Jesus raises the moral standard inward: lust as adultery, hatred as murder — God judges the inner person

Jesus does not merely evaluate outward behavior but the inner life of the heart. Matthew 5:27-28: whoever looks at a woman with lust has committed adultery in his heart. Matthew 5:21-22: whoever hates his brother is liable to judgment. God is not evaluating an Instagram profile — he sees who we actually are inside. By this standard, all fall short and need Jesus.