THE BIBLE AND COVETOUSNESS

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND COVETOUSNESS

Devotional Text: Heb. 13:5-6

Introduction:

According to the EN English Dictionary, “covetousness is that inordinate desire for the possession of something, especially wealth or money”. And, on this excessive desire for wealth or money, the Scriptural text of this lesson cautions the believer, as it says, “let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have, for he hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (vs. 5 KJV). To this end, also, Jesus says…”take heed, and beware of covetousness, for a man’s life consist not in the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Luke 12:15), which implies that the believer should cultivate the discipline of contentment.

GENERAL REMARKS

     (1)     Covetousness is idol worship before God, (Col. 3:5)

     (2)     Covetousness should not be named among the saints, (Eph. 5:3)

     (3)     Covetousness makes one a fool before God, (Luke 12:15-20)

(4)     Covetousness makes one poor toward God, (Vs 15-21)

COVETOUSNESS AS IDOLATRY

The Holy Bible refers to covetousness as idolatry for the simple fact that it occupies the place of God in the heart(s) of its victim(s). Covetousness drives towards the acute acquisition of wealth or money, leaving little or no room for the worship of God. So, a covetous person worships wealth instead of God. For no one can serve two masters at the same time, for either he will hate one and love the other or else he will hold to one and despise the other. And so, no one can serve God and mammon, (Matt. 6:24). In line with this, therefore, Jesus says, “take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, that is, excessive desire for something or overindulgence, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so the day of the Lord comes on you unawares”, (Luke 21:34). Based on the foregoing, please note that covetousness is that idol that:

(i)                   makes one devote more time to one’s business against the worship and services of the Lord, (Luke 12:15-21)

(ii)                 stirs excessive drive for material things against fellowship and devotion to God, (vs 15-21)

(iii)                inspires one into overindulgence in wealth and money against the love of God and His kingdom, (vs 15-21)

COVETOUSNESS AND CONTENTMENT

Once again, “let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have: for he says, I will not leave, nor forsake you”, (Heb. 13: 5). Here is another faithful promise of the Lord, to keep the believer throughout his endeavours on earth, as He urges them to toe the path of contentment, instead of covetousness. According to the AD free version of the English Dictionary, contentment is “the state of happiness with one’s situation in life”. The Lord expects the believer to be happy and satisfy in every situation in life, that is, whether he is in affluence or not, as well as shun every tendency of covetousness.  This implies that the believer should heartily know that:

(i)                   godliness with contentment is great gain, (1 Tim. 6:6)

(ii)                 all manner of his conversation should be devoid of covetousness, (Heb 13:5)

(iii)                the Lord never forsakes those who are contented with what they have, (vs 5)

COVETOUSNESS AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Word of God, also, shows that… “no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God, (Eph. 5:5). The cited Scripture, once again shows that covetousness is idolatry, and a monster that bars its victims out of the kingdom of Heaven. In the words of Apostle Peter, false prophets and teachers who through covetousness and feigned words make merchandise of the people will face eternal damnation, (2 Peter 2:1-3). This, as well, is a clarion call to be wary of the covetous tendency in certain modern preachers, and in turn avoid them. The simple lesson in the above lines is that:

(i)                   covetousness could cost one the Kingdom of God, (Eph. 5:5)

(ii)                 both false prophets and teachers could be damned by reason of covetousness, (2 Peter 2:1-3)

(iii)                covetousness which is said to  be idolatry will send people to hell, if they fail to repent (Rev.21:8)

In conclusion, this lesson is an attempt to draw the attention of the believer to the biblical truth that covetousness is a mark of godlessness, as contentment is a sign of godliness, which gives the believer the confidence and boldness to always declare his trust in the living God, (Heb. 13: 5-6). The lesson, equally, points to the damnable and final destination of the victims of covetousness, which is the eternal lake of fire, (Rev. 21:8), and by this, advises the believer to ensure that every covetous tendency in his life is dealt with, without compromise. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

