Matthew 5:22, “But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” NLT
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother [some manuscripts insert without cause] will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” ESV
I have asked myself this week if I think like Christ does or how I can better think like He does. Jesus pointed out in Matthew 5 six ways to think like Christ. One was where Jesus interprets the law against murder and the sin of anger and hatred in verses 21-22 where Jesus brings the law of Moses, back to the intentions of the heart. “Barclay, commenting on the specific ancient Greek word translated angry: “So Jesus forbids forever the anger which broods, the anger which will not forget, the anger which refuses to be pacified, the anger which seeks revenge.” Blue Letter Bible Commentary, David Guzik.
When God has shown us such great mercy, why is it so easy to fall into the temptation of anger when someone breaks a promise, offends us, or doesn’t fall in line with the values we hold dear, the temptation of anger mightily roars in arrogant contempt? I admit I am guilty. Yet Jesus pulled the disciples aside and warned them about the sin of anger and other temptations in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5. It was a code of ethics and standard of conduct for all believers to live by Jesus’ words.
Did you ever consider purposefully not choosing an angry response to someone, that God will bless you for that? James 2:10;12-13 warns us, “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” As Christians, we are saved by faith, through God’s free gift of grace, not by keeping any law. But we also are required to obey Christ. So James is teaching, understanding, and appreciating God’s mercy He has shown toward us with forgiveness is essential. Matthew 6:14 & 15 warns us, “For if you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” We all are ordinary sinners in need of God’s forgiveness.
“We should be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don’t see as about our actions that are seen by all.” Life Application Study Bible NLT, note. Matthew 5:20.
God sees our hearts. He knows our thoughts and attitudes. God, may your thoughts be my thoughts today (Isaiah 55:8).
Listen to Matthew West – Unashamed (Music Video).