Attitude

Attitude

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

For years I found it easy to zip right through this passage, thinking, I don’t need to concern myself with that. After all, I’ve never murdered anyone. That was when murder was something I had only read about in the newspaper.

A few years ago, a young man whom my family is acquainted with murdered his sister-in-law. When my husband and I received the shocking, tragic news, I remember thinking, I don’t have a place in my brain to understand and process the news I’ve just heard. Sometimes our shock at news like this settles into a sense of superiority—until we read Bible verses like those above. Jesus explained that a person who commits murder is subject to judgment. All of us know that. But Jesus went on to explain that if I’m angry enough with a person that I curse him or even call him an idiot or a moron, I’m in danger of the fires of hell. Whoa! That makes me squirm. I’m not in the habit of calling others idiots or morons, but I’ve felt and thought that way about people before.

There is a time and a place for righteous anger. Jesus demonstrated that in John 2 when he cleared the Temple. But the danger Jesus addressed here is unrighteous anger that is more like malignant contempt for another human being. These verses encourage me to confess my attitudes of spiritual superiority and run to Jesus, who is my only hope of salvation, righteousness, and grace.

Father,

Your Word cuts right through our pride and speaks to attitudes of our hearts. Please forgive us and help us to love others the way you love. Amen.