My Walk With Him: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Matthew 5:27-30

Day 80 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Samson, whose love for an ungodly woman shows how flirting with sin can hurt us. It is nonetheless amazing that of course God redeems Samson's sin to use him to destroy many of the Philistines. Although Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord (Judges 13:1), He raised up Samson to lead and intercede on their behalf. Far from a perfect leader, God used Samson to lure the Philistines into a trap (Judges 14:4).

DesiringGod.com's post here warns us about flirting with sin and directs us to Matthew 5:27-30, where Jesus warns us about sin, emphasizing how sin includes matters of the heart, and Jesus directs us on how we should be prepared to take what some may see as drastic actions to address sources of temptation.

These are tough words indeed, but God hates sin and it separates us from Him - we must find ways to address it in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love me and use my sin. Thank You for Your grace and compassion and how You redeem my sin for Your glory and purpose. I am humbled and of course undeserving. Please forgive me as my sin continues - I am too easily distracted by the world. Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.