Q2. Anger and Murder

[Karen11]

On 12/19/2007 at 9:53 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q2. (Matthew 5:21-22) Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder? Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult in God's eyes? How would we act differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder?

It comes from the same place in your heart, anger is the root.

It is that anger comes from the same place as murder, someone who has anger can murder.

As for me, I ask God for forgiveness for being angry at someone, and to move forward and pray to not be angry at no-one. 

[MosesSole]

On 12/19/2007 at 9:53 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q2. (Matthew 5:21-22) Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder? I'm of the mindset that calling someone a fool is not in the same classification as murdering someone.  I can't speak for why Jesus would interpret the law this way other than perhaps he was looking to reinterpret the law itself.  

Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult in God's eyes? Again, I can't speak for how God would interpret this radical approach to the crime of murder but I think that taking a life whether out of anger, greed, fear etc, should be met with harsh and just penalty. When you take someone's life, you're acting with God-like authority and that could even be seen as blasphemous. Notice also how I include several other possible motives for murder-- anger is only one factor which causes man to act out against another. Let's not make excuses for murderers and thieves. 

How would we act differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder? I doubt we would act any differently since anger is a natural emotion of a human being and not able to be repressed. What is controllable is how you react to anger and while calling someone a fool is not a loving reaction, it's certainly better than taking a sword and plunging it into someone's heart.  Some anger is justified-- righteous anger-- as we saw when Jesus knocked over tables when the the temple grounds were being used as a market place. Would he have flipped the table if he thought God would equate this reaction as murder? Hard to say. 

Anger is not always bad, and in some instances, it can bring about a positive result esp when it's directed at evil and wickedness.  

 

[MosesSole]

On 4/12/2010 at 9:16 PM, Prayer1995 said:

 

 

[Irmela]

2.1 Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder?

The motivation behind murder and calling someone a fool, is anger. Both start at the same place. They have the same root. Calling someone names in anger can have devastating, life-long effects. (Basically you are murdering a part of that person).

 

2.2 Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult, in God's eyes?

Yes. In God's eyes sin is sin. Because of sin you fall short of the glory of God. There is no big sin or minor sin. All have the same consequence. 

 

2.3 How would we react differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewef by God as murder?

We would be slower to lash out. We would think first.

[Niyonka16]

Q2. (Matthew 5:21-22) Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder?

ANSWER:  Jesus is talking to his disciples here (Matt 5:1-2) and teaching them how to live on this earth. Jesus reveals that our sin problem is with our hearts and not necessarily with physical acts—i.e. anger without cause is equal to murder; **** is equal to adultery, etc.

Jesus called this man a fool was because he allowed the “within” of his life to be absorbed within the “without” of his life. this man was foolish because the richer he became materially, the poorer he became spiritually and intellectually. he failed to realize his dependence on others He was a fool because he failed to realize that wealth is always a result of the commonwealth. He failed to realize the interdependent structure of reality. This man was a fool because he felt that he was the creator instead of a creature. Now there is nothing new about this foolishness. It is still alive today What does the word "fool" mean in Matthew 5:22? a wicked reprobate man

Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult in God's eyes?

ANSWER: Jesus takes it further by saying that anyone who is angry with his brother or publicly shames someone is also guilty of murder. Sins of the heart, such as angry insults and intentional ****, are worthy of hell just as much as adultery and murder. If murder is the fruit, then anger is the root! Don’t water this down. The Sixth Commandment is not just dealing with plung-ing a dagger into the heart. It’s fundamentally dealing with how we treat people. All of us are murderers at heart. The truth is: There is murder in my mouth today … and in yours!

Given the right circumstances all of us would commit murder. Our hands are not clean because our lips are not clean.We are guilty of the very thing we said we would never do. We Christians tend to be very quick to excuse ourselves. Please understand that the Lord Jesus is not as quick as we are to let us off the hook. If we take Him seriously, then we’ve got to stop making excuses for our hidden anger, our buried resentments and our tongue that is as sharp as a razor.

All of us are murderers when it comes to harboring anger against others! In fact, Jesus shows us three ways to murder without getting a drop of blood on the carpet. Uncontrolled Anger Matthew 5:21-22a [It all starts with anger. Murder would be wiped out if our anger was under control.]; Abusive Speech Matthew 5:22b [No blood! But you’re a murderer in God’s eyes! You’ve killed with your abusive, unkind speech.]; Interpersonal Animosity Matthew 5:23-24 [if you harbor bitterness and resentment in your heart toward someone else.]

How would we act differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder?

ANSWER: It is better to live our lives seeking for peace than to allow anger to boil over and lead to a condemnation that we will have to pay. We would strive to avoid arguments, divisions and problems where we would say things about people to their face or even behind their backs. We would not hold  resentment and anger towards others. We would realize that Jesus wants us to realize the severity of this type of behavior. He exposes the wrong view of murder and helps us to see that even our anger that we hold could lead to more serious issues.

We must not have resentment towards others.  Nor must we allow that anger or resentment to continue to grow?We all can allow God to work in us in such a way that we remove all bitterness, resentment and anger towards all people so that we can share the love and compassion of God with all people even our enemies.

[Lisa Wolf]

Q2. (Matthew 5:21-22) Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder? Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult in God's eyes? How would we act differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder?

God is very possessive of His creation.  He made us. Each one of us is made perfectly and wonderfully. His plan is for our speech to edify one another...angry insult does not do that. (Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29) Physical killing (murder) and disparaging God's creation - killing a person's soul, are equal in His sight. If we actually believed this deeply and remembered God's view I think we would be able to respond in love in all situations.  We need the help of the Holy Spirit.  This reminds me of God's message of this in Psalm 139. The Psalm is beautiful, speaking of God's deep knowing of each of us.  Verses 19-22 Bring up those who hold no reverence for lives He has created.