                                                                                            Church of:

THE BIBLE AND INCEST

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 

THE BIBLE AND INCEST

Devotional Text: Lev. 18:9-11

Introduction:

According to EN English Dictionary, “incest”, is that “sexual relations between close relatives, especially members of the immediate family and first cousins, which is usually considered a taboo in many jurisdictions”… Thus, the scriptural text of this lesson remarks that, “the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover”. Also, “the nakedness of your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter, their nakedness you shall not uncover; for theirs is your own nakedness”. Furthermore, “the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, begotten by your father- she is your sister-you shall not uncover her nakedness”, (vs 9-11). By way of review, the cited Scripture covers a circle of both the immediate and extended families, paternal and maternal, where any sexual affair among members is considered incest, and so, should be avoided.

GENERAL REMARKS

        (1)       Incest is one of the sins that defiles individuals or nations, (Lev. 18:24)

        (2)       Incest is also one of the sins that attracts the punishment of God upon a land or community, (vs 25)

        (3)       Incest is one of the terrible abominations that both the indigenes and strangers of a nation

                                                                           or community are asked to avoid, (vs 26)

(4)       Incest is one of the abominations that could cut off a person or nation from God and society (vs 27-29)

INCEST AS A TABOO IN BIBLICAL ISRAEL

Socially speaking, a taboo is “an inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion or dislike. In Biblical Israel, such a ban exists on “incest”, which has already been defined as “sexual relations between close relatives”… Though, the Biblical Israel does not tolerate “incest”, it, however, only at extended family level, by certain legal means, permits marriage among close relatives, which Abraham and Sarah (Gen 20:1-12), Isaac and Rebecca (Gen.24) and Jacob, with his two wives, Leah and Rachael, (Gen 28:1-4;29:1-28) are hereby cited, a practice which most communities of the world of today see as “incest”, as well as a crime. This, therefore, means that in Biblical Israel:;

(i)        incest is in focus when close relatives engage in sexual affairs without being legally married, (2 Sam13:1-20)

(ii)      incest is not considered when close relatives  engage in sexual relations when they are legally married, (Gen20:1-12)

(iii)     incest remains a taboo in Biblical Israel by the stipulations of the Law of Moses, despite the legal exemption, (Lev.18:9-10)

INCEST AS A TABOO IN MODERN SOCIETY

The modern societies, with just the exception of a few, see incest as a taboo, as well as an abomination which is capable of defiling the land, and equally breach the blessings of the people. Though, most of the people who hold that incest is evil, may not have based their belief on biblical principles, but on certain customs that favour the gods of the land, and by so doing, also bring their people into idolatry, (Ex. 20:3-6). Incest is a sin against God (Lev. 18:9-11) and not just against the people’s customs, and so, those involved should repent and confess to God, as well as avoid any unbiblical practice, for the “so called” cleansing of the land, Furthermore, let it be stated here that incest is a universal phenomenon that affects every society of the world, ancient or modern, and that the God of Israel, whom Moses represents, is the God of the universe, and so, His Law against incest remains a universal law which, therefore, affects every segment of the human society. To this end, it becomes mandatory for every human society to;

(i)                    refrain from incest which is an abomination before the Lord, (Lev. 18:9-11;26-27)

(ii)                  acknowledge that the Mosaic Law forbidding incest, is the law of God, and not just

 the traditional law of any human society (Lev. 18:27-28)

(iii)                 should see to it that all those who are found guilty of incest in society are punished in line with biblical provisions,

 and not by traditional provisions, which hinges on gods of the land, and thus, idolatry, (vs 29;Ex.20:3-5).  

