Matthew 5:21-26

DAY 31

Date: 1-05-2025

Murder/Anger

Scripture 5:21-26

Pray

Q: Does the absence of evil acts equal peace? In other words, if there is a village or community where there is no murder or stealing or beatings or rape or violence, such as secretly burning another’s house or crops, or maiming their work animals – does the absence of all these external expressions of evil equal peace? Does that automatically mean that the people in that village love each other? Or have peace in their hearts?

Does the absence of outward evil behavior automatically mean that there is peace and joy and love and gentleness and kindness and forgiveness and true charity? 

In other words, does the absence of external evil behavior – SIN – automatically mean that there internal attitudes that God requires are there? If you remove murder or adultery or lying or covetousness, does that mean that love automatically replaces it?  

Ezekiel 11:19-21 says, 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.” (NIV 1984)

Read scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

(NIV 1984) You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

———————————————

OVERVIEW

The LETTER of the law counts. But so does the SPIRIT of the law. 

Jesus begins teaching that the Spirit of the law is just as important, and at some points, even more important than the letter of the law; the internals were just as important as the externals. 

It is not just the LETTER of the law (externals), it is the SPIRIT (internals) of the law as well.

It is not just the action of your hand or your mouth, it is also the motivation of the heart. 

(See Matthew 15:-18-20) (NIV 1984) 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean.’

Our book, on pg 65, calls the rest of Matthew 5, starting with today’s verse:

Examples of True and False Righteousness (Holman Commentary)

Our book also says the next six sections in Matthew 5 are examples, and not an exhaustive list. 
They are meant to teach us a principle, a “way of thinking” and we are to apply that principle to our reading of scripture. He says, “That underlying principle is: Seek and apply the heart intention of God’s instruction, not merely the letter of it.”

In this section, you will notice that Jesus does not abolish or nullify the law; it is still wrong to commit murder or adultery, but more is at stake than strictly following the letter of the law by “not” murdering somebody. Someone may want to murder someone in their heart, but not actually do it because of circumstances or cowardice or fear of getting caught. Because he did not  actually commit murder because circumstances prevented it, does that make him innocent. According to an “external” keeping if the law, yes, he is not guilty of murder. But Jesus is saying that God still finds him guilty.

1John 3:15 says, (ESV) 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (This attitude is an attitude of the heart.)

(NIV 1984) James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

David says in Psalm 66:18, (NIV 1984) 18 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;” This means that fellowship with God is broken because of sin. Sin in the HEART.

God desires, indeed God REQUIRES, more than that you not murder. He desires that you not be angry. But He desires even more than this. He real desire is that you love one another! Even your enemies. 

Rom 12:9-10 says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (NIV 1984)

And Rom 12:17-19 say, 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil … live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge … but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” (NIV 1984)

If we can borrow from next week’s lesson on adultery, we see that not only is committing adultery with your neighbors wife a sin (the 7th commandment – Exo 20:14 –external), so is coveting her (the 10th commandment – Exo 20:17 – internal – a sin of the heart.) 

Anger is a sin because if left unchecked or unresolved, it can lead to murder. See the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. 

The MAIN POINT(s)

1. EVERY sin has a cause that starts in the heart.

2. Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life. (Pro 4:23 NIV 1984) 

3. Get your heart right with God, and with your brother or sister. 

4. Again, David says in Psalm 66:18, (NIV 1984) 18 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;” This means that fellowship with God is broken because of sin with your brother or sister. Sin in the HEART.

5. Internals (the Spirit of the law) demand a good, clear conscience toward God. Externals (the letter of the law) do not. 

Men always find it easier to substitute ceremonial aspects of religion (externals-strictly following the letter of the law) for the demons of a clear conscience before God (internals). James Montgomery Boice, Sermon on the Mount, pg 109. (That in italics is my addition, and not Boice’s words.)

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY METHOD

When studying the Bible, a great way to do it is by the Inductive Bible Study Method. 

Observation. Interpretation. Application.

1. What does it say? (Observation)
2. What does it mean? (Interpretation)
3. How does this apply to me? (Application)

Let’s go thru today’s passage using the Inductive Method:

OIA Observation – Interpretation – Application

V.   Observation – What does it say?

Interpretation – What does it mean?

Application – How do I apply it to my life?

APPLICATION

1. Admit our sin
2. Correct it 
3. Immediately
4. Ask God to change our heart! (Ps. 51:10)

Then follow Romans 12:17-21:

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV 1984)

When someone sins against us, we are not to retaliate, or return evil with evil. We are to return evil with good.

This is NOT EASY! It may even seem impossible. 

BUT Matthew 19:26 says,“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (NIV 1984)

When we do this, we will be Salty Salt and a bright shining Light in this lost and fallen world. 

Anger is not the answer. This is the Christian way, the way that we GROW INTO as we follow Jesus. 

——————————————

Relevant Verses:

Anger

(NIV 1984) 19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20

(NIV 1984) In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. (Eph 4:26-27)

(NIV 1984) 23 Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? 24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” (John 7:23-24)

(NIV 1984) 10 That is why I was angry with that generation,

and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray,

and they have not known my ways.’ (Heb 3:10)

(ESV) 15 Everyone who hates (an attitude of the heart) his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 Jn 3:15)

(ESV) 1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Gen. 4:1-7)

(ESV) 4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

5 Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the LORD. (Ps 4:4-5)

(ESV) 9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, (1 Kings 11:9)

(ESV) 9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the heart of fools. (Ecc 7:9)

(ESV) 17 Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry,
I struck him; I hid my face and was angry,
but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. (Isa 57:17)

(ESV) Return, faithless Israel,
declares the LORD.
I will not look on you in anger,
for I am merciful,
declares the LORD;
I will not be angry forever.
13 Only acknowledge your guilt,
that you rebelled against the LORD your God (Jer 3:12-13)

(ESV) The LORD was very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. 4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. (Zechariah 1:2-4)

Fool(s)

(NIV 1984) “20 This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21)

(NIV 1984) 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? (Matt 23:17)

(NIV 1984) 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,
but the folly of fools is deception.
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright. (Pro 14:8-9)

(NIV 1984) 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools. (Pro 15:7)

Heart

(NIV 1984) 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 Jn 3:17-20)

(NIV 1984) 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Ps 51:10)

(NIV 1984) 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Rom 10:9-10

(NIV 1984) 10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart’s
that I might not sin against you. Ps 119:10-11

(NIV 1984) I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts. Heb 8:1

It seems to me, initially, that murder, and even being angry with a brother or sister is not the way Christians should behave. It is not the way Christians should treat other. Anger and hate and murder is not the way. It seems to me that John 15:12 shows us a different way that Christians are supposed to relate to each other. It says, (NIV 1984) 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:9-13)

And 1 Jn 3:16-24 agrees:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (NIV 1984)