Matt 18:9 Was Jesus being literal with this statement?
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שלום עליכם
Shalom, God's peace be with you.
I'm sure it's a metaphor, because we can still sin with one eye or leg, if the passion is working in our heart. Even if we castrate ourselves, the passion will bring us to fall in another way. So in our tradition we have an interpretation that Jesus here is talking about breaking relationship with our close friends, if they seduce us to sin.
We also are called to wisely mortify our sinful passions that cause us to sin. We do this by means of moderate asceticism.
God be with you. Praise Jesus.
Shalom, God's peace be with you.
I'm sure it's a metaphor, because we can still sin with one eye or leg, if the passion is working in our heart. Even if we castrate ourselves, the passion will bring us to fall in another way. So in our tradition we have an interpretation that Jesus here is talking about breaking relationship with our close friends, if they seduce us to sin.
We also are called to wisely mortify our sinful passions that cause us to sin. We do this by means of moderate asceticism.
God be with you. Praise Jesus.
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It can be without Spiritual understanding ------this is all about God's Judgment --Jesus is using a hyperbole communication here to show how serious it is for believers not to be tempted into sin -----the wages of sin is eternal death and believers are not to have a casual attitude about sin -----
So Jesus is saying if your one eye causes you to be tempted into sinning then you would be better off taking out the eye that caused you to sin and go to heaven with one sinless eye then to keep sinning like the unbeliever does and be thrown into the fire of hell -----
Remember ---we are in the Old Testament and Jesus is just teaching His disciples about how they are to rightly act and how dangerous sin is to their having eternal life --
He definitely wasn't being literal, because the Bible, which he inspired, says that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16,17). Since we must take care of our bodies, what could he have meant? I think that he is showing very dramatically and clearly the problem of sinful conduct and that it must never be minimized.
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I agree there was another situation when he taught them to eat his flesh and drink his blood some took him literally and departed because they took it as he was teaching then to literally eat his flesh and drink his blood So they thought we’ll this is too hard a teaching we can’t accept it and parted Jesus answers like this
“He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
…Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
John 6:56, 60-61, 63, 66
I agree with what you said we need to look for the spirit and lessons he’s teaching us in his word
“He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
…Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
John 6:56, 60-61, 63, 66
I agree with what you said we need to look for the spirit and lessons he’s teaching us in his word
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I believe its talking about person or thing that causes Christian to sin.
Can use myself as quick example. I moved in with narcissist in 2015, and moved out in 2018.
Dude, what you getting at ???
How Satan uses people to set traps. When it comes to false brethren or reprobates, its a concealed trap. A person deprived of holy Spirit won't see the pit falls.
Satan wants to take members of body of Christ captive. As Christians, we must learn the or recognize the potential traps. We do this by studying Bible.
Satan will use false brethren to bait traps, try to destroy credibility of Christian people.
Exodus chapter 34:12
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goes, lest it be a snare in the midst of thee.
Heathen/ false brethren serve Satan. The enemies Tactics are to trap, and destroy Christian people. Bad influence has destructive consequences on Christianity. Bad company. Stay away from Reprobates.
Black to my former situation. The narcissist masks false humility, and pride. He tried to get me to follow empty religion. Trying to drag me down to hide level. When he couldn't, he resorts to psychological abuse and emotional abuse. The enemies are employing persecution and tactics. He also thought he had me cornered. This is how Satan works. He uses those who have unclesn Spirit.
Psalm chapter 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me, and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deciets all day long.
The wicked will slander you, and lie about you. They disguise the lies and made them harder to recognize, and easier to accept. Satan uses wicked to hurt people. Its traps that Satan uses.
Look, Satan wants to get to you, he will use anyone that he can to do this. It could be Minister or friend or family members.
Psalm chapter 119:110
The wicked have laid snare for me yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Try to distract from truth of Gods word. Basically, Satan is impeding on your spiritual growth. It coukd be girl friend or movies or YMCA. Its distractions.
Don't take the bait. Stay focused on Jesus.
Beware of the enemies Tactics.
Peace.
Can use myself as quick example. I moved in with narcissist in 2015, and moved out in 2018.
Dude, what you getting at ???
How Satan uses people to set traps. When it comes to false brethren or reprobates, its a concealed trap. A person deprived of holy Spirit won't see the pit falls.
Satan wants to take members of body of Christ captive. As Christians, we must learn the or recognize the potential traps. We do this by studying Bible.
Satan will use false brethren to bait traps, try to destroy credibility of Christian people.
