这样的教导目的非常清楚，就是要堵住罪的发源地，以这样的方式阻止犯罪。

魔鬼撒旦的引诱常常是从抓住我们的眼球开始的；为了满足我们眼目的情欲，罪就乘机进入我们的心里。所以要对付好我们的“右眼”就成为非常重要的一步，不要等到“右手”已经伸出去摘那个不该吃的果子才来阻止，可能已经来不及了。

3. 不可轻率地破坏婚姻。

婚姻是上帝配合的，所以是圣洁的；所以不可轻率地破坏婚姻，也不是随意可以解除的。因为婚姻是终身的；所以只有因为死亡婚约才被解除。

不仅当时的犹太人社会以为只要通过合法手续就可以休妻，现代人以为离婚是我可以选择的权利。事实上，特别是在上帝的眼里远远没有那么简单。

奸淫对婚姻造成了裂痕，也是可以提出离婚的唯一条件；但是也不是因为有了奸淫就必须离婚的。只要犯了奸淫罪的一方愿意真心悔改，破镜可以重圆。所以在夫妻之间，千万不可随意说出“离婚”这两个字。

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  29 If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it away; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  30 If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it away; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.  31 It was said, “Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce.”  32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

I. “You Have Heard That It Was Said: ‘You Shall Not Commit Adultery’”

1. The Lord Jesus uses the same formula as in verse 21

The Lord Jesus again says, “You have heard that it was said.”  This is the same expression He used earlier in verse 21.

By using this phrase, Jesus shows that the situation here is similar to what we saw previously. Although “You shall not commit adultery” is the seventh commandment in the Ten Commandments, what the people had heard was not the full meaning of that commandment. Therefore Jesus explains both why God gave this commandment and how it should truly be obeyed.

When we studied Matthew 5:17–20, we saw that the Lord Jesus said our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees.
Last week, when we examined the commandment “You shall not murder,” we saw how Jesus required a deeper righteousness than that of the scribes and Pharisees.

Now the Lord Jesus teaches us that in the matter of “You shall not commit adultery,” our righteousness must also go beyond that of the scribes and Pharisees.

2. The Meaning of Marriage

(1) Marriage is part of God’s created order

Scripture says:

“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’  So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.  The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.  The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’  For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  (Genesis 2:18, 21–24)

Marriage was instituted by God Himself.
It consists of one man and one woman becoming one flesh. That is marriage.

Marriage is not a human invention that gradually developed as civilization progressed.
Rather, marriage is a covenant established by God, consisting of one man and one woman.

(2) Marriage is a covenant

In the Old Testament, marriage is often used as a metaphor for the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel. The marriage covenant illustrates both faithfulness and unfaithfulness.

The Lord Jesus also gave very clear teaching about marriage:

“What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”  (Matthew 19:6)

This clearly shows that marriage is a covenant established by God that should not be broken.

In fact, marriage is not only a metaphor. From the very beginning of creation it already carried a prophetic meaning. The New Testament tells us plainly:

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”  (Ephesians 5:31–32)

In Revelation 21, Christ and the Church are also described as the bridegroom and the bride.

(3) Sexuality is holy, not dirty

Scripture says:

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

The distinction between male and female was created by God. Gender is not invented by human beings, nor is it something that humans are free to redefine or alter.

Furthermore, Scripture says:

“God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

From this we can clearly see that sexuality is not something dirty or shameful.

God blessed Adam and Eve and said to them:

“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

This command was given in Genesis chapter 1, while the fall into sin did not occur until Genesis chapter 3. Therefore sexuality is not the product of sin, but part of God’s holy creation.

Because of sexuality, humanity can multiply and fill the earth. And since human beings were created in the image and likeness of God, sexuality itself must be understood as something holy within God’s design.

3. Why Is Adultery Forbidden?

(1) Adultery violates God’s design for marriage

The commandment against adultery is not merely about maintaining social morality. The deeper reason is that adultery destroys the principle of marriage that God established in creation.

God created marriage as one man and one woman becoming one flesh.

Not three people.  Not many people.

God created Adam and Eve, one man and one woman. God created only one woman for Adam. Therefore the marriage established by God is exclusive and faithful.

Any sexual relationship outside the marriage covenant is adultery, and therefore sin.

(2) Adultery is a betrayal of the covenant created by God

As we have just seen, marriage is a covenant established by God. Therefore marriage is not merely the result of registering at a government office, nor is it simply a legal contract.

