Pursue God To Overcome ObstaclesSample

Dealing with Sin

Matthew 18:8-9 provides an important insight into how to deal with sin,

“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. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”

The eye represents the thought life, where sin is conceived. The hand represents that sin actually being carried out. And the foot is where it becomes a walk, a pattern, an entrenched habit of life, a sinful lifestyle.

When Jesus says, “Cut it off,” He is speaking of ruthless self-judgment. And He didn’t stop there. He said, “Cut it off and cast it from you.” In other words, get as far away from the source of your sin as you can.

I remember one day I walked right into a spider web. As I did, I caught a glimpse of this huge orange-colored spider out of the corner of my eye. As I hit the web, I felt it get on my neck. I started doing a war dance, hitting myself and ripping my shirt off, trying to get that thing off me.

And you know what? The moment a sinful thought lands in your mind, you ought to do the same thing, go on the warpath! Start batting that thing away! Start quoting Scriptures.

Do whatever you can to keep it from sinking its teeth into your life. As Jesus said, it will be better for you if you do!