Exodus chapter 34:12
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goes, lest it be a snare in the midst of thee.
Heathen/ false brethren serve Satan. The enemies Tactics are to trap, and destroy Christian people. Bad influence has destructive consequences on Christianity. Bad company. Stay away from Reprobates.
Black to my former situation. The narcissist masks false humility, and pride. He tried to get me to follow empty religion. Trying to drag me down to hide level. When he couldn't, he resorts to psychological abuse and emotional abuse. The enemies are employing persecution and tactics. He also thought he had me cornered. This is how Satan works. He uses those who have unclesn Spirit.
Psalm chapter 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me, and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deciets all day long.
The wicked will slander you, and lie about you. They disguise the lies and made them harder to recognize, and easier to accept. Satan uses wicked to hurt people. Its traps that Satan uses.
Look, Satan wants to get to you, he will use anyone that he can to do this. It could be Minister or friend or family members.
Psalm chapter 119:110
The wicked have laid snare for me yet I erred not from thy precepts.
Try to distract from truth of Gods word. Basically, Satan is impeding on your spiritual growth. It coukd be girl friend or movies or YMCA. Its distractions.
Don't take the bait. Stay focused on Jesus.
Beware of the enemies Tactics.
Peace.
Abraham circumcised himself. Why do you think a person cannot circumcise his own heart?
Jeremiah 4:4 KJV — Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
Jeremiah 4:4 KJV — Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
because i was circumcised in heart not by my own hands, but by God's. it was His work, not mine.
Abraham's hands could only affect his flesh.
Abraham's hands could only affect his flesh.
Colossians 2:11-12
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with [Him] through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
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PaulThomson said:
Abraham circumcised himself. Why do you think a person cannot circumcise his own heart?
Jeremiah 4:4 KJV — Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
Your text does not say God circumcised your heart. God tells the Israelites to circumcise their own hearts. You seem at odds with God here.
Abraham circumcised himself. Why do you think a person cannot circumcise his own heart?
Jeremiah 4:4 KJV — Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
Your text does not say God circumcised your heart. God tells the Israelites to circumcise their own hearts. You seem at odds with God here.
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.
I've known folks who've done time in penal systems but I've yet to meet
someone who's done time in the netherworld. However, I kind of suspect
that given the option; they'd rather have their spine severed with an axe
and be sawn from head to pelvis while alive than go back to that place.
I sometimes wish there were tour busses to Hell so folks could get a
firsthand look for themselves at conditions down there. They go year, after
year, after year, after year, with no relief from the pain and discomfort: no
vacations, no recreation, no reading materials, and no hobbies-- there's
absolutely nothing to do to help pass the time. The mental atrophy, and
the boredom that must result from that kind of mindless existence is
beyond estimation.
In life, everybody enjoys God's blessings; even the really bad people. We're
all breathing fresh air, basking in sunshine, drinking cool water, savoring
tasty foods, listening to birds chirp, star gazing at night, throwing snow balls
at each other in winter, river rafting, fishing, snow skiing, tending gardens,
pruning shrubs, greeting friends during the holidays, spending days with
grandkids; and all that sort of thing. In the Bible's Hell, there are no
blessings of any kind at all: only perpetual sadness, vexation, despair, and
want.
Hell has to be really tough on genteel folk as they are now in the company of
some of the world's worst human beings, e.g. career criminals, war lords,
cheap politicians, corrupt cops, serial killers, scam artists, human traffickers,
meth heads, tax cheats, degenerate gamblers, despots, assassins, and
thugs, etc.
And the din: think of the volume of noise down there with all the wailing and
sobbing, and the screams, shrieks, yelps, howls, and gnashing teeth.
Conditions are really bad, and everyone is sad, blue, and lonely. After a few
years of the conditions I'm describing, I should think most folks break, and
go mad from the stress.
But just imagine bringing with you a craving for tobacco with none available.
Or longing for a cocktail with no liquor in sight. A desire for music, with no
way to produce it. A skill for writing, with no pen and paper. Yearning for a
walk out in nature, with no world to do it in.
People in Hell will never again smell a sea breeze, sit in the shade of a tree,
take deep breaths of mountain-fresh air, play at sports, hear a bird chirp,
see a sunset, watch a lunar eclipse, jog in the park, strum a guitar, enjoy a
Christmas dinner with loved ones; nor make little pigs of themselves
gobbling barbecued spare ribs and corn on the 4th of July.
