Sun 2020.08.02
Reading from Matthew Chapter 18 ASV, see also Job 31:1
About two weeks ago, I wrote briefly on the teachings of our Lord Iesou, from Matthew Chapter 5, entitled "Eyes over evil, Hands over heart", where I observed that sin is committed by our hands and our eyes, among other parts of our body, and that in order to stop committing sin, it is necessary to turn our hands, and our eyes, away from temptation.
Today, thirteen chapters later, I see the same teaching being commanded again by our Lord.
It's in your hands . . . again
Just as our Lord commanded in His Sermon on the Mount earlier, he commands his disciples again here in chapter 18, that if their hand, or foot, or eyes cause them to sin, in this case "to stumble", or to be "that man" through whom the occasion of stumbling comes (verse 7), then they should cut those limbs off, if they have to.
Christians often attribute sin, or yielding to temptation, as a form of weakness, a lack of self-control, something that comes from our strong desires, our lusts, something in our thoughts, in our hearts and minds. In fact, the Epistle general of James does tell us that when we're tempted, we're being drawn away and enticed by our desires, our lusts.
James 1:14 ASV
but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed
This morning, however, I read both here in Matthew 18 and the earlier passage in Matthew 5, that we should turn our attention away from our lusts and desires, and instead pay attention to the parts of our body that causes us to commit sin, our hands, and our feet, and our eyes, among others.
It is our hands, feet and eyes that actually cause us to stumble. We should, as it were, cut off our hands or feet, and even pluck out eye and throw it away, if it were so necessary!
As an example of turning our eyes away from looking lustfully at that which tempts us, we can follow the example of Job, who said in Job 31:1 ASV, "I made a covenant with mine eyes; How then should I look upon a virgin?"
Yes, dear Brothers and Sisters, let us make a covenant with our hands not to reach out to commit sin. Let us make a covenant with our feet, not to turn aside from the path of righteousness. And let us make a covenant with our eyes, not to look lustfully at that which is sinful in the sight of God.
Fighting temptation, it is all in our hands .
Matthew 18:7 - 10 ASV
7 Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!
8 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
9 And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.
10 See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:29 - 30 ASV
29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.
