Matthew 5:29-30 Don't Even Get Close - BLOGGING THE BIBLE- JournalHome.com

1/6/2011 - Matthew 5:29-30 Don't Even Get Close

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SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:29-30 “ So if your eye—even your good eye--causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

OBSERVATION: We take sin so lightly; "I guess I made a mistake.", "Alright, I messed up.", or even, "My bad!". Jesus' point here was not to advocate for self-mutilation (besides, when did my eye or hand "cause" me to sin--it's my mind and heart and it is a little hard to get by without those!). He was using this form of speech to simply say; TAKE SIN SERIOUSLY AND DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO TO KEEP IT FROM DESTORYING YOU!
What are we willing to give up to avoid sin? Relationships, places, things, activities, TV, books, the Internet? How often do we lie to ourselves and say, "I know I might be tempted by that, but I can handle it. This time will be different." It won't. We can't and it will destroy the joy, peace, contentment and blessing in our lives. It is simply not worth it.
If we are serious about sin we will get everything out of our lives that makes it easy to sin. Put a filter on the Internet. Break off the relationship that keeps causing me to fall to sexual sin. Get rid of the tempting goodies in my pantry. Throw the beer out of the refrigerator. Get out of the shady business partnership. Quit hanging out with the gossipy friends. Stay out of the mall. Don't start arguments with those that bring out your anger. Whatever it takes--do it!! You will be glad you did.

APPLICATION: Every time I thought I could get close to an area of temptation and not give into the "Dark Side", I have failed. I will not take that chance any more.

PRAYER: LORD help me keep this commitment to being and staying right.

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