The Damning Look

“You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to 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 the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell!" (Matthew 5:27-30)

Hell. What an awful word. It puts knots in your stomach. It makes you flinch.

It is supposed to.

Jesus tells us that when we entertain lust, it is the first step onto a damning path. We're flirting with adultery. We're on a slippery slope with a really bad ending.

Jesus came to rescue us from that path. He came to show us a better way. We celebrate his divine rescue operation this week, often called "holy week." We praise Jesus for intervening in our lives that were heading toward destruction.

Knowing this, why would we flirt with sin, the sin that caused Christ's death? We shouldn't, and we don't have to. He daily gives us the power to say "no" to sin and "yes" to righteousness (Romans 6:12-14). Praise be to God! He is risen! Woohoo!

Starter Prayer

Jesus, You found me on a reckless path. You saved me from destruction. I'm thankful and so I daily offer You my eyes, my heart, and my life!

Amen