If Jesus doesn't want us to get hurt, why did he tell us to chop our hands off and poke our eyes out?

"Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having 2 hands or 2 feet to be cast into everlasting fire."
Matthew 18 : 8

When Jesus spoke about cutting off a hand or poking out an eye, he was purposely exaggerating to make his point. It's like saying: "I'd give anything to have an ice cream cone" - even though there are many things you'd never give away. You just want everyone to know how badly you want ice cream. Jesus wanted people to know how bad that we should get rid of anything that makes us sin.

Jesus doesn't want you to actually cut off anything-that won't get rid of sin in you life. But saying it that way shows how important it is to get rid of habits, friendships or attitudes that cause you to sin. We should stay away from people and places that tempt us to disobey God.

ACTIVITY
Keep a list for a day of the bad things you are tempted to do, plus those you actually do. What made it easier to sin? Did a certain friend talk sassy to adults and encourage you to do it, too? Don't spend so much time with that friend. Do the toy commercials on TV make you want things you shouldn't have? Don't watch these commercials. Ask God to help you stay from them.

Betsy Elliot