cut your arm off ?

« And if your right hand causes you to sin, 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: 30 

If our right hand causes to sin, it has to be cut off. Most people certainly don’t want to cut their arms, but think of all the stuffs you can cut off, because they lead you to do things contrary to the will of God.

For instance, there are so many entertainments which can become misleading:  

·      The Internet can lead you to pornography or masturbation,

·       Some television programs can have tempting content etc.

Jesus teaches us that, instead of dwindling in front of the temptation, you should simply “cut it off and throw it away”. It’s better to loose your computer, your friends, your video games, your “favorite television program” etc. than your soul.

«Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  »  2 Corinthians 5: 17

We don’t have to consider that as a set of rules, but it should rather be free initiatives driven by Jesus Himself. Indeed, as Christians, we get a new nature. Nothing has to get over us. Our strength is in Jesus. All those barriers can be cut off thanks to Him. However, even though, we actively want to cut them off, we can still get into them. What should we do in that case? When the bad thought comes out, just tell it: "shut up in the name of Jesus".

Sometimes, we like to entertain those thoughts, but we should be able to tell the thought right off, "get out in Jesus's name". However, we often look for excuses instead of just fleeing them. The Bible says that we are free from sins. So, don’t underestimate God. If you believe that you are a new creation, that you have been regenerated and your old nature has gone, confess it openly.

«Therefore, my dear friends flee from idolatry. »1 Corinthians 10: 14

Don’t spare your time, with stuff that can cost your life. The Bible says that sins lead us to death. So, get away! Flee! Rather replace them with every actions and thinkings seeking God’s “good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12: 2).

Don't dwindle in front of the temptation, but step out with faith and freely talk to the holy spirit about what you are living. Don't forget: "You are able to overcome". So, tell to yourself: "I can do that thanks God who gives me strength". I challenge you to examine your hearts and to allow God to lead you away from every sin you are fighting against. It’s not on our own power, but rather on Jesus’s power.