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus we quoted earlier:

“What God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Matthew 19:6)

Marriage is a covenant joined by God Himself. That is why marriage is holy — because God is involved in it.

Therefore adultery is directly a sin against God, because adultery betrays the covenant that God Himself has joined together.

(3) Adultery is not only a physical sin

The Bible teaches:

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”  (1 Corinthians 6:18–19)

These verses first tell us that sexual immorality is a sin against one’s own body. Sexual immorality may bring physical consequences, including diseases, even life-threatening ones.

But the Bible does not stop there. It continues by asking us:

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”

For Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Yet some people use their bodies to commit sexual immorality.

The Holy Spirit is God — holy and pure, unable to tolerate sin. As we have already seen, adultery is a sin, and it is a sin against our own body.

So we must ask ourselves: If someone commits adultery, is he not forcing the Holy Spirit to dwell in a place of sin?

Therefore when a Christian commits adultery, he not only sins against his body but also sins against the Holy Spirit. This shows us the seriousness of this sin.

(4) The Ten Commandments emphasize this warning

We know that “You shall not commit adultery” is the seventh commandment.

But if we read carefully, we will notice that the tenth commandment also says:

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”

This commandment also addresses the same issue. In other words, the Ten Commandments mention this matter twice.

This reminds us how carefully we must guard ourselves against the temptations of Satan in this area.

(5) What about polygamy in the Old Testament?

At this point someone may ask:
If God established marriage as one man and one woman, why do we see polygamy among some people in the Old Testament?

For example:

• Abraham had Hagar in addition to Sarah.

• Jacob had four wives and concubines.

• King David had multiple wives.

• King Solomon had even more wives.
  
  

However, we must understand an important principle when reading the Bible:
The Bible’s record of something does not necessarily mean God approves of it.

For example, the Bible records that Judas betrayed Jesus, but it does not mean we should imitate him. The Bible often records events simply to show us what actually happened.

And in fact, the results of polygamy in the Bible are almost always negative:

• Abraham’s family experienced constant conflict.

• Jacob’s wives competed with jealousy.

• David’s sin led to God’s judgment:
  “The sword shall never depart from your house.” (2 Samuel 12:10)

• Solomon married many foreign women and eventually his spiritual life declined.

These examples show us that whenever people do not follow God’s original design for marriage, the result is always trouble.

Therefore the Bible records these cases not to encourage us to imitate them, but to warn us. Even great figures in Scripture suffered consequences when they did not follow God’s plan.

God’s design for marriage remains one man and one woman.

In the New Testament, the Bible gives a clear requirement for church leaders:

“An overseer must be the husband of one wife.” (1 Timothy 3:2)

For this reason, some churches do not ordain divorced men as pastors. Some churches even take the phrase “the husband of one wife” to mean a lifelong commitment, not merely a condition during part of a person’s life.

II. “But I Say to You That Everyone Who Looks at a Woman with Lust Has Already Committed Adultery with Her in His Heart”

1. “But I say to you”

We have already seen this phrase earlier in verse 22, and here the Lord Jesus repeats it again.

By saying “But I say to you,” Jesus is telling us that what people commonly hear about the commandment “You shall not commit adultery” is often incomplete and even incorrect. People usually understand this commandment only in a limited and superficial way.

Therefore Jesus declares the true meaning of this commandment and teaches us how God Himself understands it. He wants us to understand God’s Word correctly.

In Jewish society at that time—and even in most societies today—adultery is usually defined only as an external act.

For example, the Gospel of John records:

“The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery; and having set her in the center of the court, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.’” (John 8:3–4)

The scribes and Pharisees accused the woman because she had been caught in the act.

However, according to the Law, the man who committed adultery with her should also have been brought before Jesus. Scripture clearly says:

“If a man is found lying with a married woman, then both of them shall die.” (Deuteronomy 22:22)

Yet the man was nowhere to be found. In the eyes of the scribes and Pharisees, it was as if only the woman had sinned.

This shows that at that time—and even in many places today—adultery is defined simply as sexual activity outside marriage that has been discovered or exposed.

In some Western military contexts there was once a policy often summarized as “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” The idea behind that policy was simple: as long as something is not exposed, it is tolerated.

But the Lord Jesus raises a much deeper question here:

Is the meaning of adultery defined by human opinion, or is it defined by God?

