Matthew 5:22 I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. … But anyone who says, ‘You fool !’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Words can scar a person for life. Children are most susceptible to this form of abuse and mistreatment. Unkind and untrue words can leave scars that last a lifetime. Jesus reminds us of this same truth when he teaches us about the sin of murder.
The Pharisees limited this commandment on murder to the one specific act and the judicial punishment related to it. Jesus expands the coverage of murder beyond the act. He includes the words and motives of anger, malice, revenge, hatred and prideful spite. The intent leading up to the final act of murder is truly the source to which God's commandment is directed.
The inward motives noted can and do lead to the one act. It is this inward motive which is to be addressed in order to correct our problem. If we are to deal with these inward problems earnestly then we cannot waste a single moment in settling our conflicts with others. Jesus describes this earnest need to deal with our inward acts by giving two examples.
The first concerns our worship of God only after we have acted and dealt with others in a Godly manner. If we have unsettled conflicts with our fellow man we must come to terms with them before we can offer pure hearts of prayer to the Lord. Jesus speaks of the urgency to do this before it is too late for us to be reconciled. He then uses the example of the two men going to court to face the judge. Jesus shows us the need to be reconciled before the court appearance. For if they wait for the judge to render his verdict the punishment may be beyond the ability of the accused to withstand.
Every word spoken and deed finished will be seen by God. We all will give account for them, one day.
