Verse of the Day 4/16

Through the Bible - 1 Samuel 20-21, Luke 16:14-31

 

Good morning,

I would think that it would be a safe "bet" that if you are reading this devotional that you are a murderer, that you don't have it in you to do such a thing.

 

As I write this I am Las Vegas to attend a sign show.  I don't gamble because I feel that to "throw money away" in slot machines or gambling tables is "foolish".  Many would call a person who gambles, at least to the extreme of risking great loss to be "a fool".

 

Today's verse comes from Matthew 5 where Jesus, in the early stages of His ministry shocks His hearers with the following words.

 

Matt 5:21 " You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'  22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ' You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.     NASU
or from the NLT

Matt 5:21 "You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

 

We all do foolish things from time to time but that does not mean that we should call anyone a fool.

.Having heard and read these verses from an early age I've been careful from a very legalistic standpoint, not to call someone a fool.  John MacArthur points out that the Greek word that is here translated "fool" is from the same Greek word we get "moron".  The other translations abover also say "idiot". 

 

When I see those other words I realize that I am just as guilty as anyone who has called somebody a "fool".

 

MacArthur also notes that the word for "Raca" translated in the NASU as "good for nothing" "has been variously translated elsewhere as "brainless idiot", "worthless fellow", "blockhead", and the like.  It was a term of malicious abuse and slander that really has no precise modern translation.... The Roman soldiers who tortured and crucified Jesus could well have used the term to mock and disrespect Him."

 

In today's media and society, this kind of talk to tear someone down is done all the time, even children both in the public scene and unfortunately at home.  If we are not careful, we can get caught up in it.

How do you react to someone who has cut you off in traffic?  It reveals hope deeply rooted this is in us, in me.

Let us pray that we can be more careful, more Christlike in how we use words.  May we use them to build up and not tear down.  Do you have some other verses that come to mind?  Think about them as you go about your day today.

 

Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.    NKJV

In Christ,

Mike

 

Matt 5:21-27

Murder Begins in the Heart
(Luke 12:57-59)

21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'  22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother,'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says,'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.  23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,  24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.  26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

NKJV