Personal Sacrifices

29"If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

30"If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

Matthew 5:29-30

Every inch of our bodies are sinful, down to an eye and finger. Jesus acknowledges this and tells us that we may have to make our own sacrifices to prevent us from sinning. Our flesh will always cause us struggles but when it comes to the point where it overcomes the Spirit within us, that member must die to save the whole.

There's some basic things I died to: cursing, drunkedness, lusting, worldly music, etc. But what about the next level?those things are easy but what about the things that requires me to sacrifice some good things for the sake of the whole?

I need to look in reverse. What sins am I struggling with today? Is it envy? Jealousy? Bitterness? Then I need to find the root cause and squash it. This could be an external temptation like hanging out with a specific group of people or place; instead of trying to resist the sin I may have to cut out the temptation entirely. I had to do this with my drinking/clubbing. I know what my struggles are today and I need to find out what to sacrifice.

Father God, thank You for the ability to choose. When used properly it's a beautiful offering of love but it's also difficult. I pray I'm strong, by Your Spirit, to offer personal sacrifices daily. Amen!