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Sermon on the Mount: Attitudes To Remember: What we think is as important as what we do
Vocabulary - Love: Putting someone else first
- Diligence: dedication, continuous and responsible effort
Lesson - Matt 5:21-22
Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount about our thoughts and attitudes. The Jews knew it was wrong to kill someone, but they didn't think it was wrong to be angry with another. Matt 5:21-22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. In this lesson, Jesus taught them that not only were their words and action regulated by law, but their thoughts were also. He taught that holding a grudge or wishing someone harm was just as bad as hurting them. This is because what we think inspires what we do. Matt 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: Gen 6:5 says God destroyed the earth in the flood because every thought the people had was evil. But how can we control what we think? Sometimes, anger, jealousy, envy, etc come to our hearts unbidden. What we must do is recognize them and force ourselves to think differently. When we are mad, we must think calmly. When we are jealous, we must put ourselves in their shoes. We cannot nurse a grudge, or we will be punished ourselves.
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