In the first twelve verses of this chapter we find blessing in the Beatitudes, and now, from verse 21 until the end of chapter 5, we can find the cursing.

Jesus is speaking out against false righteousness, the kind that says, "I'm a good person because I don't break the ten commandments".

For the rest of this chapter, Jesus is going to teach us the Spirit behind the ten commandments, and show us that even if you think you're keeping the commandments, you probably aren't.

Matthew 5:21-22

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:

and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: (sunedrion - the Sanhedrin)

but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

How many times have you been upset at somebody, and then come to find out later that person had nothing to do with it?

Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Whenever we get angry, it's best not to trust that feeling at first, because sometimes we come to find out later there was no reason for it. Our emotions lie to us, our perception lies to us, people lie to us, and we make false assumptions that cause hurt and anger to fester inside us. This is silly and dangerous all at the same time. If I break the commandment "Thou shalt not kill", I have committed an outward act indeed, but it's only a manifestation of anger and hatred on my inside. Jesus is teaching against the traditions of the scribes and Pharisees, and anyone else who thinks an outward appearance of righteousness is something special. Woe to the hypocrites, and woe to the lazy! I'm lazy when I only look at the outward breaking of a commandment as sin, but fail to consider the sinful condition of the heart behind it. Even though men may not hold me responsible if I say to myself, "I wish he/she was dead", I'm not off the hook with God because He knows the thoughts and intentions of my heart.

Every commandment has this same dynamic quality; there's a Spirit behind the basic words that, if we just stop being lazy about it, the Spirit will show us the huge difference between what we think it means to be good, and what God is saying it actually means. To me, this is the cursing in this chapter; the cursing of our thoughts and intentions being judged by the One who actually sees them.

Leviticus 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Not only are we supposed to refrain from bearing grudges or anger in our hearts, but we're probably also guilty of hating our neighbor if we allow him to sin without rebuking him.

How do I rebuke him?

Should I walk the streets wearing a sandwich board, crying "Repent"? I'm not sure how focused and effective that is.

Should I point out every manifestation of sin in my neighbor? I'm not sure that's what it means to be a good neighbor.

Should I make sure the 2x4 is pulled from my own eye, seek to be in constant communion with my Lord Jesus, saying, "Here am I, Lord", and allow Him to order my steps?

Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

LORD, let us not be lazy in hearing your word. Let us not rely on the interpretations of others. Set our hearts to know and love your word today, tomorrow, and throughout the week.

Let our thoughts be Yours, our words be Yours, and our actions be Yours.