By Grace Through Faith

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. – Matthew 5:29-30

As we notice temptation entering our hearts and minds, we need to recognize how damaging it can be when those sins start taking root in our lives. Sin is temporarily satisfying to us. However, much like an addiction, the more we indulge in sin, the more it will start to consume us from the inside out. And the more we will crave it on a regular basis.

Recently, I started becoming more aware of certain areas that I was allowing temptation to enter my mind easily. Whether it be the use of foul language run through my speech or comparison turning into discontentment, it is better to acknowledge those exposures and cut them off, instead of continuing to expose ourselves to these outlets and giving sin the chance to take root in us.

What is promising and encouraging about the gospel is that we see Jesus turn to those who are sinful, poor, needy, and rejected by others. We see Jesus befriend them, transform them, and heal them to become better than how they were before. Many of His disciples grew in their faith and maturity over the years they spent with Jesus. They became more loving and humbler to love others and act as Jesus did. This can be the same for us.

As we abide in Christ and continue to pursue a relationship with Him, the Holy Spirit can guide us to discern what sins or temptations we need to cut off.

This week, try to examine where you may need to uproot old habits in your lives. It’s challenging to cut out a habit all together so instead, try replacing it with a better one. Start watering new planted seeds in your lives, where the old weeds were growing.

Maybe less time with tv shows and more time listening to sermons or podcasts that encourage us in our Christian walk. Less time scrolling on our phone comparing to others and more time being present and acknowledging gratitude in our own lives.

Start with one or two new things you’re going to begin sowing and watering in your life this week. It’s a slow and steady journey, but over time, I pray that you begin to see new growth and new fruit in your life.

With love,

Claire