Lust
Jesus clarifies the seventh commandment by explaining it further:
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 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 5:27-28
The next two verses say to pluck out your eye or cut off your hand if it causes you to sin, so your whole body doesn't end up in the everlasting punishment of hell. Just because a person closes their eyes to this teaching doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I can see in my mind's eye people of that day getting up and leaving Jesus's sermon because they didn't like him expanding that commandment. Nevertheless, he said it and clarified the commandment, making it more of a heart issue. Just because this commandment seems only to be pointed at men, women also have some responsibility for a lustful reaction. Matthew Henry says it this way:
"And if looking be lust, they who dress and deck, and expose themselves, with design to be looked at and lusted after (like Jezebel, that painted her face and tired her head, and looked out at the window) are no less guilty. Men sin, but devils tempt to sin."
Again we have a very hard teaching, but also an issue of the heart. If your heart is bent towards Jesus, it's much easier to control your reactions because the Holy Spirit has slapped your hand enough times that you've stopped crossing into sinful behavior. Jesus said all of this to show us the need for him, and offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins so that we don't have to pay the price for our behavior if we trust in him.
If this teaching strikes a nerve with you, and you haven't turned your life over to Jesus, today might be a good day to do that.
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