The Lust of the Flesh

Matthew 5:29-30; If your right eye causes you to stumble, take it out and throw it away for it is better for one to lose a part of the body than to have the whole body thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away for it is better for one lose a part of the body than to have the whole body thrown into hell.

These particular words of Christ on the mount during his sermon is well known by most Christians not all, and it is for the fact that Christ figurative speech in a more literal way which appeal to our senses. Literally one may pluck out the eyes just to avoid the lust of the eyes that may lead them into temptation and in the same vain one may cut of the hand just to avoid stealing as its practiced in some cultures however taking the word of Christ literal like that would be an exaggeration on our part as we would end up losing almost all our bodies parts whenever we feel like one is leading us into temptation.

What Christ wanted us to do basically is to work on our shortcomings, the things we know that lead us into temptation and eventually sin, if our tongue is always leading us to say things that are unholy and does not suit as as Christians then we ought to work on our language, we have to mindful of what we say and pray more for the holy spirit to direct us in our choice of words, in the same way if seeing a beautiful woman causes you to lust after her, then we have to make the effort to avoid the second look and consciously control our thoughts, it will not be easy, neither will it get easier however as we keep practicing we get better at it and eventually it will become part and parcel of us.

Let us endeavor to work on our shortcomings as Christians that we may be able to serve God right and have a place in heaven in the end days.