Day 92 · Week 14
Passage: Matthew 5:21–22
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:26
Matthew 5:21–22 (KJV)
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Most people can read the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” and feel fairly comfortable. They have never murdered anyone.
Then Jesus takes the commandment into the heart.
He shows that God's concern is not limited to the final violent act. The attitudes that destroy relationships matter too.
Anger itself is not always sinful. Scripture describes righteous anger against evil, and Jesus Himself showed anger at hardened hearts. But anger can quickly become sinful when we cherish resentment, contempt, hatred, or the desire to hurt another person.
Jesus especially warns about treating people with contempt. Words can reveal that we have stopped seeing someone as a person made in God's image and begun treating them as worthless.
The sixth commandment protects human life. Jesus shows that its principle reaches deeper: disciples should value people in the heart as well as refrain from physically harming them.
This is why following Jesus requires more than controlling our hands. We need Him to transform our attitudes.
What is the difference between feeling angry and choosing to hold on to hatred or contempt?
Is there someone toward whom I have allowed anger to become bitterness?
Ask Jesus to reveal unhealthy anger in your hearts and teach your family to value every person as someone created and loved by God.