Warning Against Temptations

Sunday, March 8th, 2026

9:07 am

Good morning! Today I am in Matthew 18:6-10 and Mark 9:42-50. Jesus tells His disciples that if any of them causes one of His little children to sin, it would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck. He tells them, "What sorrow awaits the world because it tempts people to sin." He tells us that temptations are inevitable, but sorrow awaits the ones who do the tempting. He adds that if one of our hands or feet cause us to sin, to cut it off. Or if one of our eyes cause us to sin, to gouge it out, for it would be better for us to enter heaven missing a hand, foot, or eye, than to be thrown into hell where the fire never stops or maggots never die. Then He warns them never to look down on any of the little ones. Because in heaven, their angels are always in the presence of His heavenly Father. Mark adds that Jesus tells them that everyone will be tested by fire. And that they must have the qualities of salt among themselves and live in peace with each other.

Jesus uses some harsh language, but His language helps us see the gravity of falling into temptation. We should do what we can to guard ourselves against sin. Sometimes that means staying away from certain people, maybe even certain jobs. Sometimes it is stopping a really bad habit. God wants us to recognize what is causing us to stumble, and take steps to stay away from those things. Our sins don't just affect us, but they affect the people that are around us, whether at home, work, or just at the store. And our sins can be a stumbling block for someone else, causing someone else to fall into the same temptations we are dealing with. Which, Jesus tells us in these verses, that sorrow awaits those who cause others to sin. When we are able to stay away from the sin we were once trapped in, we will be able to help other people . Being like salt to the world around us. When we are stuck in sin, God can't use us as well. Just as salt without flavor is useless. The world needs us to be salt on this earth. Showing people how much God loves them. But we must ask Him to help us see what tempts us, and ask Him to show us what we need to do to not fall back into it. He will help you with that, if you ask Him to. Allow Him to guide you today.