2. Adultery is not merely a matter of outward behavior

Jesus is not redefining adultery according to a new standard. Rather, He is restoring the original meaning that God intended when He gave this commandment.

Human beings do not have the authority to redefine the commandments that God Himself established.

Therefore Jesus declares:

“Everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

With this statement, Jesus moves the boundary of sin from outward behavior back to the eyes and the heart.

When we discussed anger earlier, we already saw this principle: outward sinful actions are the result of inner sin that has been developing in the heart. External sin is the final stage of something that has already been growing internally.

The Bible gives us a vivid example in 2 Samuel 13:1–14, where Amnon, the son of King David, raped his half-sister Tamar. I will not read the entire passage here, but I encourage you to read it later.

The biblical narrative makes it clear that before Amnon committed the act of rape, he had already committed adultery in his heart. His violent act was the final outcome of a long-developing and wicked desire.

This example shows us that adultery is not merely a physical betrayal of marriage.
It is also a betrayal of the will and the affections.

3. Adultery reduces a person created in God’s image into an object for personal desire

Let us examine more closely what Jesus means when He says:

“Everyone who looks at a woman with lust.”

(1) “Looks at…”

The expression suggests simply seeing someone, perhaps even for the first time.

When people meet for the first time, they usually know nothing about each other’s character, habits, or worldview. They have not yet considered whether they could build a life together.

If two people have completely opposite values and ways of life, they cannot realistically build a marriage.

(2) There is no intention of forming a relationship

For example, if you meet someone through a formal introduction or a dating arrangement, and you feel a positive impression and want to get to know that person better to see whether marriage might be possible, there is nothing wrong with that. That is perfectly normal.

(3) Instead, the desire is immediately sexual

What Jesus is describing here is a very different situation.

The person does not care who the other person really is. He does not care about her character, values, or life. He has no interest in understanding her as a person.

Instead, he immediately desires a sexual relationship.

The phrase translated “lust” in the original language carries not only the meaning of physical attraction but also a strong desire to possess.

In other words, the person wants to take possession of the other person, turning that individual into nothing more than an instrument to satisfy personal desire.

(4) This is an offense against God

When we reduce a human being—someone created in the image of God—into a tool for our own pleasure, we are not only sinning against that person.

We are sinning against God Himself.

The moment we begin to treat another person as an object in our hearts, we have already begun to destroy the sacred relationships that God intended between human beings.

This is not merely a legal violation or a social problem.
It is a profanation of the dignity of human life created by God.

4. Jesus teaches this in order to block the entrance of sin

When I say this, please do not misunderstand.

Jesus is not teaching that we should never look at someone of the opposite sex. Nor is He trying to condemn us in such a way that we become hopeless.

Instead, Jesus is pointing out the true root of sin—our hearts.

If we focus only on controlling our outward behavior, we may become like the Pharisees. They were extremely careful about external conduct.

Yet Jesus rebuked them strongly:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27)

Why? Because the God we believe in looks at the heart.

Outward appearance may deceive people, but it can never deceive God.

The Bible tells us:

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16)

Therefore we should pray that God will help us not only to obey His Word in our speech and behavior, but also to pursue holiness in our hearts.

When the heart is transformed, the pathways that lead to sin through the flesh and the eyes can be cut off.

5. This commandment is not only a warning for men, but for everyone

Although many examples of sexual sin in Scripture involve men—such as the story of Amnon—women must not assume that the commandment “You shall not commit adultery” does not apply to them.

Even in modern society, when corrupt officials are exposed for sexual immorality, we sometimes see that women are also involved.

Simply put, any sexual activity outside a marriage between one man and one woman—including lustful thoughts—falls into the category of adultery or sexual immorality.

There is a Chinese saying: “Food and sex are both basic human desires.” The saying places sexual desire alongside the need to eat, implying that everyone is vulnerable to this kind of temptation.

We have already seen that in the Ten Commandments this issue is mentioned twice, which shows how serious and widespread this temptation can be.

For Christians, this reveals an important truth: Both men and women need the salvation of God.

Our minds are one of the primary battlegrounds where Satan attacks us. And since Jesus teaches that even lustful thoughts constitute adultery in the heart, this alone shows us how desperately every person needs the salvation of Christ.

Without the saving grace of the Lord Jesus, the final outcome for sinners would be eternal judgment.

