Telling Someone Off

Matthew 5:17-21-22

Jesus refines an old Testament law even more sharply. The old commandments, from God no less, - said, "Do not murder." The Jews had over the centuries, spelled out various levels of judgment for a murdering deed. But now Jesus says, it's not just the deed God is going to judge and punish, but the very thought or attitude out of which a murder springs.

Jesus says, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to th 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."

The Sanhedrin would drag you before the court for libel against another, but Jesus defines it even finer when He says, thinking less of another puts you in danger of hellfire. Whew!

When I was a young teen, about 12-16 this passage often had me under conviction of sin, for I was ashamed of my brother Ernie, and wished he'd never been born. I begged God to give me His love for my brother as I honestly couldn't think kindly of him.

Have you ever told someone off, and called him a fool, or stupid? Did you know this puts you in danger of hell? If hateful, despising thoughts keep us out of Heaven, what are murderous thoughts and deeds going to do? Oh-veh! We are a hateful, murderous lot of people. There can't be anyone free of this sin! Read ahead. There is a solution!

Consider the wisdom in Jesus' finer interpretation. If the people in the family of God dare not even think rude or I'm better-than-you thoughts, the standards are very high. But I'd rather spend eternity with a Heaven full of loving people, than where there is danger of someone even looking down their nose at me, wouldn't you?

P.S. P.S. Just graduating from high school in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada, Ruthe commutes to the city of Saskatoon as a telephone operator. BUT in her off hours, she gets involved in the lives of the abused, bereaved, dying and spiritually hungry. Read Ruthe's Story