‘“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement.”’ Matthew 5:21-22 (NIV).
Jesus goes beyond the literal meaning of the Law to explain its full implications. Murder is a sin as Moses told the Israelites in Exodus 20:13. But Jesus taught that we should not even become angry enough to murder, for then we have already committed murder in our heart.
Jesus spoke about controlling our sinful thoughts first, so that we do not even commit the sinful act. The Pharisees thought they were righteous, because they had not murdered. But Jesus’ words, revealed just how unrighteous they really were: although they would not murder Him themselves, their anger towards Jesus made them guilty already.
Killing is a great sin, but so too is anger. Anger violates God’s command to love. Anger can be seething, brooding bitterness towards another that has the potential to be demonstrated in acts of violence.
Anger keeps us from developing a spiritual maturity that is pleasing to God. Controlling our actions is good, but Christ wants us to start with controlling our thoughts. We will be kept accountable for our thoughts and attitudes.
Prayer:
‘Dear Lord, I have neglected to keep a check on the attitudes of my heart and the wrong thoughts in my mind. Forgive me. Help me by the power of your Spirit to recognize when I am harboring what is displeasing to you. Please create in me a clean and pure thought life so that I may please you.’
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
AMEN!
Final Thoughts:
Let’s take a check on our thoughts and true intentions. Perhaps we give of our money, time and talents to the Kingdom, but do not give with a joyful and generous heart. Perhaps we serve in our churches and communities but serve begrudgingly or with an unthankful attitude.
Perhaps we are faithful to our spouse, but lust after another, or perhaps we say we love the Lord, but our mind is preoccupied with something else that robs God of first place in our life. Jesus speaks about discerning the true intentions of our heart. For these are just as important as the actions in our lives.
Be Greatly Blessed!
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