Matthew 5:28

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Christians have done some strange things because they misinterpret this passage. In particular the term, “lust.” The false thinking goes, when you are attracted to a woman you are looking at, you are committing a sin. Monks in medieval times would brag about not seeing a woman for decades, as if it was an admirable thing. Some would even boast of not seeing their mother or sister for years.

I would argue, this is not what Jesus is getting at. “Lust” is not simple physical attraction. The closest English translation from the original Greek (epithumeo) of this Bible passage is, “to obsessively long for.” In other words, “to fantasize about.”

“Whoever excessively fantasizes about a woman has already committed adultery…”

It’s not as if the monks couldn’t have had a strong imagination without having women present. So let’s get practical.

If you are a married man, you can look at attractive women, just keep your thought life on the wife. If you are single, be attracted, by all means, just don’t produce running movies of women in your mind starring you and them, NC 17. Obviously, for women the same holds true in reverse. Married, keep mind on mate, single, no fantasizing.

Now, it is also true that you don’t need to up the odds for fantasy. So, watch what you are watching. Don’t put yourself in situations where obsessive longing is more likely to occur.