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  PURE EYES AND CLEAN SPEECH
  by F.B. Meyer
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Summary: Jesus teaches that purity of eyes and speech are essential to a
life of faith and obedience.

Topics: "Purity", "Integrity in Speech"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 5:27-30, Matthew 12:36-37, James 1:14-15

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DESCRIPTION
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F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of purity in both sight and speech,
illustrating how Jesus transcends the old laws by addressing the heart's
intentions rather than just actions. He warns against allowing lustful
thoughts to take root, urging believers to redirect their gaze towards
God for cleansing. Meyer also critiques the casual use of oaths and
swearing, highlighting the need for sincerity in our words and the
gravity of invoking God's name. The sermon calls for a proactive
approach to sin, advocating for the prevention of temptation before it
manifests into actions.

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CONTENT
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Matthew 5:27-37

The legislation of the old time insisted that no member of the
commonwealth should commit adultery, and enforced terrible penalties.
See Deuteronomy 22:22-24. But the Divine Man, who reads the human heart
with perfect accuracy, goes behind the deed to its premonitory stages,
legislates about the look that may inflame passion, and condemns the
soul that does not instantly turn the eye from that which allures it, to
the All-Holy, asking to be cleansed not with tears only but with blood.
The first act in the religious life is to detect right and wrong in the
thought or intention. If the tempter is arrested there, He is powerless
to hurt. Kill the snake in the egg!

The prohibition against swearing does not deal with taking an oath in
the law court.

During His trial by the high priest, our Lord did not resent being put
on His oath. On rare and solemn occasions we may have to bare our heads
before God and ask Him to corroborate our word. But how different is
this from the frequent and flippant use of expletives and extravagances
of speech.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/fb-meyer/pure-eyes-and-clean-speech/
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