a 365 day trip through Matthew with a key thought, prayer, focus verse and contextual verses for each day
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Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:5-6
My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants. So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong.
James 1:19-20
In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Ephesians 4:26-27 |
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February 21
Murder! - Matthew 5:21
“You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone. Anyone who murders another will be judged.’ But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell."
Full Text
Key Thought
As religious people, it is so easy for us to feel pious and righteous when we hear of all the horrible things done in our world that are ungodly. "Thankfully I'm not one of them!" we can smugly think to ourselves. Jesus shatters all of our smugness. He's tells us that he wants our righteousness to exceed that of the Pharisees and Scribes. He really means it. The next several verses will drive this point home. The character of heart described in the beatitudes is now demanded of disciples in our everyday lives. There's no room for smugness when Jesus tells us that angry hatred, slanderous gossip, or shaming speech puts us in the same category as murderers. His point? Murder starts in the heart and works its way out. These two actions are all part of the same continuum -- different by degree, not by kind.
Today's Prayer
O Lord, purge from my heart all bitterness, hatred, and venomous anger. Give me your Spirit of forgiveness and grace. I want to be pure in heart and hold nothing against those you love. Father, I don't want to poison my heart with the stains of Satan's tools of anger, judgmentalism, and disrespect. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses with Jesus
(key verses in bold)
21 “You have heard that it was
said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone.
Anyone who murders another will be judged.’ 22 But I tell
you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be
judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be
judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be
in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and
you remember that your brother or sister has something against
you, 24 leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace
with that person, and then come and offer your gift.
25 “If your enemy is taking you to court, become friends
quickly, before you go to court. Otherwise, your enemy might
turn you over to the judge, and the judge might give you to a
guard to put you in jail. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not
leave there until you have paid everything you owe.
(NCV) The New Century Version, (Dallas, Texas:
Word Publishing) 1987, 1988, 1991.
Used by permission.
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