Jesus on avoiding sin: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "'''Jesus on Avoiding Sin''' See pdf version Jesus on Avoiding Sin.pdf = '''Jesus on Avoiding Sin''' = Jesus tells us very specifically how to avoid sin. == '''What’s in your heart?''' == In the “Sermon on the Mount” in Chs. 5 & 6 of the Book of Matthew, Jesus teaches that murder starts with anger (Mt 5:21), that adultery is from the heart (Mt 5:27), and that that our hearts reflect what it is we truly treasure (Mt 6:21): ''...") |
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See pdf version [[Media:Jesus on Avoiding Sin.pdf|Jesus on Avoiding Sin.pdf]] | See pdf version [[Media:Jesus on Avoiding Sin.pdf|Jesus on Avoiding Sin.pdf]] | ||
= | = Jesus on Avoiding Sin = | ||
Jesus tells us very specifically how to avoid sin. | Jesus tells us very specifically how to avoid sin. | ||
== | == What’s in your heart? == | ||
In the “Sermon on the Mount” in Chs. 5 & 6 of the Book of Matthew, Jesus teaches that murder starts with anger (Mt 5:21), that adultery is from the heart (Mt 5:27), and that that our hearts reflect what it is we truly treasure (Mt 6:21): | In the “Sermon on the Mount” in Chs. 5 & 6 of the Book of Matthew, Jesus teaches that murder starts with anger (Mt 5:21), that adultery is from the heart (Mt 5:27), and that that our hearts reflect what it is we truly treasure (Mt 6:21): | ||
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''“For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy.”'' | ''“For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy.”'' | ||
The "occasion of sin" | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; width= | {| class="wikitable" style="float:right; width=35%; margin-left:20px;" | ||
| colspan="2" |'''Interpreting through the "Senses of Scripture"''' | | colspan="2" |'''Interpreting through the "Senses of Scripture"''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Literal (textual) | |Literal (textual) | ||
|gouge your eye, cut off your hand | |gouge your eye, | ||
cut off your hand | |||
|- | |- | ||
|Allegorical (metaphorical) | |Allegorical (metaphorical) | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|Anagogical (where does it lead us?) | |Anagogical (where does it lead us?) | ||
|by avoiding sin, we will avoid "Gehenna" (hell) | |by avoiding sin, | ||
we will avoid "Gehenna" (hell) | |||
|} | |} | ||
The "occasion of sin" is the opportunity, place, or inducement of the moment of sin. By avoiding the occasion, we can avoid the sin. In the “[[Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes & Woes|Sermon on the Mount]]”, Jesus advises that we avoid sin by distancing ourselves from it. In what in the literal sense seems harsh, in Mt 5:29-30 he says, | The "occasion of sin" is the opportunity, place, or inducement of the moment of sin. By avoiding the occasion, we can avoid the sin. In the “[[Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes & Woes|Sermon on the Mount]]”, Jesus advises that we avoid sin by distancing ourselves from it. In what in the literal sense seems harsh, in Mt 5:29-30 he says, | ||
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Here Jesus tells us powerfully how to avoid sin: ''avoid its occasion''. | Here Jesus tells us powerfully how to avoid sin: ''avoid its occasion''. | ||
== | == Look in the mirror == | ||
Jesus teaches us to worry about “the plank” in our own eyes before pointing to one in someone else’s eyes. Indeed, we do readily see the faults of others. But instead of pointing to them, we should point the finger back at ourselves. From Mt 5:7: | Jesus teaches us to worry about “the plank” in our own eyes before pointing to one in someone else’s eyes. Indeed, we do readily see the faults of others. But instead of pointing to them, we should point the finger back at ourselves. From Mt 5:7: | ||
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“''Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her''” | “''Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her''” | ||
== | == Prayer == | ||
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tells the sleeping Peter, John and James, Mk 14:38: | In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tells the sleeping Peter, John and James, Mk 14:38: | ||
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''“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”'' | ''“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”'' | ||
== | == Turn to Scripture == | ||
When Satan tempted him, Jesus answered every temptation with Scripture: | When Satan tempted him, Jesus answered every temptation with Scripture: | ||
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''“Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’" (Mt 4:10)'' | ''“Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’" (Mt 4:10)'' | ||
== | == Repentance and Humility == | ||
In the “Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector” (Lk 18:11-14), Jesus teaches us to pray in humility: | In the “Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector” (Lk 18:11-14), Jesus teaches us to pray in humility: | ||
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''Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner'' | ''Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner'' | ||
== | == The Holy Spirit == | ||
In the Last Supper Discourses, Jesus promised the Apostles that he would send a "helper" or "advocate" – the Holy Spirit -- (Jn 14:15-17) who will support us when we are in a state of Grace (outside of sin): | In the Last Supper Discourses, Jesus promised the Apostles that he would send a "helper" or "advocate" – the Holy Spirit -- (Jn 14:15-17) who will support us when we are in a state of Grace (outside of sin): | ||
''“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you."'' | ''“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in you."'' | ||