Jesus redefines the commandment against murder, teaching that it is not only the physical act but also the intentions and attitudes of the heart that matter to God. Harboring anger, contempt, or hatred toward another person is seen as equally serious in God's eyes because every human being bears His image. This means that our thoughts and words can be as destructive as our actions, and we are called to examine our hearts for any seeds of animosity or bitterness. The gravity of this teaching is that it levels all of us before God, showing that none are innocent and all are in need of grace. [16:36]
Matthew 5:21-22 (ESV)
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire."
Reflection: Is there someone you are harboring anger or contempt toward, even if you have never acted on it? What would it look like to bring that hidden anger before God today and ask Him to help you see that person as His image-bearer?
Lingering, unresolved anger is not just a fleeting emotion—it becomes a foothold for the enemy in your life. When you allow anger to persist, you create space for bitterness and division, and you give the devil a room to operate in your heart. God calls you to deal with anger quickly, to speak the truth in love, and to seek reconciliation before the sun goes down. This is not just for the sake of others, but for your own spiritual health and freedom, as holding onto anger can make you an accomplice to the enemy’s work of destruction. [36:54]
Ephesians 4:25-27 (ESV)
"Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."
Reflection: Is there unresolved anger in your heart that you have allowed to linger? What practical step can you take today to address it honestly and quickly, so you do not give the enemy a foothold?
Insulting or demeaning others—whether by calling them "empty-headed" or "fool"—is a way of denying their God-given dignity and worth. When you reduce someone to a label or dismiss their reasoning, you are not only harming them but also dishonoring the image of God in them. This kind of contempt, whether spoken or harbored in your mind, is a serious offense in God’s eyes and can have eternal consequences. God calls you to honor others, even those you disagree with, by listening, seeking understanding, and refusing to dehumanize or write them off as unredeemable. [48:42]
Matthew 5:22 (ESV)
"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire."
Reflection: When was the last time you dismissed someone’s perspective or labeled them in your mind? How can you intentionally honor the image of God in someone you disagree with this week?
God values reconciliation so highly that He commands you to seek it even before offering your worship. If you know someone has something against you, Jesus says to leave your gift at the altar and go make things right. This means that restored relationships are more important to God than religious rituals or outward acts of devotion. Reconciliation is not always easy, but it is urgent and non-negotiable for those who follow Christ, because it reflects the heart of the Father who runs to embrace the prodigal. [51:56]
Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to reach out to and seek reconciliation with before you continue in worship or service? What is stopping you from taking that step today?
Though all of us have failed in anger, contempt, and broken relationships, Jesus came to settle with our accuser, reconcile us as brothers and sisters, and empower us to be agents of peace. He endured the anger, insults, and condemnation of humanity, paid the full penalty for our sin, and now stands as our advocate before the Father. Because of His sacrifice, we are forgiven and called to extend that same grace and reconciliation to others, knowing that one day He will return as Judge. Today is the day to receive His advocacy and to live as peacemakers in a divided world. [01:05:29]
Romans 8:33-34 (ESV)
"Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust Jesus as your advocate and peacemaker? How can you rely on His finished work to empower you to pursue peace and reconciliation with others today?
The Holy Spirit searches each of us, not to accuse without cause, but because there is real guilt in our hearts—more than we often realize. The standard of God’s justice is not excessive; it simply matches the gravity of our offense, which is treason against the Almighty Himself. As we turn to Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus redefines the commandment “Do not murder,” showing that the law is not just about the act of killing, but about the heart posture behind it. Anger, insults, and contempt toward others are all forms of spiritual violence that God judges as seriously as physical murder, because every person bears the image of God. To hate, to insult, or to write someone off as irredeemable is to desecrate the image of God in them.
Jesus exposes how easy it is to excuse ourselves by comparing our sins to others or by hiding behind religious activity. Yet, He calls us to radical honesty: to recognize our anger, to refuse to harbor contempt, and to seek reconciliation quickly. The antidote to anger is not denial, but truth-telling and swift action—dealing with our grievances before the sun goes down, lest we give the devil a foothold in our lives. When we refuse to reconcile, we become accomplices to the accuser, Satan, whose aim is always division and destruction.
God values restored relationships over religious rituals. If we remember that someone has something against us, we are to leave our offering and go make things right. This is not just a suggestion, but a command that reflects the heart of God, who Himself crossed the greatest chasm to reconcile us to Himself. Jesus not only settled with our accuser by taking our judgment upon Himself, but He also empowers us by His Spirit to be agents of peace and reconciliation. He is our advocate, our perfect attorney, who pleads His own blood on our behalf. Yet, there is urgency: the offer of His advocacy is for today, for there will come a day when He returns as Judge.
In the end, the call is clear: stop hating. Whether in our hearts, our words, or our actions, we are to pursue peace, reconciliation, and unity, trusting in the finished work of Christ and the ongoing work of the Spirit. Even when reconciliation seems impossible, we lean on Jesus—because that’s what He is for.
Matthew 5:21-26 (ESV) — “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.”
Ephesians 4:25-27 (ESV) — “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”
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