"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." Jesus employs shocking hyperbole that would have made His first-centu...  Read More

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." The ancient Greek word for "lured" (exelko) was a fishing term—describing how a fish is drawn out from its safe place by attractive bait. James uses hunting imagery too: "enticed" (deleazo) referred to trapping animals...  Read More

“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.” In first-century Judaism, the religious leaders had mastered the art of external compliance. They could recite the commandments, follow the rituals, and maintain their reputation in the community. Yet Jesus...  Read More

"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." This week we've walked through the deadly progression: bitterness ➡️ wrath ➡️ anger ➡️ clamor ➡️ slander ➡️ malice. It's a dark path that leads to destruction. But Jesus...  Read More

"The Jews answered him, 'Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?'""But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, 'It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.'" We've reached Step 5: Slander. And this one is especially dangerous.Slander is when we start attacking someone's character, not just their actions. It's when we move from "I don...  Read More

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil... Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." We've been walking down a dangerous path: bitterness planted the seed, wrath started the slow burn, anger made us look down on others. Now we hit Step 4: Clamor.Clamor is when we lose ...  Read More

"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." We've moved from bitterness (the seed) to wrath (the slow burn), and now we hit Step 3: Anger.This is where Jesus draws the line in the sand. When He talks about calling someone "Raca,...  Read More

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." You know those conversations you have in your head? The ones where you finally tell that person exactly what you think of them? Where you come up with the perfect comeback three days too late? Where you imagine them getting what they deserve?Welcome to...  Read More

"Bitterness is a feeling of resentment that settles down in your heart when you feel someone has done you wrong."  Read More

"Murder isn't just an action—it's a condition of the heart."  Read More

The danger isn't that we might become irreligious—it's that we might become religiously self-righteous.  Read More

"What you do here sets where you'll stand there."  Read More