So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, 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 hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, 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 be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:29-30

 

What price would you pay to live?

Few people have had to pay as high a price to live as Aron Ralston, a climber and canyoneer who became trapped by a boulder in a remote slot canyon in 2003. Ralston’s right forearm was pinned against the canyon wall by the boulder, and after several days of being stuck, he amputated his own arm with a dull knife to free himself.[1] He was a man that wanted to live so desperately, he was willing to lose an arm if it meant keeping his life.

Living a healthy life spiritually requires us to cut some things out of our lives. Jesus spoke to his followers about lust, saying, “So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, 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 hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29-30a).

While this isn’t a literal instruction, the point is clear. Lust is a selfish, sinful issue that separates us from right relationship with God. We’re responsible for the burden of our lustful desires and we can’t shift the burden onto others or demand that they change to accommodate our weaknesses.

We all have areas of weakness. Call on God today for help and act now to remove yourself from situations that may lead to failure. We can reject temptations as we shout yes to God’s calling for our lives.

[1] Ralston, Aron, and Aron Ralston. 127 Hours between a Rock and a Hard Place. Simon & Schuster, 2010.