INCEST AS A TABOO  IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The scriptural expression, “it is reported commonly that there is fornication among you and such fornication that is not so much among the Gentiles that one should have his father’s wife (1 Cor.5:1) shows how the early Christian church frowned at the immorality of taking one’s father’s wife to bed, and no doubt, no one with a living conscience that is without the conviction that incest, is more abhorring than having sexual affairs with one’s father’s wife. And so, in today’s Christian church, any one, clergy or layman, who treats incest with levity, is on the side of the devil, whose aim is to steal, kill and destroy, (John 10:10). Incest is a moral sin against God, and the Law of Moses tackling it, is a moral law inspired by the God of the universe, and thus, a universal law, covering every generation of humankind, including the Christian church of all ages. Therefore, if the;

(i)        the law of Moses and modern society abhor incest, the Christian church of today should toe the same path, (Lev. 18:9-10)

(ii)      early Christian church called for the ex-communication of  those  who had sexual affairs with their fathers wives, the present

day church should do same to those who practice incest, (1 Cor. 5:1-2)

(iii)     Christian Church of today condones incest, it then means that the moral life of the church is deeply in trouble, (vs 1-2)

In conclusion, by this lesson, it has become obvious that the Biblical Israel, the Modern Society and the Early Christian Church did not treat incest with soft clove. The Christian church of today should not do otherwise. PLEASE, BE INFORMED.

THE BIBLE AND DIVORCE

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND DIVORCE

Devotional Text: Matt. 5:31-32

Introduction:

For a start, please, note that…”God hates divorce”… (Mal. 2:16). To this end, Adam Clarke in his Bible commentary remarks that, “he also notes those who frame idle excuses to cover up the violence they have done to the wives of their youth, by putting them away, and taking others in their place, when their own wives have been worn down in domestic services. Divorce was legal in Israel, (Deut. 24:1-4). But, Malachi in his reaction kicks against the legislation, as he hints that God hates divorce, legal or not, upholding that the marriage covenant between a man and woman should be kept faithfully, (2:16). In Matthew’s account of the Gospel, Jesus gives reason for the legality of divorce in the law of Moses, as He also remarks that, “whoever shall put away his wife, if not for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery. And the one who marries her who was put away commits adultery” (Matt. 19:1-9)

GENERAL REMARKS

     (1)       God hates divorce and any cover-up that leads to it,(Mal. 2:16)

     (2)       In the Scripture, Jesus shows that infidelity could be the only ground for divorce, (Matt. 19: 9)

     (3)       In His dramatic response to the temptation of the Scribes and  the Pharisees, He also shows

      that forgiveness of infidelity is better than divorce by death, (John 8:1-11)

(4)       Jesus finally remarks that marriages is God’s institution, and so, what God has joined

 together, let no man separate, (Matt 19:3-6)

DIVORCE AND THE LAW OF MOSES

                        The Scripture, “when a man takes a wife and marries her, then it shall be, if she find no favour in his eyes because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorce”… (Deut 24:1) shows the legality of divorce in the Law of Moses. But, Jesus says that Moses allowed the legality of divorce because of the hardness of the hearts of the people, stressing that in the beginning it was not so, which indicates the need to return to the original plan, (Matt.19:1-8). By implication, Jesus’ remark shows that if the heart of man becomes renewed, divorce would die a natural death, and this, His atoning death achieved, (Rom. 7:4-6). In line with this, therefore, it becomes instructive that;

(i)                    The law of Moses reveals the hardness of the heart of the unredeemed

 man that results in frequent divorce, (Matt.19:7-8)

(ii)                  The atoning death of Jesus brings redemption and renewal to the heart of man

 that enables him remain in God’s original plan for the institution of marriage, (Rom.7:4-6)

(iii)                 Those who divorce their life partners demonstrate the fact of their hardness of heart

 by dint of the old nature, and this shows that they are in need of redemption, (Matt.19:8; Rom.7:6).

