Jesus is changing his approach now that every aspect of a true believer’s conduct must be characterized by a righteousness that surpasses mere appearance. Note the pattern in these verses. Jesus gave six examples that contrasted pharisaical “righteousness” with true, “surpassing” righteousness. Patterns Of Righteousness  Matthew 5:27-28  1. Adultery Jesus drew the command concerning adultery directly from the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:14). Again, however, we are led to assume that the pharisaical interpretation of adultery was the actual physical act. Jesus insisted that the seventh commandment points in another direction—toward purity that refuses to lust. Believers who claim that Christ’s followers are no longer obligated to follow God’s OT law must keep in mind that Jesus holds his NT followers—including us today—to an even higher standard.  In this case, Jesus not only condemns the act of adultery but also the unrestrained imagination and uncontrolled desire. Christians must be particularly careful to avoid situations that will stir up lustful or pleasure-seeking desires that are not consistent with God’s plans and timing for us. In the area of maintaining sexual purity, both women and men have a responsibility. Both must practice modesty in words, actions, and dress. God calls us to be set apart in all that we do. Our culture cares less and less about putting their body on display. I have noticed this the most when I go to the gym. It seems to me like people go and work out in their underwear. When did that become acceptable? God tells us that whatever we think in our hearts, we do; this tells us that even harmless thoughts can greatly damage us. Matthew 5:29-30  2. Take Extreme Action To Prevent Sin The exhortation to gouge out one’s eye or cut off one’s hand is hyperbole, intended to communicate the point, “Do whatever it takes to correct your heart attitude.” Some people have missed the figure of speech here—hyperbole.  The radical treatment of parts of the body that cause one to sin has led some (notoriously Origen) to castrate themselves. the “right eye” refers to one’s best eye. But why the “right hand” in a context dealing with lust? This may be merely illustrative or a way of saying that even lust is a kind of theft. More likely, it is a euphemism for the male sexual organ. God wants us to take extreme action to avoid this temptation, which, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives. Matthew 5:31-32  3. Divorce Jesus’ quote on rabbinic thinking on divorce was drawn from Deuteronomy 24:1. The Old Testament instruction requiring a divorce certificate did not command divorce. Rather, it provided protection to the woman when a divorce was chosen. It was Moses’ effort to curtail the rampant practice of “easy divorce” among God’s people. Jesus later explained that the purpose of Deuteronomy 24 and other such passages was not to allow divorce but to keep his people within certain boundaries when they chose divorce. Jesus looked beyond the adulterous spouse, even to the possible future partner of that man or woman. In effect, he was limiting the wrongly divorced person’s future marriage options to one—remarriage only to his or her previous spouse. Jesus’ purpose in these two verses was not to explain every detail regarding divorce and remarriage but to help people think differently about his law—to help them begin to see the heart intention behind the letter “of the law.” Jesus’ warning is that divorce is not just as cut and dry as we make it. It will have lasting effects on you and your family for generations to come, even in the best of circumstances. What are our transformational moments? Are you guarding your heart? Are you aggressively cutting sin out of your life? Do you need God’s forgiveness today?