Jesus gives an interesting instruction in Matthew 5:29-30: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” The word “hell” comes from the Greek Gehenna, which signifies that this is a serious matter. In fact, a matter of salvation. What did Christ really mean? Are we to literally cut off a piece of our body every time we sin? If that be the case, some may not have too many parts left!
We find a seemingly contradictory teaching in Leviticus 19:28 and 21:15, which shows that we are not to cut, mar, or tattoo our bodies. In fact, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 goes so far as to say that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are commanded to maintain it and take care of ourselves, e.g., we should not partake in the habit of smoking. Is Christ contradicting himself? What did Jesus Christ really mean in cutting off body parts?
Christianity is a way of life—a way that is to forsake sin (1 John 3:4). Our intent must be to change. Yet, we will inevitably fall short. In answering this question of cutting off body parts we will see a strategy emerge—a strategy for minimizing our struggle with sin. So, we read in Matthew that if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and if your hand causes you to sin, then cut it off (ouch)! Do we see the connection: cause and effect? If the eye is the cause with the effect of sin, then get rid of it! Christ is teaching to get rid of the things causing or tempting us to sin. In other words, pluck, cut, walk away from, and remove yourself from those things causing you to sin. A possible example could be of an induvial who has a drinking problem. When that person goes to the grocery store, he should avoid (pluck, cut, walk away from) going past the liquor aisle—just say away from it altogether! Completely avoid!
Notice the parallel that the Apostle Paul makes in Colossians 3:5-10. He uses an ostensibly morbid term, “put to death your members.” Paul draws an analogy by using members of our body to represent sin. Like his teaching of “bury the old man,” meaning get rid of your old ways. And then put on the new man! Why does Paul use this analogy?
Notice the sins that Paul mentions. Do any of these sins seem out of the ordinary, old fashion, or out of date? We need not look very far to realize these same sins are still quite prevalent in our world today. In fact, they consume our societies! These are all sins that are common to human beings. They are so prevalent, that it seems as though they are physically a part of us. As though, they make up our very character. Paul shows that these sins are like the very members of our body. He teaches—put them to death! As Christians, we may slip up, but we cannot tolerate sin as a normal part of our lives! Therefore, regarding sins, Paul taught to put them to death and Christ taught to cut them off and pluck them out. Doesn’t that sound painful? Indeed! And that is because removing sin from our lives is, quite often, a painful and difficult experience. Emotionally and physically—it’s not easy to remove sin, but our salvation depends on it.
Notice Galatians 5:19-21, which describes the works of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Sin originates from the mind (James 1:14-15). We think and therefore we do. The mind is the Christian war! We need Jesus Christ living in us through the power of the Holy Spirit! With God all things are possible! Sin is very much a part of human life. Yet, as Christians, we must make it our lifestyle to forsake sin. Jesus Christ said if your eye sins pluck it out and if your hand sins cut it off. He shows cause and effect—remove the cause and eliminate the effect. He taught us a proven strategy—a strategy to minimize our struggle with sin.
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