“ Every one who is angry with
his brother shall be liable to judgment”
Are you driven by anger or rage?
The first person
to hate his brother was Cain. God warned Cain: ‘Why are you angry?
..Sin in couching at the door; it’s desire is for you, but you must master
it (Genesis 4:6-7).
Sin doesn’t just happen; it first grows as a seed
in one’s heart. Unless it is mastered, by God’s grace, it grows like
a weed and chokes the fruitful vine. Jesus addressed the issue of
keeping the commandments with his disciples.
The scribes and Pharisees
equated righteousness with satisfying the demands of the law. Jesus
showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as
the seat of desire and choice.
Unless forbidden and evil desires
are eradicated, the heart will be corrupted. Jesus points to forbidden
anger with one's brother. This is a selfish anger that broods and
is long-lived, that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses
to die.
Anger in the heart as well as anger in speech or action are
equally forbidden. What is the antidote to anger and rage?
Mercy, kindness, and forbearance spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards
those who cause us harm and grief.
In the cross of Jesus, we see the supreme example of love and the power for overcoming evil.
Only God’s love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny
of wounded pride and spiteful revenge.
Do you harbor any anger towards
another person?
And are you quick to be reconciled when a rupture has been
caused in your relationships?
Ask God to set you free and to fill
your heart and mind with his love and truth.
Scripture: Matthew 5:20-26
20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of
the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21 "You have heard that it was said to the men of old, `You shall not kill;
and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that
every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever
insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, `You
fool!' shall 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
Make friends 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 till you have paid the last penny.
Prayer
May I be no man’s enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal
and abides.
May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do,
may I be reconciled quickly.
May I love, seek, and attain only that
which is good.
May I wish for all men’s happiness and envy none.
May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me.
When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke
of others, but always rebuke myself until I make amends.
May I win
no victory that harms either me or my opponent.
May I reconcile friends
who are angry with one another.
May I never fail a friend who is
in danger.
When visiting those in grief may I be able by gentle and
healing words to soften their pain.
May I respect myself.
May
I always keep tame that which rages within me.
May I accustom myself
to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances.
May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done, but
know good men and follow in their footsteps.
(Prayer
of Eusebius, 3rd century)
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