As we think, so are we. Solomon said, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life,” Proverbs 4.23. Passage after passage in the God’s word urges us to concentrate on things that are spiritually wholesome, uplifting, and encouraging. Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things,” Philippians 4.8. At one time or another, we have probably all been around a person who looks too long at someone of the opposite sex, and then jokingly says, “It’s OK to look, just don’t touch.” Is this true? Or, is this the first step down an awful road that leads to heartache and ruin? Let’s see what God’s word says.
We must “clean up”our thoughts. Our thoughts must be elevated from carnal lusts and desires. On several occasions, our Lord taught that we must diligently work to have a pure heart. One example is found in Luke 6.44-45 where Jesus said, “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.“ The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” What fills your heart?
We must not minimize sin. If we adopt the “Look but don’t touch” mentality, we have fallen prey to a ploy of the devil The more Satan can fill our heart with lust and the desire to sin, the greater the chance that we will actually follow through. Could this by why Peter wrote, “Be sober, vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour,” 1 Peter 5:8. Satan wants you to minimize sin. He wants you to lust after what God has specifically forbidden.
This matter is eternally serious. The “look but don’t touch” mentality is nothing more than rationalization. This can lead us down a road we do not want to go. Did David’s night of sin with Bathsheeba (2 Samuel 11) start off with a similar and simple thought, “I’ll just stand here and look for awhile…it will not hurt anything.” We know the rest of the story. One thought built upon another, and before long David had invited Bathsheeba into his room. In Jesus‘ day, the Pharisees built their theology around “looking but not touching.” Jesus challenged them to elevate their thoughts. So must we. “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;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,” Matthew 5.27-28.
We must refrain from using such logic. An attitude of that minimizes sinful attitudes and behaviors will lead one away from God. In which direction are you headed?
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