III. If your right eye causes you to stumble, tear 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. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

(See Gospel of Matthew 5:29–30)

1. Are these two verses repeating the same thing?

Brothers and sisters, when you read these two verses, do you feel that they are rather strange? They are almost identical, except that “eye” is replaced with “hand.”

Why did the Lord Jesus say it twice? Was repeating the same statement simply meant to emphasize the point?

We have said before that in the work of the Holy Spirit there are no unnecessary words. Every sentence is important, because “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (see Second Epistle to Timothy 3:16).

Moreover, these words were spoken personally by the Lord Jesus, so we must examine them carefully.

2. Let us look closely at the content of these two verses

Why do both verses mention the right side—the right eye and the right hand?

First of all, notice that Jesus did not simply say “eye” and “hand,” but specifically said “right eye” and “right hand.” If the point of these verses were merely to tell us to abandon thoughts that lead us into sin, why would Jesus emphasize the right eye and the right hand?

In the Bible, the right side often represents honor, power, authority, and what is most precious. For example, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (see Acts of the Apostles 7:56). Likewise, “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (see Epistle to the Colossians 3:1).

In traditional Chinese culture, the “left” sometimes symbolizes deviation or error, as reflected in the phrase “left-handed paths and unorthodox ways.”

In daily life, most people rely more on their right hand. When we greet acquaintances, we normally shake hands with the right hand. The right hand is the part of the body we depend on most and the one that serves us most effectively.

But why mention the right eye?

In fact, our two eyes usually have a dominant one, although many people are not aware of it. You can test which eye is your dominant eye. Look at a small object about three meters away, such as a bowl. Stretch both arms out and slowly bring your hands together until the object is framed between the V-shapes formed by your thumbs and index fingers. Then close one eye and then the other. You will discover that only one eye still sees the object within the frame. That eye is your dominant eye. In reality, we rely mainly on our dominant eye to see.

Scientific studies today show that about 70% of people have a dominant right eye, about 29% have a dominant left eye, and a small percentage of people alternate between the two.

The God who created the universe did not need modern scientific statistics to know that most people rely primarily on their right eye. Therefore, when Jesus mentioned the right eye, He was referring to the eye most people use as their main instrument of sight.

3. What do these verses mean?

From the wording of these verses, it seems that if any part of our body causes us to stumble—even if it is an important part—it would be better to lose that part than to fall into sin.

If we understand this much, we are already paying careful attention to the text. But if both verses express exactly the same meaning, why did Jesus say it twice?

It seems that the two statements emphasize different aspects.

First, Jesus mentions the right eye, the eye most of us primarily use to observe the world. What do we see with it?

In the phrase “whoever looks at a woman with lust,” the act of looking involves the eye, which serves as the receiver of information. The eye can become the entry point through which Satan tempts us, and from there lustful thoughts arise.

When the serpent tempted Eve, the Bible describes it this way:

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made…” (see Book of Genesis 3:1–6)

What was Eve’s first response to the temptation? It was with her eyes:
“the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye.”

Because she did not guard her eyes, but followed the serpent’s suggestion and looked at the fruit, she eventually reached out her hand and took it.

The first gateway of temptation is very often the eyes. If our eyes fail to resist temptation, it can easily progress to sinful action. That is why Jesus then speaks about the right hand. When the temptation of the eyes is not resisted, the hand becomes the instrument of sin.

Our hands are the organs through which our will is carried out. They represent our actions, habits, behaviors, and even our practical deeds.

Thus, these two statements from Jesus reveal the typical progression of sin:
when we fail to control our eyes, it develops into sinful actions.

4. Does Jesus mean we should literally mutilate ourselves?

Does He really mean we should gouge out our eyes or cut off our hands?

Obviously, Jesus is using radical figurative language to express a firm and uncompromising attitude toward sin. He is not instructing us to harm our bodies. If physical mutilation could solve the problem, then blind people would never experience lustful thoughts—but clearly that is not the case.

So what should we do? We can consider four practical steps.

(1) Identify the “right eye” and the “right hand” that cause us to stumble

We must find the particular points where temptation enters our lives. These are different for each person.

What might be my “right eye”?

It could be a certain social media account, certain movies or television programs, certain advertisements in magazines, or browsing habits that constantly stir up comparison or fantasy.

What might be my “right hand”?

It might be particular social circles, certain late-night habits when we are alone, or positions and benefits that make us feel powerful but are not pleasing to God.

In recent years, the exposure of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in the United States caused the downfall of many prominent figures, largely because they entered that elite social circle.

