Thou Shalt Not Be Angry without cause. Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” Matthew 5:21-22 (NLT). Jesus always has a way of taking things to the next level. Just when I think I’ve got it all figured out, He puts a new twist on it; and these verses are no exception. I’m happy to say that I’ve never committed murder; and, before reading this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, I would have proudly said that I have never even wanted to commit murder, but my pride quickly melts away in the light of Jesus’ new command: Don’t be angry with anyone. OUCH! That’s a pride crusher! Just moments ago, I yelled at my friend; and let me tell you, I was angry. And I must confess that I’ve called my share of people idiots over the years; and I shudder to even think about the number of times I’ve thought hateful things about another person. So, how does Jesus ever expect me to be able to keep this command? Thankfully, the Bible makes one thing abundantly clear: God does not ask us to do anything He does not give us the strength to do. So, why do I find myself getting angry so often? Why do I find myself thinking that the man driving next to me is an idiot or find myself grumbling under my breath about the woman with all the coupons at the grocery store? The truth is that it’s a matter of surrender; and until I fully surrendered my will to God, until I allow Him to change my heart and give me new eyes to view those around me, I will continue seeing people as stupid idiots instead of as God’s beautiful children. My prayer today is that God will give me His eyes and His heart, so that when I begin to feel that anger surging up inside me, I will listen to the Holy Spirit’s whispers of love and peace rather than lashing out at those around me; instead of seeing others as an ugly inconvenience, I will begin to see them as God sees them—worthy of unconditional love.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 06:19:20 +0000
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