“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.” – Mark 9:43
Since all sin flows out of our hearts and minds, your hand can’t literally cause you to sin. So, put down the knife and listen to the deadly serious point Jesus is making here! If there’s ANYTHING in your life that routinely tempts you to sin in a way you can’t handle, you need to simply get rid of that thing. Holiness is too important to Jesus to keep that thing around.
Think carefully about those times you fall into sin – whatever that sin may be. What’s the common thread? Is it a thing like a smartphone, app, or computer? Is it a place? Is it an activity you’re doing? Particular people you’re with? A particular time of day or night?
Whatever it is, Jesus says to cut it out of your life. Don’t mess with it at all. Take whatever extreme steps you need to take to eliminate that source of temptation. It’s better to go through life without that activity, person, place, or thing than to continue to be defeated by the temptation that comes with it. You were redeemed from your sin by the sacrifice of Jesus. He didn’t die for you to keep flirting with sin and losing your battle with temptation. He died to give you victory!
Sometimes that victory means wisely knowing how to avoid a battle you’re likely to lose. What are those battles? How can you avoid them? What are you willing to do to maintain your holiness for the glory of God? #FollowJesus