By[29] “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” — Matthew 5:29-30 NKJV
Matthew 5:27-30 are famous Bible verses where Jesus spoke about adultery. Before He came physically to the earth, people thought that adultery was about an unmarried couple having sexual relations. This definition holds. However, Jesus extended it. He said that even if a man lustfully looks upon a woman, he has committed adultery with her in his heart (not the woman’s heart.) So there are so many men that have committed adultery without even the women involved knowing.
But Jesus, as usual, wasn’t only concerned with describing problems but also giving out solutions. So to prevent adultery, he said if it’s our eyes or hands that cause us to sin, we should get rid of them. The first time I read the scripture as a babe in Christ, I thought about paying money to do surgery to take these body parts off. But little did I know that Jesus was speaking metaphorically.
Jesus wasn’t only concerned with describing problems but also giving out solutions.
When Jesus said we should get rid of any body part that causes us to sin, He was cautioning us to take precautions to control ourselves from getting involved in evil deeds.
For example, suppose you’re a bachelor who struggles to control your sexual desires for a season in your life; you can decide not to be in a room with a woman alone except your sister or mother. Or, you can also change your phone settings to filter out all porn sites from appearing in your social media or website discover feeds.
When Joseph knew that Potiphar’s wife wanted him in bed, he decided not to be with her (Genesis 39:12-13 NIV). It was a precaution he took to guard his life. How much more are we?
God understands that we’re humans. He knows our tendency of coming into contact with temptations. So He has given us self-control as a part of the Holy Spirit’s fruit. He has given us intellect and spiritual senses to discern what’s good and evil. Don’t assume things.
Be watchful of your life and prayerful. Set clear boundaries on people you engage with to do certain things in your life, lest you end up going extreme with them. Sustain your godly integrity by divine wisdom.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Oh God, open my eyes to discern evil approaching; so that I’ll take precautions to guard myself against falling into the traps of the enemy. Help me to maintain my godly integrity as Your child. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 354
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