008 - Matthew 5:21-22 – Why is it so serious to be angry with your brother? (Suggested by Pamelasv)

Matthew 5:21-22 – Why is it so serious to be angry with your brother?

 

Why is it so serious to be angry with your brother when there is no reason? Why is it so serious to call him "raca" or fool? It sounds like such simple cursing.

 

·        “Ye have heard that it was said of 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.” (Matthew 5.21,22).

 

Anyone who is angry with his brother is already putting himself under the judgment of the individuals who surround him. And considering that all are evil (Mt 19.17, Mark 10.18; Lk 18.19), we are submitting ourselves to iniquity, that is to say, we are wanting individuals to stand on our side against their brother, rather than seeking reconciliation (which would be the right).

Anyone who insults your brother (e.g., "you're worthless") is accepting to be tried in court (men's trial). After all, such an individual will be trying to denigrate his image in front of other individuals just to try to look better than he in everyone's eyes. It is not a simple "bickering", but rather trying to move others' opinions against their brother.

The one who calls his brother a fool is inducing him to corrupt his character. Such an individual is not only angry with his brother or just wanting to put others against him. He wants to corrupt his brother permanently, so that this be taked away from heaven. This is what condemns someone to hell.

And for you to see how serious it is to utter insults against your brother, see for example what happened to Moses in the waters of Meribah:

 

·        “They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.” (Psalms 106.32,33).

 

May Jesus free us from being angry with anyone. After all, there is no reason to justify this, since the Eternal loves all and died for them in the person of Christ Jesus.