(2) Once we discover them, we must take decisive action

We must apply what might be called “amputation-like separation.”

Setting boundaries:
Establish physical limits. For example, do not keep your phone beside your bed, or avoid facing online temptations alone when you are tired or emotionally vulnerable. This is like “removing the right eye.”

Our organization has a rule that a person should not converse privately with someone of the opposite sex unless they are family members. The purpose is to close potential openings for temptation. It is not that we distrust our brothers and sisters, but that we do not fully trust our own strength. We learned this principle from Billy Graham.

Cleaning the environment:
If a particular app repeatedly causes you to stumble, delete it. This is like “cutting off the right hand.”

Such decisions require a price. The core of Jesus’ teaching is this: lose a part in order to preserve the whole. Even if we must give up temporary pleasure or certain social conveniences, it is far better than losing the purity of our soul.

(3) Ask God to renew us and make us new

After “removing” and “cutting off,” we cannot simply remain empty. We must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.

In spiritual life, mere removal cannot last. The empty place must be filled with something better.

A transformation of the eyes:
Not simply “not looking,” but looking elsewhere. Read Scripture more and pray more. The Bible teaches us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (see Epistle to the Hebrews 12:2). When we are captivated by a greater beauty, worldly temptations naturally lose their attraction.

A transformation of the hands:
Instead of worrying about our hands committing sin, let our hands become busy serving God—joining mission teams, participating in ministry, and doing the work God calls us to do.

We can learn a lesson from the sin of King David. While his army was at war, he stayed in the palace, took an afternoon nap, and after waking up wandered about with nothing to do. That idleness eventually led to adultery and then even to murder.

When we have free time, we should not be idle but draw near to God, because when we do not actively do good, we are often tempted to do evil.

(4) Stay within the fellowship of the church

When we pray to God, the Holy Spirit reminds us what we should and should not do. But do we always listen? Not necessarily. Do we not often grieve the Holy Spirit?

Therefore, after praying to God, we must also actively participate in church life. God uses brothers and sisters in the church to encourage, exhort, and support us so that we may receive the love of the body of Christ.

That is why the Bible teaches: “Let us not give up meeting together… but encourage one another” (see Epistle to the Hebrews 10:25).

IV. “It has been said, ‘If a man divorces his wife, he must give her a certificate of divorce.’”

(See Gospel of Matthew 19:7; Book of Deuteronomy 24:1–2)

1. Does God actually allow a man to divorce his wife once he gives her a certificate?

The simple answer is “yes,” but it is a conditional yes. In the Law of Moses, it is recorded:

“If a man marries a woman and then finds something indecent about her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her and send her away. If she leaves his house, she may go and marry another man.” (Book of Deuteronomy 24:1–2)

You may immediately have a question: earlier, Jesus taught,

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Gospel of Matthew 19:6)

So how is it that Scripture seems to allow divorce? Does the Bible contradict itself?

2. Jesus explains why God allowed divorce

The Pharisees came to Him, testing Him, and asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” Jesus asked, “What did Moses command you?” They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” Jesus replied:

“Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But at the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Gospel of Mark 10:2–9)

God’s original design was that marriage—one man and one woman—cannot be separated. Divorce and remarriage were never part of His ideal. But because human hearts are hard, some husbands drove their wives away. In such cases, God provided a legal means through Moses to protect the abandoned wife. By giving her a certificate of divorce, the woman could remarry and continue to live, because in that cultural context, women generally had no independent means of livelihood and depended on their husbands.

3. God allowed divorce to protect the weaker party, not to encourage it

Sin hardens the human heart. People break their vows and abandon those to whom they committed lifelong promises. Since this reality exists, God permitted divorce through the legal method of writing a certificate. This was a legal concession, not divine approval of divorce as good.

The Bible contains several instances where God allows something to happen without being its originator. A key example is Job:

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’ ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have You not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.’ Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” (Book of Job 1:6–12)

God allowed Satan to test Job and permitted him to be harmed, but that was not God’s desire; He simply permitted a temporary reality.

Similarly, God’s allowance for a man to divorce a wife was not to encourage divorce, but to protect the weaker party.

4. God’s original intention is reflected even in modern law

Even today, protections for the weaker party remain in the legal system. For example, in the United States, a court divorce judgment ensures:

• Financial support for the weaker spouse, including child support until the child reaches 18, which can be deducted directly from wages.

