(The following is the January 5 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 5 and pay close attention to verses 21-30.)

If you ask a random individual, “Do you think you are a good person?” most will respond affirmatively. We eagerly compare ourselves favorably with those who do things we would not. So compared to the murderer, adulterer, thief, etc., we may feel good about ourselves. We might also think this way regarding the Ten Commandments. Even though we admit to breaking some, we may think, “at least I haven’t murdered anyone,” or “at least I haven’t committed adultery.” Then, when we delude ourselves into thinking we are beacons of righteousness, Jesus comes along in the Sermon on the Mount and talks about the condition of our hearts – not just our outward actions.

When we think we are better than others because we’ve never murdered anyone, Jesus says, “Everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment” (v. 22). John wrote, “Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him” (1 John 3:15). The sixth commandment isn’t just about the terrible act of murder; it’s about the hate and anger in one’s heart that can lead to the action. As C. H. Spurgeon said, “The law of God is spiritual; it touches the emotions, the thoughts, the desires, as well as the words and actions of men. If I desire ill for someone, I have within me what would desire his death.” *

Do we consider ourselves loyal to our spouse because we haven’t committed adultery? Jesus extends the seventh commandment to say, “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (v. 28). The act of adultery is terrible, but so are the sinful thoughts and hearts that lead to the possible action.

God pierces our prideful hearts through his Word, which we need as he changes us from the inside out.

Next Step:
Who have you felt anger toward recently? Pray for that person every day for a week. It’s nearly impossible to stay angry at those for whom we pray regularly.

____________________

* CSB Spurgeon Study Bible, ed. Alistair Begg (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1288.