If he didn’t do it, he would probably die.
My pastor told a story about a man on a camping trip. While he walked, a big rock fell on his arm. He thought he could get the rock off without his friends' help, but soon discovered he couldn't. He yelled to them and called out to the Lord. Realizing he had no choice, he took out his pocketknife and, screaming at the top of his lungs, cut his arm off.
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. If Jesus meant this verse literally, I don't know how bound we would have to be by a sin to have to do what He says to our hand. Maybe we need to unplug the internet or get rid of the computer if we are addicted to something ungodly. Or, if we aren’t looking at something ungodly, turning them off can give us more time with God. Depending on how we use it, social media can be addictive. The news can also scare us to death because of all the negative and scary reports. These and other things can come between us and God.
So, if you know of things you need to lay down—even if it means getting rid of them—ask God for strength to do it.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Darrell Waters loves Jesus and wants to please Him in all he says, thinks, and does. He is legally blind and disabled but feels that devotional writing is his calling in life. Darrell sings in the choir and also specials on a singers' list in Sunday services as well as on Wednesday nights.