Sports and recreation are gone: no more World Series, no more Super Bowl,
no more Olympics, no more Las Vegas, no more Indian casinos, no more
lottery, no more Lego World, no more Sea World, no more NASCAR, no more
golf, no more surfing, et al.
No baths, no showers, no sleep, no TV, no radio, no smart phones, no social
media, no internet, no clean sheets, no breakfast, no lunch, and no dinner.
No snacks, no gum, no candy, no beverages, no flowers, no parks, no rivers,
no snow, no seasons, no picnics, no malls, no fast food, no trades, no
careers, no trendy fashions, no jewelry, no cosmetics, no concerts, no
operas, and no hobbies; absolutely nothing of this world that brings people
the pleasures and the satisfactions of just being alive.
No pets are allowed in Hell and no flowers or vegetation of any kind. The
absence of birds, fish, and animals of course precludes the citizens of Hell
ever again spending a day at the zoo. The one advantage of the lack of pets
and vegetation in Hell is the absence of fleas, mosquitoes, and allergies. I
suppose you could say that's at least one good thing about it. There's a
bright side to everything I guess; even to that place.
_
I've known folks who've done time in penal systems but I've yet to meet
someone who's done time in the netherworld. However, I kind of suspect
that given the option; they'd rather have their spine severed with an axe
and be sawn from head to pelvis while alive than go back to that place.
I sometimes wish there were tour busses to Hell so folks could get a
firsthand look for themselves at conditions down there. They go year, after
year, after year, after year, with no relief from the pain and discomfort: no
vacations, no recreation, no reading materials, and no hobbies-- there's
absolutely nothing to do to help pass the time. The mental atrophy, and
the boredom that must result from that kind of mindless existence is
beyond estimation.
In life, everybody enjoys God's blessings; even the really bad people. We're
all breathing fresh air, basking in sunshine, drinking cool water, savoring
tasty foods, listening to birds chirp, star gazing at night, throwing snow balls
at each other in winter, river rafting, fishing, snow skiing, tending gardens,
pruning shrubs, greeting friends during the holidays, spending days with
grandkids; and all that sort of thing. In the Bible's Hell, there are no
blessings of any kind at all: only perpetual sadness, vexation, despair, and
want.
Hell has to be really tough on genteel folk as they are now in the company of
some of the world's worst human beings, e.g. career criminals, war lords,
cheap politicians, corrupt cops, serial killers, scam artists, human traffickers,
meth heads, tax cheats, degenerate gamblers, despots, assassins, and
thugs, etc.
And the din: think of the volume of noise down there with all the wailing and
sobbing, and the screams, shrieks, yelps, howls, and gnashing teeth.
Conditions are really bad, and everyone is sad, blue, and lonely. After a few
years of the conditions I'm describing, I should think most folks break, and
go mad from the stress.
But just imagine bringing with you a craving for tobacco with none available.
Or longing for a cocktail with no liquor in sight. A desire for music, with no
way to produce it. A skill for writing, with no pen and paper. Yearning for a
walk out in nature, with no world to do it in.
People in Hell will never again smell a sea breeze, sit in the shade of a tree,
take deep breaths of mountain-fresh air, play at sports, hear a bird chirp,
see a sunset, watch a lunar eclipse, jog in the park, strum a guitar, enjoy a
Christmas dinner with loved ones; nor make little pigs of themselves
gobbling barbecued spare ribs and corn on the 4th of July.
Sports and recreation are gone: no more World Series, no more Super Bowl,
no more Olympics, no more Las Vegas, no more Indian casinos, no more
lottery, no more Lego World, no more Sea World, no more NASCAR, no more
golf, no more surfing, et al.
No baths, no showers, no sleep, no TV, no radio, no smart phones, no social
media, no internet, no clean sheets, no breakfast, no lunch, and no dinner.
No snacks, no gum, no candy, no beverages, no flowers, no parks, no rivers,
no snow, no seasons, no picnics, no malls, no fast food, no trades, no
careers, no trendy fashions, no jewelry, no cosmetics, no concerts, no
operas, and no hobbies; absolutely nothing of this world that brings people
the pleasures and the satisfactions of just being alive.
No pets are allowed in Hell and no flowers or vegetation of any kind. The
absence of birds, fish, and animals of course precludes the citizens of Hell
ever again spending a day at the zoo. The one advantage of the lack of pets
and vegetation in Hell is the absence of fleas, mosquitoes, and allergies. I
suppose you could say that's at least one good thing about it. There's a
bright side to everything I guess; even to that place.
_
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