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“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.”
(Matthew 5:21–22a, NIV)
Here we have the voice of the Son of God Himself correcting and completing the understanding of God’s own law. He takes us beyond the outward act of murder to the inward condition of the heart—anger, contempt, broken relationships, unresolved offenses. The song “Beyond Anger and Judgment” is essentially an exposition of this passage in the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:21–26.
The central theme is this:
God does not only judge what we do with our hands; He judges what we harbor in our hearts and what we speak with our mouths. Murder begins long before a weapon is raised. It begins in anger, in contempt, in broken fellowship that we refuse to heal.
This is a message about:
“Let us look at what the Word of God says.”
Matthew 5 is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is speaking primarily to His disciples, with the crowds listening in (Matthew 5:1–2). Israel at this time is under Roman occupation, but spiritually under the authority of the scribes and Pharisees—the religious teachers of the law.
They revered the Ten Commandments, especially commands like “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). The common Jewish teaching was: as long as you have not actually killed someone, you have not broken this commandment in a way that brings you under legal judgment.
Jesus introduces each section with the phrase:
> “You have heard that it was said…” (Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43)
This does not mean the Old Testament was wrong. It means that the prevailing interpretation was shallow and external. The scribes and Pharisees focused on outward behavior regulated by human courts. Jesus now reveals God’s original intention: the law was always aimed at the heart.
In Matthew 5:20 Jesus sets the standard:
> “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.”
From verse 21 onward, He explains what this “surpassing righteousness” looks like:
The specific passage we are dealing with:
In Jesus’ day, “bringing your gift to the altar” refers to temple worship in Jerusalem. It was the highest, holiest act of religious devotion. Most people listening likely could not go often to Jerusalem; it was a serious journey. Yet Jesus says: even in the middle of that sacred act, if you remember a broken relationship, stop. Go and be reconciled first.
He is shifting the focus from ritual to relationship, from sacrifice on an altar to the state of the heart.
### 1) “Angry” – ὀργίζομαι (orgizomai)
In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says:
> “But I tell you that anyone who is angry (*orgizomenos*) with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
The verb ὀργίζομαι (orgizomai) comes from ὀργή (orgē), which means a settled, abiding anger, often including indignation and a desire for retribution. This is not a fleeting feeling, but anger that is allowed to lodge, to stay.
The New Testament recognizes that humans will experience anger (Ephesians 4:26: “Be angry and do not sin”). But when anger is nursed, justified, and held, it becomes a spiritual condition. It opens the door to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).
The nuance:
When the lyrics say:
> “Don’t let anger burn inside and poison your heart”
They are capturing exactly this New Testament concept. Anger becomes poisonous when it is retained.
### 2) “You fool” – ῥακά (raka) and μωρέ (moros)
Some manuscripts of Matthew 5:22 read:
> “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!’ (*moré*) will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Two key words:
The song summarizes this as:
> “And anyone who says ‘You fool’ in contempt
> Is in danger of the fire of hell”
The key word here is contempt. Jesus is not banning all evaluation of behavior (He Himself calls some “fools” in the sense of spiritual blindness—Luke 24:25). But He is condemning contemptuous, demeaning speech that writes off a person’s value before God.
So:
This deepens the lyrics’ force:
Let us look at the themes of the lyrics and see how Scripture interprets Scripture.
### A) Beyond the Act: Anger as Heart-Murder
Lyrics:
> “You have heard it said long ago
> ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will face judgment’
> But I tell you something deeper now
> Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister
> Will stand before the court
> And anyone who says ‘You fool’ in contempt
> Is in danger of the fire of hell”
This echoes precisely Matthew 5:21–22.
Jesus is exposing the root behind the fruit:
1 John 3:15 states it more explicitly:
> “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer,
> and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
Hate is murder in embryo. It may never express itself in physical violence, but spiritually, it is the same kind of sin. Hell is not just for those who have physically killed; it is for those who live in hatred and contempt, refusing to repent.
This shows us:
### B) The Priority of Reconciliation Over Worship
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
> Come back and offer your gift after peace is made
> Settle matters quickly with the one who accuses you”
This is Matthew 5:23–25 almost verbatim.
Notice the order:
1. Worshiper comes with a gift to the altar.
2. In that holy moment, he remembers a broken relationship.
3. Jesus commands: Stop the religious act.
4. Go. Be reconciled.
5. Then return and offer your gift.
This is extremely radical. Jesus is saying:
Compare with 1 John 4:20:
> “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.
> For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,
> cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
God measures our love for Him by our love for those we can see.
Also, Mark 11:25:
> “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them,
> so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
The song highlights the same principle:
### C) The Poison of Anger and the Power of Words
Lyrics:
> “Don’t let anger burn inside and poison your heart
> Words of contempt cut deeper than you know
> Guard your thoughts, forgive before the sun goes down
> Let love cover over wrongs, let mercy flow
> A gentle answer turns away wrath
> But harsh words stir up anger in the end”
Here we have a beautiful weaving of New Testament and Old Testament truth.
1. “Don’t let anger burn inside and poison your heart”
Ephesians 4:26–27:
> “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
> and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Unresolved anger:
2. “Guard your thoughts, forgive before the sun goes down”
Again, this is Ephesians 4:26. Our time limit for anger is sunset. If we carry anger into the next day, we are disobeying a direct command and giving Satan territory in our inner life.
3. “Let love cover over wrongs, let mercy flow”
1 Peter 4:8:
> “Above all, love each other deeply,
> because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 10:12:
> “Hatred stirs up conflict,
> but love covers over all wrongs.”
Love does not deny that wrongs happened; it covers them in mercy.
