Killing Sin: Embracing Humility and God's Mercy

May 25, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Seriousness of Sin

Sin is not a trivial matter; it is deadly, contagious, and offensive to a holy God. Jesus warns that even the smallest sin can have devastating consequences, not only for ourselves but for those around us. He uses strong imagery to show that sin is not something to be managed or minimized, but something to be killed before it destroys us and others. The call is to see sin as Jesus sees it—serious enough to require radical action and deep repentance. [01:50]

Deuteronomy 32:35 (ESV)
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.

Reflection: What is one “small” sin in your life that you have been minimizing or excusing? How can you bring it into the light before God today and take the first step toward repentance?

Day 2: Humility and the Path to Greatness

True greatness in the kingdom of God is found not in pride or self-promotion, but in childlike humility—being lowly, dependent, and trusting. Jesus teaches that those who humble themselves like children are the greatest in his kingdom, and that humility is the foundation for receiving his grace and belonging to his people. This humility is not weakness, but the very posture that opens the door to God’s transforming power and community. [05:03]

Matthew 18:4 (ESV)
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to let go of pride or the desire to be seen as “great”? What would it look like to practice childlike humility in that area today?

Day 3: Loving and Valuing the Church as Jesus Does

Jesus identifies himself with his people so closely that to receive or reject his followers is to receive or reject him. The church is not just a club or a gathering, but the very body of Christ, and our commitment to one another reflects our commitment to Jesus himself. Loving, serving, and walking with fellow believers is essential, and church membership is a biblical expression of this deep, covenantal love. [07:40]

Matthew 25:40 (ESV)
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Reflection: How can you intentionally show love and care to a fellow church member this week, knowing that in doing so you are loving Jesus himself?

Day 4: The Contagious Nature of Sin and Our Influence on Others

Sin never stays contained; it spreads and infects those around us, especially those we influence. Jesus warns that causing others to stumble is a grave offense, and our words, attitudes, and actions can either draw people closer to Christ or lead them away. We are called to be vigilant, recognizing that our example matters and that we must break the cycle of sin for the sake of others as well as ourselves. [21:46]

Romans 14:13 (ESV)
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who may be negatively affected by your words, actions, or attitudes? What is one step you can take today to encourage them toward Christ instead?

Day 5: Radical Action: Killing Sin and Pursuing Christ

Jesus calls his followers to take radical, decisive action against sin—cutting off anything that leads us astray and filling our lives with the greater joy of knowing him. This is not a passive battle; it requires confession, accountability, and a willingness to make hard choices for the sake of holiness. The more we taste the bitterness of sin, the sweeter Christ becomes, and his grace empowers us to walk in freedom and help others do the same. [24:43]

Matthew 18:8-9 (ESV)
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 crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear 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.

Reflection: What is one practical, perhaps difficult, step you can take today to “cut off” a source of temptation in your life and replace it with a deeper pursuit of Jesus?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of spiritual apathy, true transformation comes not from minimizing sin, but from seeing it as Jesus does—deadly serious, contagious, and in need of radical action. Jesus calls his followers to a humility like that of a child, not because children are innocent, but because they are lowly, dependent, and humble. This humility is the gateway to greatness in God’s kingdom. Jesus identifies so closely with his people that to receive or harm one of his “little ones” is to receive or harm him. The way we treat fellow believers is a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ himself.

Sin is not a private matter; it spreads, infects, and damages the community of faith. Jesus warns that causing others to stumble is so grave that it would be better to face a horrifying death than to lead one of his people into sin. This warning is not just for outsiders, but for his own disciples—those closest to him. We are all prone to justify, minimize, or excuse our own sin, often more aware of the faults of others than our own. Yet, Jesus insists that our sin is so serious it required his own death to redeem us.

Because sin is so destructive, Jesus calls for radical measures: “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off… if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out.” This is not a call to literal self-mutilation, but to spiritual amputation—decisively removing anything that leads us into sin, no matter how costly or painful. We are to make war on sin, not peace with it. This means confessing, seeking accountability, and refusing to make excuses. It means dealing with sin early, before it takes root, and filling our hearts with the majesty and beauty of God so that sin loses its appeal.

