Matthew 18:7-9

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Matthew 18:7-9
“Offenses,” as the NKJV translates, are ways in which one person causes another to sin. As we have noted, this can be done either by encouraging a person to sin or by discouraging a person from doing what is right. Some Christians misunderstand the idea of an offense. A person might proclaim, “You must stop doing that because it offends me!” But what does this statement mean? Does the person mean that another’s actions are causing him or her to sin? Such is rarely the case or else the complaint would not have been made. When the truth is known, it is discovered that the complainer simply wants his way and is misusing a scripture as leverage. We will not always like the methods of others, but we are not “offended” unless those actions have the potential to cause us to sin.Verses eight and nine give a warning to every disciple. We all have the tendency toward sin and we are susceptible to the influence of others. Jesus uses strong figures of speech in order to teach us to avoid such offenses. Jesus is not literally saying to cut off our hand or foot, or pluck out our eye. If we were to start cutting off body parts we would need to start with our head, since our thoughts are where sin originates. Instead, the idea is that there are many things in our lives that are as near and dear to us as a hand, foot, or eye. To do without these things can be very painful. But if they cause us to stumble, it is better to do without them and go to heaven than to keep them and go to hell.

Think of it this way. One of the most difficult transitions for new a Christian is to give up old friends who are involved in sinful activities. A new Christian is usually weak and has a strong tendency to slip back into old practices. Therefore, he has a choice to make. Either keep the friends and end up back in the old ways resulting in hell, or cut off the friends and go to heaven without them. It is obvious that it is better to enter heaven without the relationship of sinful friends than to keep those friends and go to eternal hell with them. This same choice may have to be made in numerous areas of a Christian’s life. We must remember, if we miss heaven, we just missed all there is.
Berry Kercheville