The MountSample

Verses: Matthew 5:21-26

Title: The Heart of the Matter, Part 1

Today you will learn: How hatred will destroy our relationships.

If you have a brother or sister, you probably fight with them in some way. I have a few brothers, and when we were younger we fought, a lot. Since I’m the youngest brother, I almost always lost!

One day, it all changed for me. We were playing paintball on a cold and dark night. My oldest brother was hiding behind a bunker and didn’t hear me coming behind him with all the cover fire. He had no idea I was there! I could’ve yelled ‘bunker’ (he would’ve been out without being shot), but I chose not to do that. I was a few feet away from him when I shot him in the back. (If you don’t know: when you get shot with a paintball in the cold, it hurts a lot more than normal!) He yelled in pain… and I yelled ‘victory!’

As funny as sibling rivalries can be, in life there are many people that we get so mad at we begin to hate them. Eventually, we could lose a friendship that should have never been lost. Jesus says in Matthew 5, ‘anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment’. In God’s eyes, it’s no different than murdering them! Hating someone is wishing them the worst. If you’re holding hatred towards another, you need to do everything you can to put a stop to it. Pray for your heart to change, pray for peace between you and them, and start working toward loving them once more. Even if they don’t change their ways, make a point to change yours. Who knows? One day, you might lead them to know Jesus (or keep a believer from falling away)!

Are you holding hatred toward another person? It happens all too often! If this is the case, think of that person and why you’re angry at them. Start praying for a change in your heart. Remember the 7th Beatitude: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’. Make peace with your enemy; they should be your friend, one you can call brother or sister!

Summit Prayer: Lord, help me to realize if I’m holding anger toward anyone. If I am, help me to make peace with them. Help me to love unconditionally, as you do for me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.