Key scripture – “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 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. “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” (Matthew 5:21-24 NLT).

Do you know that the way that you treat the people around you matters very much to God?

In the key scripture Jesus is quoting one of the Ten Commandments and then He says that the heart of God behind this commandment reaches much further than you may have thought.

Murder is an extreme form of the attitude that God hates. This is the same attitude that produces anger and puts people down (“you good-for-nothing” or as we might say, “loser”) and makes them out to be less than you (“you fool, you idiot”). The attitude may show up in any of these ways, and it is the attitude that God hates. This is a prideful attitude that breaks your fellowship with God.

Many of us would never murder a person, but we may wish someone were dead. Have you ever hated anyone?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 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.” (Matthew 5:21–22 NLT).

We also read in 1 John 3:15, “Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.” The word used here for hate means “to habitually despise.” It is not just a transient emotion of the affections but a deep-rooted loathing.

It’s an attitude that says, “I can’t stand you. When you walk into a room, I just seethe. I boil. I would like to see you destroyed. When you cross my mind I sit around and fantasize about bad things happening to you. You grate on my nerves like fingernails on a chalk board. When someone mentions your name, I tell them every bad thing about you that comes to my mind.” Guess what? That is like murdering a person, and that is a sin before God.

So even if we have never committed the physical act of murder, the reality is that we still can be murderers in our hearts. In fact, God wants you to make things right with people before coming to Him!

Who do you need to call or go see today to make things right?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for all the times I have called someone a loser, an idiot, or wished bad things would happen to them. Forgive me for when I have cursed someone in my heart and said bad things about them with my mouth. If there is anyone that I need to go and apologize to, bring them to my mind so that I can ask for their forgiveness. I do not want the root of any anger or bitterness toward anyone to grow in me. Peter told us, “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:8-12). Father, I want to respond to people like Jesus did. I want to enjoy life and see many days, therefore, I will keep my tongue from speaking evil and my lips from telling lies. I will turn from evil and do good. I want to bless my enemies not curse them. I know that I cannot do it in my own strength but because Christ lives in me, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.