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The Twelfth Lesson: The Message of the Master.1103
and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means
come out thence till thou hast paid the last farthing.” (Matthew 5:21–26)
These verses emphasize the teachings that sin consists not only of deeds
and actions performed, but equally of thoughts and desires entertained and
encouraged in the mind. The desire and thought, made welcome in the mind
of a person, is the seed and germ of the sin or crime, even though they may
never be manifested in action. To wish to kill is a sin, just as is the deed of
killing. This is an old occult teaching, imparted to all candidates for Initiation.
“Ye have heard that it was said Thou shalt not commit adultery, but I say unto
you that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed
adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye causeth thee to
stumble pluck it out and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one
of thy members should perish and not thy whole body be cast into hell. And
if thy right hand causeth thee to offend, cut it off and cast it from thee, for
it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not thy
whole body go into hell. It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife,
let him give her a writing of divorcement, but I say unto you that every one
that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an
adulteress, and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth
adultery.” (Matthew 5:27–32)
In this passage, Jesus expressed the abhorrence of all advanced occultists
for the abuse of the functions of sex. Not only the act, but the thought
behind the act was condemned by him. The advanced occult teaching is
that the function of the sex organization is entirely that of procreation—
aught else is a perversion of nature. Jesus speaks in strong words to men
and women, in this passage, regarding this great question. The concluding
portion of the passage is a condemnation of the abuse of the marriage
relation, and the privilege of divorce, which was being strongly agitated in
His time. He aimed a blow at the careless contracting of marriages, and the
consequent careless dissolution of the tie. Jesus believed in the sacredness