Adultery, as taught by our Savior in Matthew 5:27-30, begins in the heart long before any physical act occurs. Jesus emphasizes that lustful thoughts are the root of this sin, urging us to address the heart's condition rather than merely the outward behavior. He illustrates the severity of this internal struggle by suggesting extreme measures like plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand if they lead to sin, pointing to the deeper need for heart transformation. In Matthew 15:19-20, Jesus further explains that out of the heart come evil thoughts, adulteries, and fornications, which truly defile a person. During a dinner where the Pharisees criticized Him and His disciples for not washing before eating, He taught that cleansing the mind is far more crucial than cleansing the hands, as the heart is the source of defilement. Jesus advises repentant Christians to combat sexual sin at its origin by changing the heart and exercising self-control. With the aid of God's Holy Spirit, diligently working to purify the heart—the wellspring of motivations—can halt physical transgressions. If motivations are aligned with the love of God, sins like adultery will become repugnant to us as they are to Him. Purifying the heart is a formidable challenge, as human nature resists change, and redirecting basic drives is a monumental task. Yet, God calls us to this purification, as seen in James 4:8, urging sinners to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts. In a highly sexualized culture, this task is even more daunting, but by His power within us, overcoming sexual immorality is possible.