“the cure for conflict” religion vs. spirituality” – p.3 matthew 5:21-32

““The Cure for Conflict”The Cure for Conflict”

Religion vs. Spirituality” – p.3Religion vs. Spirituality” – p.3

Matthew 5:21-32Matthew 5:21-32

Matthew 5:20Matthew 5:20

““unless your righteousness surpasses unless your righteousness surpasses

that of the Pharisees and the teachers that of the Pharisees and the teachers

of the law, you will certainly not enter of the law, you will certainly not enter

the kingdom of heaven”the kingdom of heaven”. .

All People Matter:All People Matter:

The Scripture – (v.21) The Scripture – (v.21) "You have heard "You have heard

that it was said to the people long ago, that it was said to the people long ago,

'Do not murder, and anyone who 'Do not murder, and anyone who

murders will be subject to judgment.'murders will be subject to judgment.'


• Exodus 20:13 simply says: “Exodus 20:13 simply says: “Do not Do not

murdermurder” - Exodus 20:13” - Exodus 20:13

• ““If anyone takes the life of a human If anyone takes the life of a human

being he must be put to death.” - being he must be put to death.” -

Leviticus 24:17 Leviticus 24:17


• Murder = “Murder = “intentionallyintentionally taking another’s taking another’s

life, life,


• The Spirit – (v.22) The Spirit – (v.22) But I tell you that But I tell you that

anyone who is angry with his brother anyone who is angry with his brother

will be subject to judgment. Again, will be subject to judgment. Again,

anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,'

is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But

anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in

danger of the fire of hell. danger of the fire of hell.


• The word raca means The word raca means emptyempty--headedheaded..

• Anger is an Anger is an emotionemotion that can not be that can not be

denieddenied..

AdulteryAdultery

• The Scripture (v.27) The Scripture (v.27) "You have heard "You have heard

that it was said, 'Do not commit that it was said, 'Do not commit

adultery.'adultery.'

• Adultery means “Adultery means “marriagemarriage breakerbreaker” but ” but

could be expanded to mean “could be expanded to mean “covenantcovenant

breakerbreaker” ”

AdulteryAdultery

• The Spirit (v.28) The Spirit (v.28) But I tell you that But I tell you that

anyone who looks at a woman lustfully anyone who looks at a woman lustfully

has already committed adultery with has already committed adultery with

her in his heart.her in his heart.

• Lust is an Lust is an insatiableinsatiable desire for more. desire for more.

AdulteryAdultery

• To lust is to To lust is to wantwant what you don’t have what you don’t have

and weren’t and weren’t meantmeant to have. to have. – Josh – Josh

Harris, Harris, Sex is not the Problem (lust is)Sex is not the Problem (lust is)

AdulteryAdultery

• Limited to the Limited to the mindmind

• but each one is tempted when, by his but each one is tempted when, by his

own evil desire, he is dragged away own evil desire, he is dragged away

and enticed. Then, after desire has and enticed. Then, after desire has

conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,

when it is full-grown, gives birth to when it is full-grown, gives birth to

death. - death. - James 1:14-15 (NIV)James 1:14-15 (NIV)

AdulteryAdultery

• IsolatedIsolated from from

others others

AdulteryAdultery

• Pursued in Pursued in moderationmoderation it is safe it is safe

Put to death, therefore, whatever Put to death, therefore, whatever

belongs to your earthly nature: sexual belongs to your earthly nature: sexual

immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires

and greed, which is idolatry. Because and greed, which is idolatry. Because

of these, the wrath of God is coming. - of these, the wrath of God is coming. -

Colossians 3:5-6 (NIV)Colossians 3:5-6 (NIV)

AdulteryAdultery

• Pursued in Pursued in moderationmoderation it is safe it is safe

• But among you there must not be even But among you there must not be even

a hint of sexual immorality, or of any a hint of sexual immorality, or of any

kind of impurity, or of greed, because kind of impurity, or of greed, because

these are improper for God's holy these are improper for God's holy

people. - people. - Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)

DivorceDivorce

• The Scripture (v.31) - The Scripture (v.31) - "It has been said, "It has been said,

'Anyone who divorces his wife must 'Anyone who divorces his wife must

give her a certificate of divorce.'give her a certificate of divorce.'

