It really isn’t just about the way we act; it really isn’t just about what we do or don’t do; God looks at the heart.

2. Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to those of
old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever
murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I
say to you that everyone who is angry with
his brother will be liable to judgment;
whoever insults his brother will be liable to
the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’
will be liable to the hell of fire.
www.networkbible.org
ESV, 2016

3. Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother has
something against you, leave your gift there
before the altar and go. First be reconciled
to your brother, and then come and offer
your gift.
www.networkbible.org
ESV, 2016

4. Matthew 5:25-26
Come to terms quickly with your accuser
while you are going with him to court, lest
your accuser hand you over to the judge,
and the judge to the guard, and you be put
in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never
get out until you have paid the last penny.
www.networkbible.org
ESV, 2016

5. Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall
not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that
everyone who looks at a woman with
lustful intent has already committed
adultery with her in his heart.
www.networkbible.org
ESV, 2016

6. Matthew 5:29-30
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it
out and throw it away. For it is better that
you lose one of your members than that
your whole body be thrown into hell. And
if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it
off and throw it away. For it is better that
you lose one of your members than that
your whole body go into hell.
www.networkbible.org
ESV, 2016

8. You’re familiar with the command to the
ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you
that anyone who is so much as angry with
a brother or sister is guilty of murder.
Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you
just might find yourself hauled into court.
Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and
you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple
moral fact is that words kill.

9. This is how I want you to conduct yourself
in these matters. If you enter your place of
worship and, about to make an offering,
you suddenly remember a grudge a friend
has against you, abandon your offering,
leave immediately, go to this friend and
make things right. Then and only then,
come back and work things out with God.

10. Or say you’re out on the street and an old
enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute.
Make the first move; make things right
with him. After all, if you leave the first
move to him, knowing his track record,
you’re likely to end up in court, maybe
even jail. If that happens, you won’t get
out without a stiff fine.

11. You know the next commandment pretty
well, too: ‘Don’t go to bed with another’s
spouse.’ But don’t think you’ve preserved
your virtue simply by staying out of bed.
Your heart can be corrupted by lust even
quicker than your body. Those leering
looks you think nobody notices—they also
corrupt.

12. Let’s not pretend this is easier than it
really is. If you want to live a morally pure
life, here’s what you have to do: You have
to blind your right eye the moment you
catch it in a lustful leer. You have to
choose to live one-eyed or else be
dumped on a moral trash pile. And you
have to chop off your right hand the
moment you notice it raised threateningly.
Better a bloody stump than your entire
being discarded for good in the dump.

13. So what is the difference?
Attitude!

14. Jesus came to fulfill the Law; He fulfilled
the Law by showing its intended meaning

15. Jesus came to fulfill the Law; He fulfilled
the Law by showing its intended meaning
You have heard that it was said…. But I
say to you
Jesus is bringing clarity

16. It is about the attitudes of our heart that
really matter

17. Attitude matters! It changes how we
experience things

18. He is telling us that God is also concerned
about how we actually feel towards
others. God is concerned about our
attitude toward each other

19. Jesus tells us that we need to choose to
forgive

20. Both illustrations illustrate the urgency of
taking the initiative and seeking to be
reconciled

21. Attitudes determine actions, for good or
for bad

22. It really isn’t just about the way we act;
it really isn’t just about what we do or
don’t do; God looks at the heart

23. Please take a moment to fill out your
Communication Card
NEXT STEPS
( ) Do the home life help (in bulletin)
( ) Evaluate where my attitudes need to change
( ) Identify anyone I need to seek reconciliation
with.
( ) Establish steps to take when I need an
attitude check
( ) Meditate on Matthew 5:21-30
( ) Other________________________