Ultimately, the seriousness with which Jesus treats sin is matched only by the magnitude of his mercy. For those who humble themselves, repent, and trust in him, Jesus bears the full weight of God’s wrath, offering forgiveness and new life. The call is clear: kill sin before it kills you, and marvel at the mercy that makes such freedom possible.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility is the Pathway to Greatness in God’s Kingdom True greatness is found not in self-exaltation, but in becoming lowly and dependent like a child. Jesus values those who come to him in humility, and he identifies himself with them. Our posture before God and others should be marked by repentance, dependence, and a willingness to serve rather than be served. [04:20]
2. The Way We Treat God’s People Reflects Our Relationship with Christ Jesus so closely identifies with his followers that to receive or harm one of his “little ones” is to receive or harm him. Church membership and commitment are not optional add-ons, but essential expressions of our love for Christ. Our engagement with the church is a direct reflection of our engagement with Jesus himself. [07:17]
3. Sin is Contagious and Never Stays Private Sin always spreads—through our words, attitudes, and examples—infecting those around us, especially those we influence. Even “small” sins can erode the spiritual health of a community, leading others away from Christ. We must recognize that our personal holiness is not just about us, but about the spiritual well-being of the whole body. [21:05]
4. Radical Action is Required to Kill Sin Jesus calls for spiritual amputation—decisively removing anything that leads us into sin, no matter how costly. This means confessing, seeking accountability, and refusing to make excuses. We must deal with sin early, avoid what leads us into temptation, and fill our hearts with the beauty of God so that sin loses its grip. [25:29]
5. Marvel at the Magnitude of Mercy, Not the Size of Sin The seriousness of sin is only surpassed by the greatness of God’s mercy. Jesus bore the full weight of our sin so that we could be free. Rather than minimizing sin, we should be awestruck by the mercy that covers it, letting the sweetness of Christ’s grace draw us away from the bitterness of sin. [37:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Jonathan Edwards and the Weight of Sin
[01:50] - Seeing Sin as Jesus Sees It
[02:23] - Jesus’ Warning About Causing Others to Stumble
[03:28] - Childlike Humility and Kingdom Greatness
[05:42] - Jesus Identifies with His People
[07:17] - The Importance of Church and Loving God’s People
[09:40] - The Seriousness of Sin Against Others
[12:10] - The Millstone Warning and God’s Judgment
[14:41] - The Danger of Justifying Our Own Sin
[19:06] - The Contagious Nature of Sin
[21:05] - How Our Sin Influences Others
[23:36] - Jesus’ Call to Kill Sin
[25:29] - Practical Steps for Mortifying Sin
[30:24] - Meditating on God’s Majesty
[32:01] - The Gospel for Sinners and Saints
[33:45] - Helping One Another Fight Sin
[35:52] - Marveling at the Magnitude of Mercy
[37:14] - Closing Prayer and Confession

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading

- Matthew 18:5-9
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 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 crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear 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.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 18:5, what does it mean to “receive” a child in his name? How does he connect this to himself? ([05:42])
What warning does Jesus give about causing “one of these little ones” to sin? What imagery does he use to show how serious this is? ([10:29])
In verses 8-9, what kind of action does Jesus call for when something causes us to sin? What does he say is better than continuing in sin? ([24:09])
How does the sermon describe the way sin spreads and affects others in the church community? ([21:05])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus use such strong language (like cutting off a hand or tearing out an eye) when talking about dealing with sin? What is he trying to communicate about the seriousness of sin? ([24:25])
The sermon says that Jesus identifies so closely with his people that to receive or harm one of his “little ones” is to receive or harm him. What does this mean for how we view and treat other believers? ([05:42])
The passage and sermon both talk about humility as the pathway to greatness in God’s kingdom. Why is humility so important, and how is it different from how the world defines greatness? ([04:20])
The sermon mentions that sin is “contagious” and never stays private. How does this challenge the idea that “my sin is just my business”? ([21:05])

Application Questions

Jesus says that true greatness comes from humility, like that of a child. In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride or self-sufficiency? What would it look like to practice childlike humility this week? ([04:20])
The way we treat other believers is a reflection of our relationship with Jesus. Is there someone in the church you have a hard time loving or serving? What is one step you could take to show Christ’s love to them? ([07:17])
The sermon warns that sin is never just a private matter—it spreads and affects others. Can you think of a time when your words, attitudes, or actions influenced someone else for good or for bad? How does this realization affect the way you think about your own holiness? ([21:05])
Jesus calls for “spiritual amputation”—removing anything that leads us into sin, no matter how costly. Is there a habit, relationship, or activity in your life that you know leads you toward sin? What would it look like to “cut it off” or set up boundaries? ([25:29])
The sermon encourages confession and seeking accountability. Who is someone you could be honest with about your struggles, and how could you invite them to help you fight sin? ([27:59])
Instead of just focusing on the size of our sin, the sermon calls us to marvel at the magnitude of God’s mercy. How can you remind yourself this week of the mercy and grace Jesus has shown you? ([37:14])
The pastor said, “Kill sin before it kills you.” What is one practical step you can take this week to make war on sin in your life, rather than making peace with it? ([25:29])

Sermon Clips

“In this time of great spiritual boredom and apathy in this area, Edwards did not try to wake them up with songs of joyfulness and light-heartedness. He didn't try to lean on the tenderness of Christ or to disarm people with humor and folktales, but to preach on sin and the wrath of God against all those who sin. He made sin as serious as the Bible says it is.”

