Beginning in Matthew 5:21 Yeshua makes 7 statements all directed at the foundational heart issues that lead to destructive actions, which lead to necessary judgment. He begins with anger (5:22), followed by heart-filled lust (5:28), integrity of our words (5:37), doing more than is required (5:41), loving as we’ve been loved (5:44), giving (6:3), and intimacy in prayer (6:6,7).

Each heart issue, if not tempered and yielded to the Spirit can lead to the ultimate judgment. There is a true adage that says, ‘a thought leads to an action, an action leads to a habit, a habit leads to a lifestyle and the lifestyle determines our fruit and judgment (good or bad). Examining the heart is never easy and the heart cannot be trusted, because it’s deceitful above all things and who can know it (Jer. 17:9).

Since the flood mankind has been warned about taking another person’s life (Gen. 9:5,6). That makes complete sense that you would not take something that doesn’t belong to you; especially something as valuable as a person created after the similitude of Yahweh Elohim. At Mt. Sinai these words are summarized in ‘you shall not kill’ (Ex. 20:13) and later reiterated in Deuteronomy 5:17. Consequentially, Yeshua reminds us that whoever takes the life of another individual is subject to judgment (Matt. 5:21).

For His listeners on the mount these statements were nothing new and they obeyed them, hence Yeshua said, ‘you have heard that it was said…’ To you and I that might mean that they only had heard it verbally. The biblical mindset of ‘hearing’ is to shema those words; to hear and obey (Deut. 6:4-6).

Yeshua, takes this thought to the heart of the commandment. He knows that most individuals would never kill someone. So, we could imagine the people sitting on the hill thinking how their righteousness is going to exceed that of the Pharisees (5:20). Immediately after that puzzling contemplation He introduces these 7, ‘you have heard it said’ statements, and initially they experience a sigh of relief…as most would sigh inside thinking, finally, something I do…I would never kill anyone. Then comes the caveat that hits the heart.

“But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, ‘raca’, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, ‘you fool’, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matt. 5:22)

Let the squirming begin! ‘At least we felt comfortable for a few seconds!’ Where did Yeshua’s statement come from? Did He add to the Torah (Deut. 4:2, 12:32)? If He did, He just disqualified Himself as a sinless Lamb (John 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:22) and The Prophet spoken of by Moses (Deut. 13:1-8; 18:15-18). What did He do then? He warned them of what would happen if the heart wasn’t checked.

The condition of the heart leads to thoughts (Heb. 4:12). Thoughts lead to actions (Prov. 4:23). Actions lead to habits (Gal. 5:19-20). A habit leads to a lifestyle (Gal. 5:21, 6:9,10). And a lifestyle produces fruit, good or bad, that leads to judgment (2 Cor. 5:10).

Notice what Yeshua didn’t say. He didn’t say that it was a sin to get angry (Eph. 4:26). His focus was completely on motive. Our problem is that we feel our anger is justified, hence ‘I’m angry for a good reason!’ Fortunately, Yeshua teaches us how we can check our motivated anger to see if it’s without sin (Eph. 4:26) by listening to what comes out of our mouth. For whatever comes out of our mouth is what lies deep in our heart and by our words we will be justified and by our words we will be condemned (Matt. 12:36).

There was a lot of squirming on the hill that day! Yah-willing, after today we’ll be able to confess our anger to Him and the person offended, repent, and take Him at His Word anticipating the coming judgment (Matt. 5:12; 16:27; Lk. 6:35; 1 Cor. 3:8; Col. 3:23,24; 2 John 1:8; Rev. 11:18; 18:6; 22:12).

Shalom!

Alan