DIVORCE AND MODERN LEGISLATION

Statistically, the rate of divorce in modern world is alarming. And, in response, piles of legislations have been put in place by different segments of the human society to handle the problem. But, the upsurge of divorce in human society remains traceable to the hardness of the heart of the un-redeemed man. Today, marriages are dissolved in courts, via legislations or personal volition, and these indicate serious moves against the Word of God, which holds that once marriages are contracted, divorce should not be contemplated, (Matt. 19:3-6). Therefore, by the verdict of God’s word, no;

(i)                    court or legal institution in the world has the right to dissolve marriage,

 as no one is given the authority to do so, (vs 4-6)

(ii)                  individual, no matter how highly placed, is in position to put asunder what God has joined together, (vs 4-6).

(iii)                 authority is given to any religious leader, whether by church legislation,

 or whatever means to dissolve any marriage contracted before God and man, (vs 4-6).

DIVORCE AND FORGIVENESS

This lesson biblically indicates that Jesus says that infidelity is the only factor that could warrant divorce, (Matt.19:9). It  also put forth that the same Jesus dramatically shows that forgiveness is the best way to stop divorce, and return to God’s original plan in marriage(vs 7-8), if the offender (in infidelity) is willing to repent and turn a new leaf, (John 8:11). And, for the biblical fact that God promises a heart of flesh, in replacement of the stony heart (Ezek. 36:26), which informs the  hardness of heart that forced Moses into the legality of divorce (Matt. 19:8), and now, available through the redemptive work of Christ  (Eph.4:21-25), it becomes obvious that the teaching of Jesus shows that;

(i)                    God’s original plan should prevail in marriage, (Matt. 19:3-6)

(ii)                  hardness of heart should not be allowed to prevail over marriage (Vs.709)

(iii)                 forgiveness should override infidelity, where the offender is willing to sin no more, (John 8:1-11).

In conclusion, please, note that Jesus says that sexual immorality could permit divorce (Matt. 19:9) does not mean He approves divorce, nor does He mean that such a sin should continue in marriage simply because He canvasses                                                                                                                                                                                                                                for forgiveness, (John 8:1-11), as the golden rule in this case remains, “go and sin no more,” (vs.11).  And, in all, a proper exegesis of the teaching of Jesus on marriage and other relevant scriptures show that divorce is not permitted in whatever guise, (Matt.19:1-9; Mal.2:16). PLEASE NOTE!

THE BIBLE AND ADULTERY (Part 1)

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND ADULTERY (Part 1)

The Snare of Adultery

Devotional Text: Lev. 20:10; John 8:1-11

Introduction:

The EN English Dictionary defines “adultery” as “sexual intercourse by a married person with someone other than their spouse”. According to the main text of this lesson, in the Old Testament, the man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death”,(Lev. 20:10). However, in the New Testament, Jesus associates the sin with divorce, as He says,…”whoever puts away his wife except for the cause of sexual immorality makes her an adulteress, and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery”, (Matt. 5:32). But, adultery is adultery, whether with someone in marriage or with someone put out of marriage, as the simple biblical verdict on the subject-matter remains, “thou shall not commit adultery”, (Ex. 20:14).

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)       Adultery is a snare to death, (Lev. 20:10)

(2)       Adultery is equally a snare to social disgrace, (John 8:2-4)

(3)       Adultery is also a snare to seduction and false doctrine, (Rev. 2:18-21)

(4)       Adultery is finally a snare to hell, (Rev. 21:8).

ADULTERY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

No controversy, “he who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul”, (Prov. 6:32). Thus, the Lord, by Moses, puts a ban on adultery, to cushion the effect of the foolishness arising from the despicable act. Adultery, in the Law of Moses, was a snare to physical death, (Lev. 20:10). And, those who were victims of the menace, were indeed, void of understanding, (Prov. 6:32). Even today, adultery remains a snare to death, and can still result in physical death (Lev 20:10), as well as eternal death, (Rev. 21:8), as many have been physically killed or died under mysterious circumstances because of their involvement in the sin of adultery, which hitherto, has sent them to hell, which is eternal death, (vs 8). To this end, therefore, please note that the Law of Moses which bans adultery is a moral and universal law, since it comes from the God of the whole universe, and so, applicable to all mankind. In line with the forgoing, it becomes biblically proper to state that;

i)                     Adultery was a snare to death in the Old Testament (Lev. 20:10), and remains

 a snare to eternal death (Rev. 21:8) in all generations.