“So Jesus began the fourth discourse in the passage right before this uh with an object lesson. This is kind of his fourth sermon in the book of Matthew. He calls the child into the midst and he says to the disciples who had just been arguing about who was the greatest that if they even wanted to enter the kingdom of heaven, let alone be great in it, they had to become like children, dependent, trusting and humble.”

“If you receive one of my people, you are receiving me. He values them. He doesn't just overlook them and set them to the side. He desires the lowly. He invites them to come and he welcomes them in. And all are invited to follow him and become his people, his church. And the more you study scripture, the more clear it becomes. Jesus's people are his church. They are one and the same.”

“The way you treat fellow believers is the way you treat Jesus. That's why our disciplehip, our engagement, and even our very membership in the church matters. The way we feel, think, and act toward other Christians reflects the way that we think, feel, and act toward Jesus.”

“Because church isn't just a club to attend. It's a family. It's a people that we belong to. So, if you're ready to explore what that looks like, please talk to me. This is about committing to love one another, to serve one another, to walk together with the very people that Jesus calls his own. The local church is where the little ones of Jesus gather together.”

“It's where we learn to walk in humility, where we learn to protect one another from sin and to encourage one another in Christ. It's where we display to the world that Jesus is real because we love one another in his name. It's where we show the world that we who we represent by loving one another with a supernatural and holy love.”

“If receiving his little ones is like receiving him, then sinning causing them to sin is like sinning against Jesus. It is sinning against Jesus. And Jesus does not take that lightly because Jesus recognizes that sin is not a little thing. It is not small. Sin is very serious.”

“God takes sin far more seriously than we do. Jesus uses an extreme image here, right? The great millstone was one of the big stones that was used to grind wheat into flour. And those commonly weighed thousands of pounds, multiple tons. To have one of these tied around your neck and dropped into water is guaranteed death and drowning.”

“We're really good at justifying the sin that is in our hearts. We're really good at adding qualifiers to our pet sins. It's just a little white lie. Or I was just stretching the truth. Or I was just venting or blowing off steam in order to cover up for my anger, gossip, and slander. I was just being honest.”

“We must have the humility to recognize that my sin is so heinous that it took the death of God's own son to redeem me. That's how serious my sin is. There's nothing little about this. Jesus calls us to be humble like children because we have no right to be prideful.”

“Your sin, if left unrepented, will infect the people you care about as well. You may you might not even mean to do it, but the people around you will begin to feel feel the chill of your lukewarmness, the poison of your bitterness, the ripple of your pride.”

“You might think that you're just keeping it in your heart or in your home, but if it's live, it is spreading. It is reproducing in you and in the people you influence. And this is why Jesus pronounces a woe, a curse on those through whom temptation comes. Because it doesn't matter if it's big or small. Little sins are never little because they too can lead people away from Jesus.”

“If we take Jesus at his word, if we understand that sin offends a holy God, it harms his people and it leads to judgment. Then we cannot afford to play around with it. Jesus doesn't just call us to grieve our sin or to confess our sin. He goes much further in calling us to kill our sin.”

“Jesus is calling for spiritual amputation. A decisive painful cutting off of anything in your life that leads you to sin. Whether it's something you do, somewhere you go and spend a lot of time at, something you watch, or someone you spend time with, if it leads you to sin, Jesus is saying, "Cut it out. Get rid of it."”

“Sin always aims at the utmost. Every time it rises up to tempt or entice, it would be satisfied with nothing less than your death. It's trying to kill us. So, we must kill it first. Don't be casual with something that is trying to kill you.”

“You also kill sin by saying yes to something better, Jesus Christ. Because if you just try to cut out your sin, you're going to leave a gap in your life of of something that you enjoyed and appreciated. And what's going to happen? You're going to fill it up with something else. But instead, if you find something that you love and enjoy all the greater, and you can love and enjoy nothing more than Jesus Christ, you will never find the end of your ability to love and enjoy him.”

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