The Gospel of MatthewSample

Purity Starts in the Heart

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus doesn’t lower the bar—He raises it. The law said, “Do not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14), but Jesus goes deeper. He teaches that even desiring someone who is not your spouse is sin. Why? Because purity isn’t just about what we do with our bodies—it’s about what we allow in our hearts and minds.

Jesus shows us that true righteousness isn’t surface-level behavior—it’s inner transformation. To be physically faithful in marriage but mentally and emotionally unfaithful is still a betrayal. Jesus is after our whole heart. He wants us to love with sincerity, to forgive freely, and to be people of truth and integrity even in our thoughts.

Later in this passage, Jesus calls us to love not just our friends, but our enemies—to pray for those who wrong us. His way is not about minimal obedience but maximum love.

This kind of purity and love is impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. But Jesus calls us higher because He wants us to reflect His heart.

Respond to God’s Word:

Is there someone you need to forgive or love today—even an “enemy”? Do it in obedience to Jesus, and reflect His radical love.