4. **“A gentle answer turns away wrath
But harsh words stir up anger in the end”**
That is a direct quotation of Proverbs 15:1:
> “A gentle answer turns away wrath,
> but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Harsh words:
Jesus’ warning about “You fool” is precisely about “harsh words.” They stir up anger, deepen division, and bring us under God’s judgment.
### D) The New Covenant Standard: Heart-Righteousness
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
> Quick to forgive, slow to speak, full of grace
> In Him we find power to break anger’s chain
> And live in the freedom of peace once again”
This summarizes the entire movement from Old Covenant to New Covenant.
1. “The old law touched the hands, but Jesus searches the heart”
The Law could regulate behavior. It could define sin. But it could not change the heart. Romans 8:3:
> “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,
> God did by sending his own Son…”
Jesus, through the New Covenant, writes the law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10).
2. “Outward obedience isn’t enough anymore”
Outward obedience was never truly “enough” in God’s sight, but now it is explicitly exposed. Matthew 23:27–28:
> “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!
> You are like whitewashed tombs… on the outside you appear to people as righteous
> but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
3. “He calls us higher—to love like He loves”
John 13:34:
> “A new command I give you: Love one another.
> As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
He is not just the lawgiver; He is the pattern.
4. “Quick to forgive, slow to speak, full of grace”
James 1:19:
> “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Colossians 3:13:
> “Bear with each other and forgive one another…
> Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
John 1:14 – Jesus is “full of grace and truth.”
5. “In Him we find power to break anger’s chain”
Romans 6:14:
> “For sin shall no longer be your master,
> because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
We do not overcome anger by self-effort alone, but by union with Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the power of the cross.
### E) True Righteousness and Mercy
Lyrics:
> “True righteousness goes beyond the rules we keep
> It changes the heart where anger used to sleep
> Reconcile fast, forgive from deep within
> For in showing mercy, mercy we win”
“True righteousness” is exactly what Jesus is teaching in Matthew 5–7:
A righteousness that starts in the heart, expressed in relationships, and empowered by grace.
1. “Reconcile fast” – Matthew 5:25:
> “Settle matters quickly with your adversary…”
Delayed reconciliation is disobedience. It gives room for bitterness to grow.
2. “Forgive from deep within”
Matthew 18:35:
> “…unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Forgiveness is not mere words. It is an inward releasing.
3. “For in showing mercy, mercy we win”
Matthew 5:7:
> “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
James 2:13:
> “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.
> Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
The measure we use is measured back to us (Matthew 7:2).
If we show mercy, mercy will be shown to us. If we insist on holding offenses, we shut ourselves off from the mercy we so desperately need.
Now we move from doctrine to practice. How do we go beyond anger and judgment in daily life?
### Step 1: Acknowledge Anger as Serious Sin, Not a Small Weakness
First, we must accept Jesus’ standard.
Anger and contempt are not “normal personality traits” to excuse, but heart-conditions Jesus warns can bring us under judgment and even the danger of hell.
Action:
Proclamation:
### Step 2: Close the Door to the Devil by Resolving Anger Quickly
Second, we must obey Ephesians 4:26–27.
> “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
> and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Unresolved anger is a landing platform for demonic influence. Many believers are bound in bitterness, torment, and oppression because they have allowed anger to stay.
Action:
Proclamation:
### Step 3: Pursue Reconciliation as a Priority, Even Above Religious Activity
Third, we must obey Matthew 5:23–24.
> “First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Action:
1. Ask the Lord: “Is there anyone who has something against me?” (Not just people I am offended with, but those who feel wronged by me.)
2. Where possible:
Notice, the command is not “if you feel like it,” but “first go.” It is a priority.
Proclamation:
### Step 4: Replace Contempt and Harsh Words with Blessing and Gentle Speech
Fourth, we must change our speech. Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Jesus warns that contemptuous words are liable to judgment.
Action:
Proclamation:
### Proclamation (Say this aloud, deliberately)
**“In the name of Jesus, I submit to the authority of God’s Word.
Your Word says, ‘You shall not murder,’ and Jesus says that anger, hatred, and contempt are the roots of murder in the heart.
Therefore, I renounce all anger, bitterness, resentment, and contempt toward every person.
I refuse to let anger poison my heart or give the devil a foothold in my life.
I choose to forgive, from my heart, all who have wronged me, just as God in Christ has forgiven me.
Where I have wronged others, I commit to seek reconciliation quickly, as far as it depends on me.
I declare that my worship will be joined to a clean heart and reconciled relationships.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, my tongue will speak blessing, not cursing; gentle answers, not harsh words.
The love of God is poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit,
and in that love, anger’s chain is broken.
I choose to walk in mercy, and I receive mercy.
I choose to walk in peace, and I receive the peace of Christ to rule in my heart.
This I confess, and this I receive, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.”**
### Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the One who searches the hearts and minds. You have shown us that God’s standard reaches beyond outward acts to the inner life of the heart. I bring to You every trace of anger, bitterness, and contempt in my heart. I confess them as sin. I ask You to cleanse me by Your blood from all unrighteousness.
Holy Spirit, shine Your light into my relationships. Bring to my mind anyone I need to forgive, and anyone with whom I need to seek reconciliation. Give me humility to repent where I have been wrong, courage to take the first step, and wisdom to speak with gentleness and truth.
Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You break every chain of anger, hatred, and unforgiveness in my life and in my family line. Let the power of the cross cut off every generational pattern of wrath and violence. Fill me afresh with Your love, that love which covers a multitude of sins.
Set a guard, Lord, over my mouth. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Let my life display the righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees—a righteousness of the heart, produced by Your Spirit.
I receive Your mercy, and I choose to show mercy. I receive Your peace, and I choose to be a peacemaker. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Lord, and my Judge. Amen.
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