Do we have something in our lives that consumes us, causing us to act in ways that are not in accordance with God’s Word? I am sure that most of us have something that gets in our way.
“29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” – Matthew 5:29-30 (ESV)
Notice in the verses above that we should be removing that with causes our sin. Jesus is speaking figuratively with the reference to the law of the time. If someone was caught stealing, a punishment was to remove the hand (if you have to hand, you cannot steal).
Jesus was not advocating the removal of the hand or the eye, only making the connection to something people already knew. If we are aware, or are made aware of a desire that could lead to sin, then we should take action now to avoid the sin (“it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell”). If the liquor store you drive by continually temps you to stop and buy more to feed your drinking habit, then decide on and take a different route. If you are made aware of your increasing tendency to seclude yourself from others, then get rid of your video game console that consumes your time.
We find ourselves in a situation where our temptations become desires and desires become actions. When the temptations and desires arise, it is better to remove them than to act on them. It is better to be without something than to allow it to continue consuming our minds, for if left unchecked, we will likely act.
Your actions, what is the likelihood that they began as temptations and desires? Are you aware of those temptations and desires? Will you begin to take action to remove them in the interest of being better without?
Trevor's Thoughts 