WEDNESDAY February 26, 2020

In Danger of Judgment

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

Jesus quoted an Old Testament commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). In the Old Testament, if a person murdered someone, they would pay with their own life. However, Jesus took it a step further; He said that a person did not have to kill anyone to be guilty before God. They could simply be angry with their brother and still be found guilty of judgment.

Even under grace in our new relationship with Christ, if a relationship is broken with our brother because of anger––that is not right before Him. God would have us to forgive one another (Ephesians 4:26-27,31). We also need to be careful with our words. The word Raca means “empty headed.” How many of us are guilty of calling people, “Stupid, or idiot?” Jesus warns of the danger of hell fire, which is judgment in Gehenna––the Lake of Fire. Jesus was very plain and understandable in what He said.

We can offend so many people by things we say to them in anger. If we try to take back our angry words spoken from our hearts, it is too late. Any anger that arises needs to be short lived. When we feel angry, it is better to close our mouths, and not say anything; just open the door and go take a walk. Allow God to speak to our hearts so that when we return home, we can build up with our words and not tear down.

God can help us to have self-control, so we do not sin against Him. He keeps record of every idle word we say! As we study the Beatitudes, there should be a change in our lives.

The short-tempered person is given to fits of rage. Long-temperedness (patience) is part of the fruit of the Spirit as is gentleness and self-control. That fruit is produced in us as we walk under the Spirits control.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!