If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
Matthew 18:8
Jesus’ words here in Matthew 18:8 may seem extreme at first glance, but they underscore the severity of sin and its consequences. Sin is not something to be taken lightly or tolerated in our lives. It is a destructive force that separates us from God and leads to spiritual death.
Jesus’ use of “cutting off a hand or foot” illustrates the drastic measures required to deal with sin decisively. He is not advocating literal self-mutilation but rather emphasizing the importance of taking radical steps to remove anything that leads us into sin, even if it means making significant sacrifices.
Sin often starts out small but can quickly escalate and entangle us in its web. Like a cancer, it spreads and corrupts every aspect of our lives if left unchecked. That’s why Jesus urges us to deal with sin swiftly and decisively, before it gains a foothold and leads us down a path of destruction.
But Jesus’ words are not just about avoiding punishment; they are also about embracing the abundant life that God desires for us. He contrasts the temporary discomfort of self-denial with the eternal consequences of unrepentant sin. It is far better to make sacrifices in this life and enter into eternal life with God than to indulge in sin and face eternal separation from Him.
Today, let us examine our lives honestly and prayerfully consider if there are areas where sin is present. May we be willing to take radical measures to root out sin from our lives, trusting in God’s grace to empower us and His promise of eternal life to sustain us.
Pray
Lord, thank You for Your warning against the dangers of sin and Your call to radical obedience. Give me the strength and courage to confront my sins and to take decisive action to get rid of it. May Your Spirit empower me to walk in holiness and obedience, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
