June 18, 2020

We are going to spend the next two weeks together as a church reading Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount! The Sermon on the Mount is the first of Jesus’ major teachings recorded in the gospel of Matthew. In it, Jesus explains the ethics and values of the kingdom of Heaven as opposed to the ethics and values of the world. The values and principles that are to govern our lives as followers of Jesus and citizens of the kingdom of Heaven are wildly different from those that govern the various cultures of our world, including the culture in which we live.

Over the next two weeks, allow the words of the Lord Jesus to challenge the way you think, expose the worldly and idolatrous values and desires of your heart, and transform you to live in the new way that He has laid before us!

This passage begins a pattern which will carry through the rest of chapter 5 in which Jesus states “You have heard that it was said ‘(Old Testament commandment)’, but I tell you (something else)”. What Jesus is doing in these sections is going beyond the surface of the Old Testament Law in order to expose the heart which lies behind it. Today, Jesus tackles the issue of anger.

Jesus explains that the outwardly sinful act of murder is the direct result of a heart overcome by anger. Jesus says that it is sin whenever we allow anger to move us to lash out at others. The extreme example is murder, but Jesus also points to insulting or cursing others as examples of this sinful attitude of the heart. 

Jesus is calling His followers not only to refuse to be overcome by anger, but to be about reconciliation and making peace (see verses 23-24), and He warns us that the consequences could be rather severe should we fail to do so. Jesus calls us to master our anger rather than being mastered by it!

Matthew 5:21-26

Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Family Discussion Question:

  • What are some ways that anger can move us to act in ways that do not honor God? How can we instead choose to be people of peace?

19 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-June 18”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father,
    We have been told that anger is a sin and an abomination to the Lord. The saying “you can get more with honey than with vinegar is so true”. No one should tolerate discord snd anger at any level. We should always try to defuse rather than ignite a situation. Frustration and discontent are the basis for anger. Teach us, Lord, to be peace makers and to pray for those that have such pent up anger inside. Help us turn wrath away and soothe a situation by presenting a pleasing, calming spirit as anger can do such irreparable damage. Thank you for Your Word and the many ways You teach us to live a life , not only more satisfying, but pleasing in Your eyes. I want to honor You daily. Please help me to always present myself acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.

    2. This prayer is exactly how I feel. Thank you so much for your prayer. AMEM and HALLELUJAH.

  2. Help me Father to show love and compassion to those I meet so that when they see me, they see You.

  4. A verse in Psalms has helped me greatly as I have been frustrated with someone and I can feel myself getting in control of the situation which by the way means I the Kord is no longer in control and that is a very bad thing. The verse says “Set a watch o Lord before my lips, keep the door of my mouth.” (Ps. 141:3).
    Thank you Lord for answering my hearts desire relative to becoming Angry!

  5. Jan I just read your post and I totally agree that was well said and it is my hearts desire as well!!

  6. I hear so many couples have so much anger which hurts them and the children. It is probably due to past hurts and selfishness.
    I pray God will heal those wounds and then they will be able to build each other up and have a peaceful home for all.

  7. Father, you are the master of the universe as well as the maker. You have made me in your image to love and not hate, to build up not tear down, to heal not to hurt. You, Father, have shown me such grace and mercy. Thank you. Help me to control my emotions today. Help me to ‘Taste My Words’ before I utter them. May I not be a stumbling block for anyone. The world needs your love and forgiveness so much today. But, until Jesus comes again, we must do battle with the devil and minions. May I speak in love with compassion in our search, together, to save one more for Jesus. Amen

  8. Anger against a person will tear a family apart whether the affront is true or just thought. God can heal and repair . He wants us to be peaceful as doves.

  9. The price to pay for my sin is too great. Help me Lord instead, live in the freedom of your forgiveness of my sin, so I can forgive others and be in right relationship with them, as I am with you.

  10. Gracias padre amado por tu palabra tú nos enseña cómo debemos comportarnos para ser de tu agrado y venir a ti sin pecados y manchas, ayúdanos a controlar nuestra ira, a no guardar rencor a quien nos hace del mal, ayúdanos a poder demostrar tú amor en cualquier circunstancia ya que no somos digno de tú misericordia y es una batalla que tenemos que vencer junto a ti porque sin ti y sin tu espíritu santo no somos capaces de pisotear tus talones mi Dios gracias porque estás siempre guiándonos no te apartes nunca de mí te necesitamos en este mundo contaminado Gracias padre en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén ?

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