Cut off the Cause of Your Sin

Matthew 5:27-30 KJV

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. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

This cluster of verses Jesus talks about in His Sermon on the Mount begins with don't even think about lusting after another person and to (metaphorically) pluck out the eye that looks upon anyone in that way. It simply means to stop lusting before it turns into a real incident. It means that even thinking about someone in a lustful way is as wrong as the act itself. The last part of these verses, though, I think, is talking about cutting off all sin as Jesus talked about cutting off a hand that offends [your relationship with God, others' relationship with God]. 

Lust for someone else's belongings and lifestyle can be wrong too. That means you aren't satisfied with what God has graciously provided for you. Are things or people more important to you than God is? If so, you are committing idolatry. Do you enjoy being "worshipped" by others? Then you enjoy being the idol, which is dangerously wrong. All idolatry and sin is adultery against God. Are you causing others to sin? Stop it right away, because you will be held accountable for those you drive to hell. Do what you need to do to cut the sin out of your life and to help others do the same. 

Think about this. Is what you gain on earth worth eternity in hell? Look to God for answers to change your life. Be patient. Trust Him. Obey Him. Love Him. Humble yourself to Him. He will help you. Jesus came to sacrifice Himself as the One who could save our souls from the pits of hell. And He didn't leave this earth until He told us and showed us how to do things right. I urge you to listen to the call of the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you to get the help you need or to simply be the help you need to get out of your sin. You can't do it yourself. You need the help of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Spirit) to cut off your sins. You cannot do it without them. Start now with a prayer asking for forgiveness for these sins that offend you and harm your relationship God.

image courtesy of Fa Barboza via Unsplash

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May God bless you and keep you in His care today,

Patricia