The Message version of Matthew 5:21-26 says:
21-22“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
23-24“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
25-26“Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine.
We are to love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. And planning to kill some one is one thing, but in this passage as with the other passages around it Jesus brings the 10 words or 10 commandments to a new level. No longer is it only physical death, but it is accosting someone with words. Because we all know that words hurt us some times more than physical pain. Words cut us to our being our soul, they define us, even when we do not want them to. People can tell alot about us by what we say, how we say it and when it is said. We need to love and not allow anger to over take us or become a fire into the night. (see Ephesians 4:26). Tertullian a father of the church said that if “you refuse to make satisfaction to your fellow believer, or else by remaining in anger, to lose your prayer?” We lose our communication with God when we keep the anger with another. Let go and Let God
aSacredRebel 