In Matthew 18:9, Jesus says, “And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” This verse is a metaphorical way of emphasizing the seriousness of avoiding sin and temptation. Jesus is not commanding literal self-mutilation, but rather highlighting the importance of dealing decisively with anything that leads us away from God. It teaches us to prioritize our spiritual well-being above all else, even if it means making drastic changes in our lives to stay faithful to God.