• In cases of domestic violence, the court can issue restraining orders, preventing the abuser from approaching within a specified distance—often up to 2 kilometers.
  
  

God’s protective intention behind allowing divorce for hard-hearted people remains clear: it was never to endorse abandonment or divorce, but to provide a way for the vulnerable to survive and continue life with dignity.

V. “But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

(See Gospel of Matthew 5:32)

1. “Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery.”

1. Literally speaking, Jesus’ statement means that if one spouse commits sexual immorality, then divorce can be considered legally justified. In such a case, the spouse who sinned has already violated the original marriage covenant, broken their vow, and effectively destroyed the marriage bond. Legally confirming the end of the marriage is therefore not blameworthy.
   
   

2. But if there is no sexual immorality involved, and one still initiates divorce, the situation is entirely different.
   If the other spouse has not committed sexual immorality, why would you initiate divorce? Perhaps you have someone else in mind. In that case, you are already preparing to commit adultery. Marriage is meant to be lifelong; only death can dissolve it. The Bible tells us:

“A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. So then, if while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and though she marries another man, she is not an adulteress.” (Book of Romans 7:2–3)

Not only that—if your spouse has committed no sexual immorality and yet you divorce them, are you expecting them to remain unmarried for life? If they remarry, would you not be causing them to commit adultery?
Thus, divorcing a spouse without cause makes you an adulterer yourself, and an instigator of adultery. We must understand the seriousness of this issue.

2. “Anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”

At first glance, this may seem puzzling: I didn’t cause her to be divorced; I married her after the divorce. What is my fault?
The problem is not the timing but the status of the original marriage covenant.
If neither of these conditions occurred—death of a spouse or sexual immorality—then the original marriage covenant is still valid before God. The so-called “certificate of divorce” becomes a paper that deceives oneself, claiming a marriage bond no longer exists when in fact it has not been dissolved.

Thus, if you divorce a spouse without sexual immorality and then remarry, you commit adultery, because the original covenant is still in effect. Moreover, you place your former spouse in the position of potential adultery. The person who marries the divorced spouse is effectively marrying someone else’s wife, which is clearly adultery.
Jesus’ teaching here warns us: do not take the word “divorce” lightly; understand the serious consequences of initiating divorce.

3. Even in cases of sexual immorality, divorce is not mandatory

Brothers and sisters, we must understand: Jesus’ teaching here does not say that if a spouse commits sexual immorality, divorce is required.
I previously said that if one spouse commits sexual immorality, divorce can be considered legally justified. This means God will not absolutely oppose divorce in this case, but it does not mean divorce is obligatory.

Remember that at the beginning, marriage was meant to symbolize God’s covenant with His people and Christ’s relationship with the Church. Yet throughout Scripture, Israel often disobeyed God, and He never severed His covenant relationship. Similarly, we often fail and grieve the Holy Spirit, but God does not abandon us; He continually brings us back.

We should treat a spouse who has sinned in marriage in the same way. If they are truly repentant, we should accept them rather than reject them. As we studied before, we are called not to hold grudges, but to forgive. For a spouse who has committed adultery, bring them before God for genuine repentance, and do not harbor resentment. In our own hearts, we too are capable of sin. Pray that God forgives the unfaithful spouse and also forgives us ourselves.

VI. Lessons from these passages

1. Sin begins in the heart
   Our recent Bible studies on anger, adultery, and divorce reveal one truth: sin does not start with outward behavior; it starts in the heart. Hatred is the root of murder, lust is the root of adultery. Actions are the result; the heart is the root. Scripture confirms:
   
   

“Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.” (Book of James 1:15)

2. Jesus’ teaching aims to block the entry points of sin
   Jesus used exaggeration to illustrate:
   
   

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

The purpose is clear: stop sin at its origin. Satan’s temptation often starts by capturing our attention; if lust enters through the eyes, it leads to the heart. Dealing with our “right eye” early is crucial, so that the “right hand” does not act on sin after it has already taken root.

Do not lightly destroy marriage

Marriage is ordained by God and therefore sacred. It is lifelong, and only death can dissolve it.

Even in Jesus’ time, some Jews believed that legal procedures allowed them to divorce at will. Today, many people think divorce is a personal right. But in God’s eyes, it is far more serious.

Adultery is the only legitimate reason for divorce, but even then, divorce is not obligatory. If the unfaithful spouse repents sincerely, the broken marriage can be restored. Therefore, never take the word “divorce” lightly in a marriage.