ii)                    Those who committed adultery in the Old Testament were void of understanding (Prov. 6:32),

as those who do the same in today’s world also  wallow in foolishness and self destruction, (vs. 32).

iii)                  Adultery should strictly be avoided, as a way of stopping the physical death (Lev. 20:10)

 it could bring, as well as the eternal death (Rev. 21:8) it leads to, hereafter.

ADULTERY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

In the Gospel, according to Luke, Jesus remarks that, “everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery.  He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery”, (Luke 16:18). Please note that Luke’s account of the Gospel gives no reason that could warrant a divorce, but simply states the obvious truth that, one who disengages from marriage, male or female, for another partner is automatically in adultery, (vs 18). This emphatically means that, if one must divorce, one must not remarry. Yet, this is not the original plan of God for marriage institution, which declares that, “what God joins together, no one should put asunder”, (Matt. 19:4-6). And so, in God’s order of marriage, there is nothing like, married, but separated, which is expressed in today’s world as “MS”, (vs. 6). Therefore, the whole thing boils down to the biblical truth that;

(i)                    One who divorces one’s partner for another commits adultery (Luke 16:18) and also in violation

of God’s Word, “what God joined together, let no one put asunder”, (Matt 19:4-6)

(ii)                  One who divorces one’s partner with the decision to remain un-married is yet guilty of another Scripture , “it is not good for one to live without a partner” (Gen 2:18), as well as in violation of the  Scripture, “what God joins together, let no one put asunder”, (Matt. 19:4-6).

(iii)                 One can only be free from the consequences of adultery (Luke 16:18) and separation

(Matt. 19:4-6) that come as a result of divorce, only when one marries and remains faithful in marriage (vs. 4-6),

 until death do them part, (Rom. 7:2-3)

ADULTERY AND CHURCH JEZEBEL

The name jezebel in the Bible is first mention in reference to the wife of Ahab, who became an evil influence on her husband, (1 kgs. 21:25). Also, the second time the name is mentioned, now in the book of Revelation, Jesus, as well pictures it as an evil influence of adultery, though, this time, not in reference to the wife of Ahab. In a message to the church in Thyatira, the Lord remarks thus, “I know your works, your love, faith, service, patient endurance and that your last works are more than the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality (adultery) and to eat things sacrificed to idols”, (Rev. 2:19-20). Today, in the Christian church, no doubt, there are “Church Jezebels”, in other words, women of easy virtue, who may be prophetesses or not, whose stock in trade is to seduce God’s people into adultery and other forms of immorality. To such a category of women (and men), and those snared or seduced into adultery in the present day church, the Lord still says, if you fail to repent, adultery could;

(i)                    bring you to a sickbed, (vs. 21-22)

(ii)                  lead you into great oppression, (vs. 21-22)

(iii)                 cause the death of your children, (vs. 23)

In conclusion, please, remember that this lesson depicts adultery as a snare to death (Lev. 20:10), social disgrace (John 8:2-4), seduction/false doctrine (Rev. 2:18-21) and hell, (Rev. 21:8), as it says that, “he who commits adultery is void of understanding, and by so doing destroys his own soul”, (Prov. 6:32). THINK ABOUT IT!

