SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:21-26
OBSERVATION:
The “rules” speak against murder, but the way of Jesus digs deeper to anger and its results (the words that anger produce, like fool). Anger that burns within lashes out with words that burn. Jesus is not saying that someone who says “fool” will go to hell, but that those who vent anger through their words are stoking the fire of hell within them. Compare this with James’ comments about the tongue (“set on fire by hell”, James 3:6). Jesus urges us to take the harmful consequences of our words and actions seriously. If we are worshiping God, STOP and deal with that situation that God lays on your heart where you have hurt someone (where He convicts you that you are guilty). If you don’t, you will pay the consequences. Better to deal with the wrong right away, rather than wait for it to come back and get you.
APPLICATION:
Whenever God convicts me of something wrong, I need to deal with it. Stop what I am doing (even if its in the middle of a worship service or business meeting or my favourite TV show) and deal with it. Start with God, be honest and repent and deal with it. From there take the first opportunity to make it right with the person I have wronged. If I don’t, I am “in danger of the fire of hell” (not the judgment, but the consequence). Don’t feed the fires of sin and anger, put them out right away before its too late.
PRAYER:
Lord, is there a situation I need to be convicted about? Someone that I have anger towards, someone that I have hurt with my words and actions? Show me where I need to deal with sin, before I get burned. Amen.
We are told that murder is more than the physical act of killing. God needs to be in control of not only or deeds but also of our thoughts. All of my life I must learn to praise the living God. All of my life nust be in His control, even my thoughts of anger, jealous, dislike, hatred, envy, etc toward those around me. When I have evil thoughts about my brother or sister about their behaviour, their actions, their likeability, the way they dress, the way the act, talk, manner of speech, etc their God created uniqueness, then I have commotted murder. When I praise and worship the living God, I must do it with a clean heart and there may be no malice or eveil thought in my presence.
Help me Lord to live wholeheartedly for You! Purify my heart,
Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold and precious silver.
Purify my heart Lord,
Let me be as gold, pure gold.
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy,
Set apart for You my master,
Ready to do Your will.
Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin and make me holy.
Purify my heart Lord,
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within.