DivorceDivorce

• If a man marries a woman who If a man marries a woman who

becomes displeasing to him because becomes displeasing to him because

he finds something indecent about her, he finds something indecent about her,

and he writes her a certificate of and he writes her a certificate of

divorce…divorce…Deut. 24:1Deut. 24:1

• The Biblical command to grant a The Biblical command to grant a

certificatecertificate of of divorcedivorce was not a was not a

commandcommand to to divorcedivorce, ,

DivorceDivorce

• The Spirit (v.32) The Spirit (v.32) But I tell you that But I tell you that

anyone who divorces his wife, except anyone who divorces his wife, except

for marital unfaithfulness, causes her for marital unfaithfulness, causes her

to become an adulteress, and anyone to become an adulteress, and anyone

who marries the divorced woman who marries the divorced woman

commits adultery.commits adultery.

DivorceDivorce

• ““Marital unfaithfulness” is Marital unfaithfulness” is ongoingongoing

““sinfulsinful activity that activity that intentionallyintentionally divides divides

the marital relationship” (Wilkins, 247).the marital relationship” (Wilkins, 247).

Bottom Line:Bottom Line:

• Jesus centered people seek and apply Jesus centered people seek and apply

the the heartheart intention of God’s instruction intention of God’s instruction

not merely the not merely the letterletter of it. of it.

All People MatterAll People Matter

• Principle: It is our responsibility to treat Principle: It is our responsibility to treat

people as if they people as if they mattermatter to to GodGod. (vv.23-. (vv.23-

24)24)


• Keep Keep shortshort accountsaccounts (vv.23-24) (vv.23-24)

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift "Therefore, if you are offering your gift

at the altar and there remember that at the altar and there remember that

your brother has something against your brother has something against

you, leave your gift there in front of the you, leave your gift there in front of the

altar. First go and be reconciled to your altar. First go and be reconciled to your

brother; then come and offer your gift. brother; then come and offer your gift.


• Settle relationship matters Settle relationship matters quicklyquickly. (vv.25-26). (vv.25-26)

"Settle matters quickly with your adversary "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last will not get out until you have paid the last penny.penny.

• Don’t Don’t defenddefend yourself. yourself.


• Don’t Don’t defenddefend yourself. yourself.

Adultery Principle:Adultery Principle:

• Jesus expects us to live in Jesus expects us to live in sexualsexual

responsibilityresponsibility. .


• Practice the Practice the lawlaw of of limitslimits (vv. 29-30) (vv. 29-30)

If your right eye causes you to sin, If your right eye causes you to sin,

gouge it out and throw it away. It is gouge it out and throw it away. It is

better for you to lose one part of your better for you to lose one part of your

body than for your whole body to be body than for your whole body to be

thrown into hell. thrown into hell.


• Practice the Practice the lawlaw of of limitslimits (vv. 29-30) (vv. 29-30)

And if your right hand causes you to And if your right hand causes you to

sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is

better for you to lose one part of your better for you to lose one part of your

body than for your whole body to go body than for your whole body to go

into hell.into hell.


• Lust is a matter of the Lust is a matter of the heartheart not the not the

eyes or the hand.eyes or the hand.

DivorceDivorce

• Principle: Jesus sees the marriage Principle: Jesus sees the marriage

relationship as relationship as permanentpermanent..

But I tell you that anyone who divorces But I tell you that anyone who divorces

his wife, except for marital his wife, except for marital

unfaithfulness, causes her to become unfaithfulness, causes her to become

an adulteress, and anyone who marries an adulteress, and anyone who marries

the divorced woman commits adultery.the divorced woman commits adultery.

DivorceDivorce

• When and if considering a divorce, be When and if considering a divorce, be

sure to sure to consultconsult the the BibleBible..

• Remember that God Remember that God acceptsaccepts repentantrepentant

people (1 Cor. 7:20-24).people (1 Cor. 7:20-24).

• ““the way of the unfaithful is hard”the way of the unfaithful is hard”, - , -

Prov. 13:15Prov. 13:15

“the cure for conflict” religion vs. spirituality” – p.3 matthew 5:21-32

Documents

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adulterythe scripture

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certificate of divorcedeut