If God really did design the world we live in, he would probably know the best way to live in it! His standards are not about removing the fun from our lives, but rather helping us live as well as possible.
Jesus’ most famous talk is recorded in Matthew 5-7. Click on the button below to see some of the unexpected ways Jesus spoke to subjects like anger, lust and how to respond to people who hurt you.
It’s important to know that Jesus is not saying that all anger is wrong, or all sexual desire is bad. Not at all! Yet he is challenging our hearts, showing us how destructive things like contempt, lust and retaliation really are.
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”
“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at [someone] with lust has already committed adultery with [them] in [their] heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”