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Gerard wrote:

Hi, guys —

Matthew 5:28 says:

28 But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)

Does this mean:

  • only a single man lusting after a married woman
  • a married man lusting after a single woman, or
  • does it also refer to a single man lusting after a single woman
    • and if it does, then how will people ever fall in love?

Gerard
  { Can you clarify Matthew 5:28 and if one can't lust after someone, how will people ever fall in love? }

John replied:

Hi, Gerard —

It refers to all people; not just men. Women can lust as much as men.

There is a difference between:

  • being (smitten|love-struck) by someone when you see them, and
  • looking at someone while entertaining sexual fantasies.

If you are smitten, you are attracted, but the initial physical attraction is not lustful.

You may be attracted by a smile, a look, or the person's eyes; your thoughts don't go right to sex. You want to get to know the person.

Looking at someone with a lustful eye, usually means you're not looking at the person's face, rather you are focusing on parts of the body.

John
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