Cut It Off: Jesus’ Radical Teaching on Sin | Mark 9:42-50

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Joel Walls from Maben, MS. Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23. Your commitment is making disciples who are rooted in truth. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 9:42-50:

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” — Mark 9:42-50

Jesus doesn’t play soft when it comes to sin.

In this text, he uses graphic language—cut it off, tear it out—to drive home a very real spiritual point: sin is serious, and tolerating it is dangerous. Not just for you but for those around you. Jesus opens with a sobering warning: if your actions lead another believer astray—especially the spiritually vulnerable—it’s better for you to be tossed into the sea than to face the judgment coming.

Then, he shifts from how we affect others to how we deal with sin in ourselves. His command? If your hand, foot, or eye causes you to sin—cut it off. Tear it out. Deal with it drastically.

Why? Because sin always over-promises and under-delivers. It offers comfort, control, or pleasure—but it ends in bondage. And Jesus loves us enough to say that freedom is worth the fight. Even if it costs you something. Even if it’s painful.

So, what do you need to cut off? A relationship? A habit? A secret? If something is leading you to sin—don’t manage it. Don’t excuse it. Don’t rename it.

Cut. It. Off.

Jesus isn’t trying to make your life harder—he’s trying to set you free. Holiness is always costly. But hell costs more. Let go of what’s holding you back from real life. Not tomorrow. Not when you’re ready. Now. Because freedom is worth the fight. And then, be salty, my friends.

#FreedomInChrist, #FightSin, #Mark9

ASK THIS:

What am I tolerating that Jesus calls me to cut off?
Have I downplayed a sin that’s damaging others?
Where have I justified what Jesus would challenge?
What would freedom look like if I let go of what’s holding me?
DO THIS:
Name the sin or weight that keeps returning—and take a bold step today to remove access to it.

PRAY THIS:
Jesus, show me what needs to go. I trust your way leads to freedom—give me the courage to cut off anything keeping me from you. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
“No Longer Slaves.”