What practical steps can we take to remove sin from our lives? Hearing Jesus Speak Literally Matthew 18:9 says, “And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” Jesus is not using empty hyperbole. He is telling the truth about the deadly seriousness of sin and the drastic action required to defeat it. Identify the Offending “Eye” • Examine daily where, when, and how you stumble (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Ask the Spirit to expose hidden traps before they become habits (Psalm 139:23-24). • Name specific behaviors, relationships, media, places, or thought patterns that ignite temptation. Remove, Don’t Rationalize • Physically eliminate whatever feeds the sin—delete the app, block the site, end the flirtation, change the route home. • Colossians 3:5: “Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature….” • Romans 8:13: “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” • Refuse half-measures; Jesus calls for amputation, not negotiation. Replace with Righteous Practices • Ephesians 4:22-24: put off the old, be renewed in mind, put on the new. • Fill the cleared space with Scripture (Psalm 119:11), worship, and acts of service. • Build new routines that make obedience easier than disobedience. Lean on Spirit-Empowered Discipline • 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I discipline my body and make it my slave….” • Galatians 5:24: those in Christ “have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” • Practice fasting, scheduled silence, early rising for prayer—tangible ways to train the will. Walk in Ongoing Confession and Accountability • James 5:16: confess to trusted believers; their prayers release God’s healing power. • 1 John 1:9: prompt confession keeps fellowship unbroken and conscience clear. • Meet regularly with an accountability partner who will confront and encourage. Flee and Pursue • 2 Timothy 2:22: “Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace….” • James 4:7: submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee. • Plan escape routes before temptation strikes—text a friend, leave the room, quote Scripture aloud. Keep Eternity in View • Hebrews 12:1-2: throw off sin and run with endurance, eyes fixed on Jesus. • Every sacrifice now is light compared to the joy of entering life, even if one-eyed, rather than facing “the fire of hell.” • Remembering the final destination fuels perseverance today. Summary Checklist 1. Spot the sin trigger. 2. Cut it off completely. 3. Fill the gap with godly habits. 4. Train the body and mind under the Spirit’s power. 5. Confess quickly; stay accountable. 6. Run from temptation; run toward virtue. 7. Fix your eyes on the eternal reward. Christ’s command is severe because His love is severe; He wants nothing less than our freedom and our life. |
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