The Seriousness Of Sin

Verse: If your right eye causes you to stumble, 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. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, 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. Matthew 5:29 - 30

No, Jesus is not condoning maiming yourself til you are obedient to Him. He is making a strong statement so we will realize how seriously God takes sin. Too many times we give in to temptation comforting ourselves with the thought that God will forgive us anyway. God does not want us to have a flippant attitude about disobedience. After all, Jesus equates obedience with our love for Him. He wants His followers to hate sin as much as He does.

How many of us have ever disobeyed someone while they were watching us? Usually we will wait until we think no one is watching before we will try to get away with something. Before you give in to temptation try to remember that God is present with you. In the presence of His company will you choose to honor Him or disobey Him?

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for loving me so much that you paid my penalty for my sins. Please help me never to take advantage of your mercy and grace. Help me to remember you are always present with me and to act accordingly. In Jesus name - Amen.

Guarding Against Sexual Sin

Verse: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

Jesus has a way of getting right to the heart of the issue. While the religious leaders of the day were telling men that they shouldn't cheat on their wives, Jesus was saying you shouldn't even lust after a woman who is not your wife! Why? Because Jesus knows that the act of adultery starts in the heart and mind of the individuals involved. A man does not get up in the morning and decide to cheat on his wife. It starts by entertaining impure thoughts and cultivating them to the point that when given the opportunity it is incredibly hard to say "no'.

Our modern society makes it very difficult to go through the day without at least being attacked by one impure thought. Temptation is not a sin, giving in to temptation is. Do not allow yourself to be tricked by the enemy of your soul who says "you're only looking", but ask God for the strength to resist each impure thought.

Prayer: Dear Lord - Thank you for helping us to understand that evil actions start with evil thoughts. Please help us to guard our hearts and minds, and forgive us when we fail. Give us renewed strength each day to live as your children. In Jesus name - Amen.