Verse: Matthew 5:21-22
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Devotion
Jesus is taking the commandment against murder and going deeper by addressing the root cause: anger. He’s showing us that living a righteous life isn’t just about avoiding bad actions but about having a pure heart. By focusing on anger, Jesus is saying that God cares about what’s going on inside us, not just what we do on the outside.
This teaching challenges us to look at our hearts and see how unchecked anger can be destructive. It calls us to seek reconciliation, love, and forgiveness, showing God’s heart in our relationships.
I remember a time when my actions and my heart were not in sync. Outwardly, you would have never known anything was wrong with me. But inside, I harbored anger and resentment towards someone who had hurt me. It wasn't until I confronted these feelings and sought to forgive that I truly felt free. That experience taught me that God is more concerned with our hearts than just our actions. When our hearts are aligned with His, our actions will follow.
Christianity isn’t just about following rules; it’s about transformation from the inside out.
Prayer:
God, thank You for showing us how important our hearts are through Jesus. Help us to let go of anger and embrace love and forgiveness. Transform our hearts so that our actions reflect Your grace and righteousness. Help us to live in a way that our hearts and actions are in sync with Your will.
Guest Author: Joanna Martin