If Your Eye Offends You Pluck It Out? What Gives?

[Mat 5:29 KJV] 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

What does Jesus mean when he makes such a radical statement? In fact, He is using hyperbole, or deliberate exaggeration, to make a powerful point about the seriousness of sin and the importance of taking radical steps to avoid it.

Here’s a breakdown of the meaning:

 “If thy right eye offend thee…” – The “eye” here represents anything that causes you to sin, leading you away from God. This could be a bad habit, an unhealthy relationship, or anything that tempts you to do wrong.
 “…pluck it out, and cast it from thee…” – Jesus is saying that you should be willing to completely remove anything from your life that causes you to sin, no matter how difficult or painful it may be. This doesn’t mean literally removing body parts, but rather making a decisive break from anything that leads you astray.
 “…it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” – This emphasizes the severity of sin and its consequences. It’s better to sacrifice something precious in this life than to face eternal separation from God.

In essence, Jesus is teaching us to:

 Be ruthless in dealing with sin: Don’t compromise or make excuses. Take decisive action to remove anything that hinders your relationship with God.
 Prioritize spiritual well-being: Your eternal soul is more important than any temporary pleasure or comfort.
 Understand the gravity of sin: Sin has serious consequences, and it’s crucial to take it seriously.

This passage is a call to radical discipleship, urging us to live a life of purity and obedience to God, even if it requires difficult sacrifices.