Matthew 18:7–9 (ESV)
Temptations to Sin
7 “Woe
to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better
for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
One need look no further than these words of Jesus to see how much the holy God hates sin. Here, the Law
strikes us with all its fury. Who of us can say that our hand or foot or eye has not caused us to sin? We all deserve to be thrown into the hell of fire. Thank God that Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced for our iniquities and that His eyes beheld our
sin in order to turn the Father’s face from it. By His wounds and precious death, we enter life.
I pray: Holy Father, I confess my sins of thought
and word and deed. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Amen.[1]