Cut Off the Problem at its Root

If I could write a whole book on the principle in the following Bible passage, I would because it’s my favorite scripture regarding personal holiness. This principle—the power of cutting it off—will help you maintain your spiritual freedom. I wish this version of Christianity was preached more because the church I know today is so tolerant of compromise, lukewarmness, and carnality that they’re feasting at the table with demons and drinking from the devil’s cup (1 Cor. 10:21). Nothing removes the devil faster and keeps him away better than gouging something out or cutting it off:

So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

—Matthew 5:29–30, NLT

Why did Jesus give such drastic instructions in this passage? Because at times the best strategy is a militant one. Your freedom is that important—so important that you might need to cut something or someone off to keep your sanctification. In these verses, Jesus is not telling you to literally cut your eye out or cut your hand off, but He is saying, “Do whatever you have to do to get rid of the sin in your life.” To gouge out one’s eye requires a deep commitment—it means that no matter how much it hurts, you realize that the pain is still better than losing your soul.

So, if you have a problem with lust, it might require you to “cut off” your computer by getting rid of it or by having someone help you monitor it and hold you accountable. This level of spiritual surgery is needed to follow Christ. You must surgically remove yourself from the things the kingdom of darkness might offer you, whatever that may be. Anyone who knows me can see I embody this verse and this level of consecration, but why? Because I know myself. My flesh knows how to manipulate me, and if left to my own devices, I would deceive myself into justifying just about any sin in my life.

Because of that, I have embraced a no-nonsense version of Christianity that entails militant discipline. As I am one of the leading voices for the deliverance ministry, that responsibility requires me to live a life that is above reproach. I cannot need an endless cycle of deliverance sessions for failing to cut off whatever I struggle with. If you want to walk in high levels of the anointing for deliverance—the same level of holiness I walk in—then cut off and gouge out everything that doesn’t please God.

Note: I personally don’t listen to anything secular, I don’t watch many movies, I don’t watch TV, and I rarely watch the news. I don’t listen to worldly music, and I don’t hang around carnal Christians or unbelievers on a social level. I know it might sound like I am a Christian hermit, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Anyone who knows me knows that my freedom in Christ is the most valuable thing to me, and I won’t hesitate to gouge anything out of my life, should the Lord require it. I live by one motto: I ain’t going to hell for nobody. Say it out loud with me: “I’m not going to hell for anybody.” It isn’t worth it.

To learn more about Alexander Pagani’s latest book,
The Secrets to Maintaining Your Deliverance, visit MyCharismaShop.com