Cutting Off The Urge to Sin

"Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire." 1

Divided by the Conqueror

My Lord, I am so weak at heart;
Divide me from my selfish sin!
Preserve me and set me apart,
From all that desecrates within.

For Your beauty and grace oppose,
The baseness of each selfish urge.
'Tis when my faith and love are froze,
That heaven's song becomes the dirge.

My Lord, conquer this selfish urge;
Consume it with Your loving flame:
For You purify as You purge --
Our hearts are never quite the same.

I clutch the cross whene'er I'm weak:
He divides and conquers my sin;
He holds my tongue before I speak,
And purifies my heart within.

(c) Paul Buis, 2000

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1. Matthew 18:7-9