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The central theme is very clear: Jesus is not only forbidding murder; He is confronting the root that produces murder—unrighteous anger, contempt, and unreconciled relationships. The song is simply echoing the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.
Let us look at what the Word of God says:
> “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
> But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
> Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,
> leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
> “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court…”
> (Matthew 5:21–25, NIV)
Jesus is dealing with a very practical, very common, and very dangerous area of life: anger. He exposes anger as a spiritual issue that can place a person under judgment, even if no outward act of violence has taken place.
The message is this: freedom from anger is not optional for the disciple of Jesus. It is part of true righteousness. It is part of spiritual warfare. It is part of worship that God will accept.
The lyrics repeat Jesus’ phrase:
> “You have heard that it was said…
> But I tell you…”
That is the voice of divine authority. Jesus is not offering a suggestion. He is defining the standard of the kingdom of God. He moves from the external act (“murder”) to the internal condition (“anger,” “contempt,” “you fool”).
The Christian life is not merely avoiding outward sin. It is being transformed at the level of the heart where anger, contempt, and murderous thoughts are born.
These words come from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Jesus is speaking primarily to His disciples, with the crowds listening in (Matthew 5:1–2). He is announcing the ethics of His kingdom—the righteous standard that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees.
The law of Moses had already said:
> “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)
In the days of Jesus, the religious leaders focused on outward conformity to the law. If you did not physically murder someone, you were counted righteous in this respect.
But Jesus confronts that shallow understanding.
He says in Matthew 5:20:
> “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Then He begins a series of contrasts:
But I tell you…”
He is not abolishing the law. He is fulfilling it (Matthew 5:17). He takes the commandment to its deepest intent—into the motives and attitudes of the inner man.
In the Jewish temple system, worshipers would bring sacrifices and offerings. This was central to their relationship with God. When Jesus speaks of “bringing your gift to the altar,” He is speaking into the very center of their religious life. He is essentially saying:
In their context, this was revolutionary. It still confronts our religious habits today. Many are trying to worship, serve, preach, or minister while harboring anger, resentment, and broken relationships. Jesus says that is not acceptable.
When He says, “Settle matters quickly with your adversary,” He uses a marketplace and legal picture common to His hearers. A dispute on the way to court could be settled privately. But if left unresolved, it could lead to bondage—being handed over to the judge, the officer, and then to prison (Matthew 5:25–26).
Spiritually, unresolved anger and conflict do exactly that: they move us into a place of bondage and judgment.
To understand the full weight of Jesus’ teaching, we need to examine two key words in the Greek text:
1. “Angry”
2. “Hell” (in this context)
### 1. “Angry” – Greek: ὀργίζομαι (orgizomai)
Matthew 5:22:
> “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment…”
The verb “orgizomai” means “to be enraged, to be moved to anger, to be provoked.” It is not a fleeting irritation. It is a settled, internal reaction of hostility.
The noun form “orgē” often refers to a fixed, enduring anger, a kind of inward boiling that does not quickly cool. This is not the momentary emotional reaction that we bring to the Cross and release. This is the kind of anger that we choose to keep, to nourish, to justify.
Ephesians 4:26–27 gives us the balance:
> “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath (orgē), nor give place to the devil.
Here we see:
So, when Jesus speaks of anger in Matthew 5, He is not excusing “internal murder” just because no blood is shed. He is telling us that cherished anger opens the door to judgment and demonic activity. It is lethal in the spiritual realm.
### 2. “Hell” – Greek: γέεννα (Gehenna)
Matthew 5:22:
> “…And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell (Gehenna).”
“Gehenna” derives from the Hebrew “Gē-Hinnom,” the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem. Historically, it was associated with:
By the time of Jesus, “Gehenna” had become a symbol of final, fiery judgment. Jesus is saying that persistent contempt and murderous words place a person in danger of ultimate judgment, not merely temporary discipline.
This shows the seriousness of anger and contempt. In God’s sight:
The lyrics reflect this seriousness:
> “Words of contempt cut deeper than you know
> Guard your thoughts…”
Understanding these Greek words makes the message sharper:
We will move through the main themes of the lyrics and connect them to the broader witness of Scripture.
