Stress Test Devotional May 25
May 25, 2024
MATTHEW 5:21-22 | 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment, and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council, and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.
Now passionate advocacy has its dangers! Armed with a just cause we can be unscrupulous in the way we pursue it. Any means at hand can be deployed to ensure the success of our laudable ends. This danger is evident in current public life in America, where there seems to be no boundaries or standard of decency or fairness when it comes to characterizing the character or record of political opponents.
The Sermon on the Mount aimed to equip and empower ordinary disciples for a worldwide rule of divine significance: “you are,” Jesus said, “the light of the world!” the “salt of the earth!” Nothing is more important than representing God’s truth and passion in this world. Yet our righteous passion is off track whenever we find ourselves moving from truth-telling to insulting, from challenging positions to defaming characters. Great passion, to be deployed for God, requires great restraint.
How do you balance means and ends?
Are people’s characters safe in your mouth?