THE BIBLE AND ADULTERY (PART 2)

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE BIBLE AND ADULTERY (PART 2)

The Believer and Mental Adultery

Devotional Text: matt. 5:27-30

Introduction:

Mental adultery is that sexual sin that goes on in the mental circuit, via the heart of an individual by reason of the attraction of the opposite sex. This sin can affect both sexes (male or female), though, Jesus addresses the male dimension of the problem, (vs. 28). Human beings are known for the masquerading of their inner actions, since they are not easily detected by other humans, but God searches the heart and sees the inner-most part of man with certainty, (Jer. 17:9-10). Thus, Jesus cites the problem of “mental adultery”, as he warns that it carries the same implication with the actual adultery.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     Mental adultery is triggered off by unholy sight at the opposite sex, (Matt 5:28)

(2)     The believer, like Job, can overcome mental adultery by making covenant with his eyes, (Job 31:1)

(3)     Mental and actual adultery are the same in the sight of God, (Matt 5:28)

(4)     The believer should resist the temptation of mental adultery to avoid being dragged

         together to hell with the victims of actual adultery, (Rev. 21:8)

MENTAL ADULTERY AND THE EYE

The expression of Jesus, “anyone who looks at a woman and lusts after her”… (Matt. 5:28), characterizes the one whose glance at the opposite sex is not checked by holy restraint, and one who has the habit of impure purpose of lusting after the opposite sex. This, therefore, remains a wake-up call, urging the believer not to allow the devil to use the lens of his eyes to record any unholy sight that leads to sin. Mental adultery begins from what catches the eyes, that is, the attraction of the opposite sex. So, the believer should always ensure that;

(i)             he does not expose his eyes to any sight at the opposite sex that could trigger

off extra-marital sexual contemplations, (Matt. 5:28)

(ii)           all his sights at the opposite sex are checked by holy restraint, to avoid

the infiltration of unholy sexual desires, (vs. 28)

(iii)          he pays no attention to the fleshly attraction of any individual of the opposite sex,

apart from the spouse to avoid being lured into mental adultery, (vs. 28)

MENTAL ADULTERY AND THE HEART

The sin of adultery in the Old Testament Scripture is strictly forbidden, (Ex.20:14). And, in the New Testament, Jesus did not make the matter light, but indicates that the sin goes beyond what one can see, as He cites that the heart could also be the theatre of the act, (Matt. 5:28). Furthermore, the heart is said to be the brewer of evil thoughts that lead to condemnation, which adultery is one of them, (Matt. 15:19). So, the believer should constantly monitor what goes on in his heart and ensures that nothing wrong is permitted. According to Jesus, mental adultery is a matter of “lust of the flesh” that goes on in the heart for the opposite sex (Matt. 5:28), which the believer must resist, if he must be free from the judgment of damnation. Therefore, the believer, by this, is enjoined to;

(i)                   keep his heart with all diligence, which is said to be the point of all issues of life, (Pro 4:23)

(ii)                 always stamp out “adulterous lusts” whenever it raises its ugly head in the heart, (Matt. 5:28)

(iii)                maintain purity of heart before God and man, as a way of seeing God hereafter, (Matt 5:8)

MENTAL ADULTERY AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

Basically, adultery is that extra-marital sexual affair or sin between two married individuals or between an unmarried and married person. In the Old Testament the sin of adultery attracts death sentence by stoning (Lev.20:10). However, in the New Testament, Jesus shows his willingness to forgive the sin, if one truly repents (Jn. 8:1-11), but stresses that the sin could also be mentally committed (Matt. 5:28), and by implication carries the same judgment,(Rev.21:8). This, therefore, means that adultery is adultery, whether physically (Ex. 20:14) or mentally (Matt. 5:28) committed. Based on this, the believer is hereby informed that adultery, whether physically or mentally committed;

(i)             evokes God’s judgment on one, (Rev. 21:8))

(ii)           bars one out of the kingdom of God, (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

(iii)          portrays one as dog outside the gate of heaven, (Rev. 22:15)

In conclusion, please be reminded that mental adultery is a sin of the heart, which is said to be deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9), and so, means that the heart can deceive one who fails to monitor its activities. Note, also that the eye is one of the sponsors of the heart. Therefore, the believer should always ensure that his eyes do not let into his heart what may result in mental adultery, which eventually leads to final judgment. BE WARNED!