### A. From Murder to Anger: The Root Behind the Fruit
Lyrics:
> “You have heard it said long ago
> ‘Do not murder…’
> But I tell you something deeper now
> Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister
> Will stand before the court…”
Jesus moves from the external act (murder) to the internal root (anger and contempt). This is consistent with the whole Bible:
> “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
Hatred and anger in the heart are the moral equivalent of murder in God’s sight. They may not be punished in human courts, but they are recorded in heaven’s court.
Cain did not begin with murder. He began with anger and resentment (Genesis 4:5–8). God warned him:
> “Why are you angry? … If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6–7)
Anger opened the door. Sin entered. Murder followed.
Behind murder is anger. Behind anger is pride, hurt, jealousy, fear, insecurity, self-protection. Jesus goes straight to the root, because the kingdom of God deals with roots, not just with fruits.
### B. Contemptuous Words: “You Fool”
Lyrics:
> “And anyone who says ‘You fool’ in contempt
> Is in danger of the fire of hell…”
The phrase “You fool” (Greek: mōre, from which we get “moron”) is not merely stating that someone lacks wisdom. It is an expression of contempt—treating a person as worthless.
James 3 connects our words, our anger, and hell:
> “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body… set on fire by hell (Gehenna).” (James 3:6)
When anger moves from inner resentment to verbal attack, the tongue becomes an instrument of hell’s fire. Many homes, churches, and relationships are burned by that fire.
Proverbs 18:21:
> “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”
When we say “You fool” from a heart of contempt, we speak death. We agree with the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), not with the Intercessor who shed His blood for our brother or sister.
The lyrics wisely highlight:
> “Words of contempt cut deeper than you know…”
Indeed, many carry wounds inflicted by such words years, even decades, ago. Those words were not minor. They were instruments of spiritual assault.
### C. Worship and Reconciliation: Leaving Your Gift at the Altar
Lyrics:
> “If you bring your gift to the altar
> And there remember your brother or sister has something against you
> Leave your offering right there
> First go and be reconciled…”
This is one of the most neglected commands of Jesus in the modern church.
Notice:
The burden is on you, the worshiper, to take initiative, even if you believe you are not the main offender. The priority is peace, reconciliation, and spiritual integrity.
Jesus teaches:
1. Worship is not accepted while we knowingly ignore broken relationships.
God is more concerned with our hearts toward one another than with our religious rituals.
2. Reconciliation comes before offering.
God says, “Leave your gift.” That means:
3. Then return and offer your gift.
Reconciliation enhances worship; it does not replace it. But worship without reconciliation is hypocrisy.
This confronts us with questions:
The lyrics reflect Jesus’ order:
> “First go and be reconciled
> Come back and offer your gift after peace is made…”
That is the divine pattern.
### D. “Settle Matters Quickly”: The Urgency of Dealing with Anger
Lyrics:
> “Settle matters quickly with the one who accuses you…”
Matthew 5:25:
> “Settle matters quickly with your adversary…”
Anger, if not dealt with immediately, hardens into bitterness. Bitterness is anger that has aged. It is spiritual poison.
Hebrews 12:15:
> “…that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”
Two key words in Jesus’ command:
Delay gives place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Many legalistic battles, church splits, divorces, and lifelong estrangements could have been avoided if two believers had obeyed this one command: “Settle matters quickly.”
### E. Guarding the Heart: Anger as Poison
Lyrics:
> “Don’t let anger burn inside and poison your heart…”
This reflects a profound spiritual reality.
Anger that is harbored:
Proverbs 4:23:
> “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
When anger burns within, the heart becomes defiled. Out of that defiled heart come:
Jesus said in Matthew 15:19:
> “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Murder is in that list. It begins in the heart long before it reaches the hand.
### F. Wisdom from Proverbs: Soft Answers and Stirred Anger
Lyrics:
> “A gentle answer turns away wrath
> But harsh words stir up anger in the end…”
This is a direct reference to Proverbs 15:1:
> “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
The kingdom way is not merely “not to explode.” It is to respond to provocation with gentleness. That is a mark of spiritual maturity.
The flesh says:
The Spirit leads us another way:
> “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing…”
This is not humanly possible in our own strength. It requires the Holy Spirit. The lyrics testify to this:
> “In Him we find power to break anger’s chain
> And live in the freedom of peace once again…”
The power is not in self-control alone. It is in union with Christ, in the indwelling Holy Spirit, and in obedience to the Word.
