[Manny Varela]

MATTHEW 18 – CUT IT OFF

“Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” (Matthew 18:8)

This controversial Bible verse by no means is instructing someone with a vice that relates to their hands or feet to cut it off. Instead, it is speaking figuratively; if something in your life is contaminating or destroying you, it is better to cut it out of your existence rather than accommodate it to your self-destruction.

With our technological age, the internet has sadly become the medium of so many destructive vices. There is a multi-facet of online social media platforms with our peers glued to media channels consuming every waking minute of people’s time.

There is soft porn easily accessible to our youths, destroying their innocence and ravaging their souls with false expectations and a thwarted understanding of what love is.  In many cases, these addictions break up families and destroy their personal lives.

CHALLENGE

Are you under the weight of an addiction that is destroying you? My friend, cut it out of your life. Take whatever it is and cut it out of your life. Sometimes in life, the answer is to end these controlling things, cold Turkey.

Ask God to give you the strength to cut it out of your heart and replace it with obedience, His love, and God’s eternal blessing.

[Carlos Martes]

I used to be under several addictions such as nicotine. It was the worst and i thought id never take full control until i had let God handle the situation. Overtime, id fall back and forth and eventually without hesitation, i quit full turkey. Sometimes it’s easy to get a little bit overwhelmed of quitting because of self doubt, but we have to understand that we are not alone in this process, as God is always with you to help you through anything. It was when i had stopped rather depending on myself to let Him be in control in which everything had worked out for the better. We all struggle with this, but focusing on Jesus more and more will allow you to veer away from these addictions with easy because HE is always working with you, never to be alone.

[Isabelle Tubbs]

I think this week’s devotional can speak to everyone because everyone has experienced some sort of struggle with sin and addiction, although it is probably with different issues. Even the apostle Paul described it as doing what you do not want to do, and not doing what you do want to do. I like that the devotional said to cut out the addiction completely instead of just adjusting to having the addiction. It can often feel easier to just keep the addiction and try to limit it ourselves. However, we are not that strong to control these things completely, and just keeping the addiction indefinitely can make its grip even stronger. I am so glad that God loves us enough to not want us to stay enslaved to the wrong things and that He is powerful to save us and set us free from these things. This can be in a moment or a long process, but walking with Him will lead to ultimate freedom and love.

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