Matthew 5:21-37

Jesus' teaching about murder, adultery and swearing Matthew 5:21-37: In Matthew 5:21-26 we learn that the thought of hatred produces the act of murder. Therefore, the thought is the act in the heart. Right actions grow out of right thinking. Attitudes can be just as wrong as actions. (Matthew 5:27-30) Lust is adultery in the heart. Our hearts must be brought into submission to Christ. Wrong thoughts are just as evil as the wrong act. That is why Christians must "bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Attitudes also affect marriage relationships. (Matthew 5:31-32) Divorce for any reason except sexual immorality leads to or causes adultery. Right attitudes build good marriages. Today instead of respecting God's law of marriage and divorce many in the church accept divorce and remarriage upon the most foolish and frivolous pretenses. Did Jesus mean what He said? "But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." (Matthew 5:32)

Our attitudes also affect our words. (Matthew 5:33-37) There will be no swearing from the faithful child of God. You can trust their words completely. Rash swearing, about trivial matters must be avoided by God's children. As Christians we must not forswear ourselves, but we should simply declare that a thing is so.