The reality of hell should affect the way people live.
The importance of making the right choice
Matthew 7:13–14 See also Deuteronomy 30:19; Jeremiah 21:8; Luke 13:23–25
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
A personal spiritual life is vital
It is more important than short-term worldly gain
Matthew 16:26 parallels Mark 8:36, Luke 9:25 See also Luke 12:20, Luke 16:19–25
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
It is not just outward appearance
Matthew 3:7–10 parallel Luke 3:7–9
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Religious activity alone is not only valueless but perilous
Matthew 7:21–23 See also Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 23:11–12; Luke 13:26–28; John 15:6
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Believers must maintain their loyalty to God
Matthew 10:28 parallel Luke 12:4–5 See also Deuteronomy 4:23–24; Isaiah 8:12–13
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Temptations to sin must be dealt with drastically
Matthew 5:29–30 See also Matthew 18:8–9; Mark 9:43–48
If your right eye causes you to sin, 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 right 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 depart into hell.
Some attitudes and practices that lead to hell
Deliberately continuing in sin
Hebrews 10:26–27 See also Numbers 15:30; Hebrews 6:4–6; 2 Peter 2:20
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.
Lack of spiritual response
Matthew 22:13, Matthew 24:51, Matthew 25:30
Wilfully ignoring divine activity
Matthew 11:20–24 parallel Luke 10:13–15 Sodom, destroyed by God, was notoriously sinful. See also Matthew 23:33, Matthew 25:41–46
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Contempt for fellow humans
Matthew 5:22 The term “fool” implied the despising of another as worthless and godless. See also James 3:6
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.