Jon Hutt

On August 19, Jon Hutt was doing some logging work all alone in a remote area in Colorado when disaster struck—his 6-ton trailer fell onto his right foot. Since there was no one around to hear his cries for help, Hutt pulled out his pocket knife and cut off his toes in order to free himself. He then drove himself to get medical treatment.

This was certainly a drastic measure, but it was necessary in order for Hutt to free himself. He did whatever it took to save his own life.

Jesus says that we should do whatever is necessary to keep from getting trapped in a sinful lifestyle. He teaches, “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 crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.” (Matthew 18:8).

Jesus is not recommending self-mutilation! He is using exaggeration to make a point. We must be diligent in avoiding sin and temptation. We must ruthlessly prune from our lives anything that keeps us from being holy.

Is there some habit, relationship or thought pattern that you need to cut out of your life?