Matthew 5:27-30 (New International Version)
Adultery
27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, 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. 30And if your right 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 go into hell.
Jesus is very clear as to how He wants us to deal with sin, and specifically sexual sin in this passage. Although this passage seems as though it is speaking directly to men, this is definitely an issue both men and women can relate to. Often times we may have lustful thoughts of another person and I believe it doesn't always have to be sexual. You may be attracted to someone due their looks or their personality. But whatever the reason may be, it is imperative that we be able to control ourselves and stop these thoughts before they lead to action.
We must trust in our Lord that He has the strength and power to cut out sins that may be tearing us apart if we ask. We must also realize that we, too, have the will to stop.
So often we think to ourselves that it's not a problem, but we must be honest with ourselves and especially to our Lord who is most honest with us.
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3 comments:
thanks, esther, for an honest and insightful reflection. the words of Jesus make us squirm and turn red, but nothing but His words can so accurately "judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (hebrews 4:12).
again this passage examines the common theme that has been running throughout the whole sermon on the mount thus far: outward actions vs inward motives and desires.
Jesus reiterates the truth that the very thought, the least desire, is enough to condemn you to "the fire of hell" (verse 22).
what really struck me here was Jesus's statement that "if your right hand causes you to sin, cut if off and throw it away. it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell" (verse 29).
what is causing us to sin in our lives? whatever it is, Jesus is telling us to "cut if off". He is making the extreme statement that that sin is causing you to be in danger of "the fire of hell".
He is exhorting us to be drastic with the sin in our lives. often, getting rid of that sin or that habit or that person will be as painful as cutting off a limb or plucking out an eye.
yet He says it is better to lose that one thing, as painful as it is, than "for the whole body to go into hell" (v 30). we need to hear these words from the One who knows all things and endured the fires of hell for our sake. He knows of what He speaks.
Thanks Esther! Today's passage is helping me reflect on things that I should cut out of my life.
Thanks Esther.
I agree with everyone when they commented on how difficult it is to cut out the sin from our lives. It's not easy at all and it's definitely easier said than done, I bet for most of us. I'm afraid that is something that I fail miserably at, as we all probably do.
I've noticed something about how radical this passage is especially when it comes to dealing with the sin of adultery. I think it emphasizes how easy it is to commit this sin even without thinking about it. I mean we are such visually stimulated creatures that we judge a person based on looks before anything else and whether we like it or not we will think impure thoughts about them from time to time. It's a gross truth to think about but regardless, it's the truth. This is a sin that we commit frequently and therefore we need to guard our hearts and our eyes carefully.
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