“Let us hear THE CONCLUSION of the whole matter: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, For this is man’s all.” (Eccl. 12:13) Ecclesiastes is referred to as the Book of Awakening and Rejecting, it may seem like a strange book, but it’s more relevant than ever. Too many are chasing after the wind, looking for satisfaction in work, family, and success–all good things, but for personal satisfaction. Jesus quoted Isaiah, “These people honor me with their lips, but THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME. They worship me in vain; their teachings are the COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.” (Matt. 15:8-9) So, it comes down to the COMMANDMENTS OF MEN vs THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
Let’s, for example, look at the 7th commandment, adultery. We need to be clear on the definition of adultery. Adultery is defined as “the committing of voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not his/her spouse.” Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who LOOKS AT A WOMAN LUSTFULLY has ALREADY committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27-28) lust: desire to have someone you are not lawfully allowed to have.
IT IS A MATTER OF OUR HEART NOT JUST OUR ACTIONS!
-Bill Stockham