### G. From External Law to Internal Transformation
Lyrics:
> “The old law touched the hands, but Jesus searches the heart
> Outward obedience isn’t enough anymore
> He calls us higher—to love like He loves…”
This captures the essence of the New Covenant.
Jeremiah 31:33:
> “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.”
Under the Old Covenant, the law stood outside the people, written on stone. Under the New Covenant, the law is written on the heart by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5:
> “…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit…”
Anger is replaced by love, not simply by willpower, but by an inward work of God.
Jesus calls us “higher”:
True righteousness, as the lyrics affirm:
> “goes beyond the rules we keep
> It changes the heart where anger used to sleep…”
That is the work of sanctification. The Holy Spirit exposes anger and uproots it, so that the fruit of the Spirit—especially love, peace, patience, kindness—can grow (Galatians 5:22–23).
### H. Mercy Received, Mercy Given
Lyrics:
> “Reconcile fast, forgive from deep within
> For in showing mercy, mercy we win…”
This echoes Jesus’ own teaching:
> “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
> “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
> But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Unforgiveness keeps us in spiritual prison. Mercy releases us.
When we forgive:
Jesus’ parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21–35) shows what happens to those who refuse to forgive: they are handed over to the tormentors.
So, in showing mercy, we “win” mercy. The measure we use will be measured back to us (Matthew 7:2).
Freedom from anger is not gained by a single emotional experience. It is the fruit of consistent obedience to clear steps given in Scripture. Here are four practical steps, each with a proclamation.
### Step 1: Acknowledge Anger as Sin (When It Is Cherished)
First, we must stop excusing, minimizing, or justifying our anger. Righteous anger exists, but most of our anger is not righteous. It is wounded pride, self-pity, or fear.
Proclamation:
### Step 2: Bring Anger into the Light of the Cross
Second, we must bring our anger, bitterness, and hateful thoughts to the Cross. There they must die.
Galatians 2:20:
> “I have been crucified with Christ…”
Proclamation:
This is not theory. Speak it by faith. The Holy Spirit will work where the Cross is honored.
### Step 3: Choose to Forgive and Release
Third, we must forgive those who have wronged us. Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a decision of the will in obedience to God.
Practical steps:
Proclamation:
Forgiveness does not say the wrong was right. It says: “I give up my right to punish. I place this in God’s hands.”
### Step 4: Pursue Reconciliation and Guard Your Tongue
Fourth, we must obey Jesus in relationship:
Practical actions:
Proclamation:
As we do this consistently, anger loses its grip. The Holy Spirit strengthens new patterns of response. The life of Christ is formed within us.
### Proclamation of Freedom from Anger
Say this aloud, thoughtfully, in the presence of God:
“I affirm that Jesus Christ is my Lord. I submit my heart, my thoughts, my emotions, and my tongue to His authority. The Word of God declares that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister is in danger of judgment. I renounce cherished anger, bitterness, hatred, and contempt.
I bring all anger to the Cross of Jesus. I declare that I have been crucified with Christ. The old, angry person I used to be has died with Him. I choose to forgive all who have wronged me. I release them from my judgment and bless them in Jesus’ name.
I will not let the sun go down on my anger. I will not give place to the devil. I choose gentle answers instead of harsh words. I choose reconciliation instead of resentment.
The love of God has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit. I receive that love now. I declare that the peace of Christ rules in my heart. In Him, I am free from anger’s chain. I will walk in the freedom of peace, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.”
### Prayer
“Lord Jesus Christ, You are the One who spoke these words in Matthew 5. You search the heart and test the mind. You see every hidden resentment, every unspoken hatred, every contemptuous thought.
I bring my heart to You. I ask You, by the Holy Spirit, to shine Your light into every dark corner—every wound, every offense, every root of bitterness. Expose what I have justified. Convict me where I have been wrong. Grant me the grace to repent sincerely.
I ask You now to break the power of anger over my life. Where anger has opened the door to the enemy, I ask You to close that door by Your blood. Cleanse my heart. Purify my motives. Transform my reactions.
Fill me with Your love. Let the fruit of the Spirit—love, peace, patience, kindness, self-control—grow strong within me. Make my tongue an instrument of blessing and healing.
Give me courage to seek reconciliation where I need to. Guide me to the right people, at the right time, with the right words. Let my relationships be brought under the rule of Your kingdom.
I thank You for the promise of Your Word: that whom the Son sets free is truly free. I receive freedom from anger, by faith, in Your name. Amen.”
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