Emotions
Is it the action or the emotion that is the problem?
“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder' and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. - Matt. 5:21-26
I remember as a child my mother telling me that I should never go to bed angry.
It was actually advice for my sister as well, since we were the ones most likely to have cause to be angry, with each other.
A lot happens when you get older and years distance us from those petty arguments and flair-ups of our youth, and I think that is the point here.
In the heat of the moment, we tend to say and do things we would have a hard time believing we were capable of with a level head.
If we could find a way to distance ourselves from the trigger of our emotions when it happens, how cool would that be?
We could diffuse a situation before it escalates.
It is probably something we can only do for ourselves, though. Trying to calm a mob or talk down a person with a gun takes greater skill.
Jesus knew his words would be hard to accept. We tend to let our emotions take hold of us too easily.
But He also knew we could do something about it ourselves, for ourselves.
Maybe if each of us could find a way to control our own emotions, the flair ups and tragedies could be avoided.
It might be worth a shot.
More to come...