DON'T TRY—DO IT. MAKE WAR AGAINST SIN!

June 3, 2010

DON'T TRY—DO IT. MAKE WAR AGAINST SIN!

Mark 9:42-50

Ryan Nixon

Central Truth

God is serious about our fight against the sin in our lives, and He commands us to be serious about it as well. We are not called just to try not to sin, but to fight, battle, and make war against it!

"If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell." (Mark 9:47)

Temptations to Sin

42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,^{1

9:42
Greek to stumble; also verses 43, 45, 47} it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell,^{2

9:43
Greek Gehenna; also verse 47} to the unquenchable fire.^{3

9:43
Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48)} 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire.^{4

9:49
Some manuscripts add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt} 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Footnotes

[1] 9:42 Greek to stumble; also verses 43, 45, 47
[2] 9:43 Greek Gehenna; also verse 47
[3] 9:43 Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48)
[4] 9:49 Some manuscripts add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt

This passage is such an encouragement and challenge to me every time I read it. I'm encouraged by Jesus' heart and challenged by His call on my life.

I'm encouraged by how passionate Christ is for me to find the fullness of life in Himself. He's serious about sin in our lives because it steals glory from Himself, which He deserves. It also steals from the fullness of life that He came to give us. We are commanded not to mess around or play with sin, but to fight it through the power of the Holy Spirit! This is because Jesus passionately desires for us to enjoy Him fully—not only some day in heaven, but every day on this earth as well.

I am also challenged and convicted by Jesus' command because I know that I don't always treat the things in my life that may cause me to stumble with this type of warlike attitude. The things Christ lists in this passage are all good things—very good things: a hand, a foot, an eye. All of these are beneficial, useful, and necessary for life. But the attitude that Christ wants us to have is that ANYTHING that causes us to stumble should be severed, cut off, or removed from our lives. We are not told just to try to stop messing up in an area, but to GET RID of it! That means the computer, a drink, a credit card, a TV, a friend, a job, or anything else that causes us to fall should be removed from our lives. Even if we view something in our lives as "necessary," we HAVE to be willing to get rid of it for the sake of Christ, our witness for Him, and our enjoyment of the life He desires.

So be encouraged that your Savior cares for you and loves you enough to command you to get rid of anything that takes life from you! And be challenged today to go out and make war on sin!

1. What are the things in your life that are not sins in themselves, but cause you to sin? (For example, the computer, TV, movies, credit cards, certain friends, work, etc.)

2. Are you willing to remove these things from your life for the sake of Christ? (Be honest, because some of these are things that may be beneficial also.)

3. Who are you going to share this struggle with to help keep you accountable to removing whatever is a stumbling block in your life?

4. This last question is somewhat answered by the three above, but who or what do you love more: _______ or your Savior?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you like to put salt on your food?

2. Verse 50 says, “Salt is good. . . .” What is salt good for? (Flavoring, preserving, and healing.)

3. How can you be “salt” for the Lord in your relationships?