What Jesus Did! 'Radical Prevention!' — Matthew 18:8-9

Friday, August 22, 2025

[Jesus continued,] "So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell."
— Matthew 18:8-9 NLT

Key Thought

In a time with few, if any, social services or protection for those who were maimed, handicapped, or disabled, to lose a limb or an eye could mean being sentenced to a life of begging, poverty, shame, and ridicule. Even now, none of us would like to lose one of our senses or one of our limbs. Jesus uses these shocking statements to awaken his disciples, and to rattle us, out of our lethargy. Sin is not to be taken lightly. Sin leads to judgment and the eternal fire. As bad as it would be to lose a body part, it would be much worse to lose our souls in eternal punishment.

Jesus' words are sharp, radical, and important. There is at least one thing more important than health and mobility - our salvation. So let's not let anything, or any temptation, or any sin distract our hearts from the character of Jesus!

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I do not want to let anything separate my heart, my allegiance, and my behavior from the character you desire. I thank you for the grace of Jesus that has made me righteous, and I commit myself to reflecting that righteousness in my daily life. I ask for the strength and guidance of your Spirit to help me fulfill this commitment. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Matthew 18:8
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"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 maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two..."
Sticking with God's Ideal
Article by Paul Faulkner
Why do we not fight harder to stick with God's ideal? Paul reminds us of God's plan for marriage, without divorce; so let's fight to keep it.
I Need More Than Me!
Article by Phil Ware
We were not made to do this discipleship thing alone. Phil Ware continues his series on experiencing God through Jesus, Immanuel, this time focusing upon our need for spiritual community, family, fellowship.
Radical Community
Article by Phil Ware
Does community like this actually exist? Phil Ware looks at Matthew 18 and radical community in our churches.
See All 5 Related Resources about Matthew 18:8-9

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 18:8-9 NLT — "So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, August 22, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by G. K. Chesterton:
"Whatever else may be said of man, this one thing is clear: He is not what he is capable of being."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Paul's Boldness, Agrippa's Refusal'
"But Paul replied [to Festus' charge that he had lost his mind because he believed in the resurrection of Jesus], "I am not insane, Most Excellent..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.But small is the gate and narrow...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Strengthened with Power' (Co. 1:11-14)
"Dear Father, in whom there is no darkness at all, Strengthen me with all power, according to your great might, so that I can both endure and be..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!