Matthew 5:28 says looking at a woman with lustful intent is already adultery in the heart. Why Scripture provides no escape clause for lust — not even if your spouse withholds.
Lust is not a mere struggle — in Matthew 5:28 Jesus calls it adultery of the heart. Scripture lays down sound doctrine and provides no circumstantial clause to excuse it.
Lust is not a mere “struggle”—it is adultery of the heart. Jesus lays this standard down in Matthew 5:28: “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28 KJV) Scripture provides the sound doctrine, but we are experts at trying to undermine it to preserve our own comfort. Struggling in sin and undermining sound doctrine are two very different things. If you are looking and harboring covetousness for another woman while you are married, it is sin—period.
Whatever the reason you conjure up to justify it, you are undermining the authority of Scripture which is also sin. If your partner withholds their marital duty from you, God knows that, but He does not accept it as an excuse for sin. If you covet another’s wife, this is sin. Scripture lays down the sound doctrine, and it does not provide a “circumstantial clause” for lust. We are called to refine ourselves to Scripture, not to construct clever arguments to try to justify our own sin. You may ask, “Where is the line?” Again, God is looking at the heart. Our goal is not legalism; our goal is correct orientation with Jesus Christ, who is the way. Sound doctrine remains true no matter the situation, the times, or the trends. If you are looking to your circumstances to excuse your lust, you are not looking to Christ.
Read every Scripture quote in your chosen translation (WEB, KJV, Geneva, YLT, and more) at https://www.thelivingsword.org/sound-doctrine/lust
All 26 sound doctrine essays: Sound Doctrine — The Living Sword