Do not be angry with your brother

When we get angry with a brother, we may even offend him. In the case of a brother who offends us, what should we do? We must call him with a spirit, humility and meekness.

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

Matthew 5:21

To introduce the topic of anger, Jesus mentions that in antiquity anyone who committed murder would be guilty of judgment. But later it teaches us that we can bring judgment without actually committing homicide:

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell

Matthew 5:22

Let’s not act like the ungodly, who only looks for ways to offend their brothers and seek every day to hurt all those around them. That is why it is good that we do not offend our brothers, and if we see that from them come words that are not pleasant before God, let’s find a way to correct their form of expression, with love, and humility.

Jesus teaches us that anger is not a small or insignificant matter; it is a heart issue that reveals the true condition of our soul. While the world excuses anger and even justifies harsh words, Christ calls us to a higher standard. His words remind us that sin begins long before any outward action occurs. It begins in the heart, with resentment, bitterness, pride, and uncontrolled emotions. This is why Jesus equates unjustified anger with the seriousness of murder—not because the consequences are the same, but because both actions flow from a poisoned heart. A believer cannot afford to let anger dominate their spirit, for anger left unchecked destroys relationships, damages testimonies, and distances us from God. The Lord desires purity not only in our actions but also in our attitudes.

Reconciliation, therefore, becomes an essential part of Christian living. Jesus commanded that if we remember a brother has something against us, we must go and make things right before continuing in worship. This shows how important relationships are to God. Broken fellowship with others affects our fellowship with Him. Approaching a brother with humility, listening with compassion, and seeking peace reflects the character of Christ. Restoring unity is not a sign of weakness, but of spiritual maturity. It takes far more strength to apologize than to argue, far more grace to forgive than to remain offended. When we act with gentleness, we reflect the One who forgave us when we did not deserve it. True discipleship is seen not only in our prayers and songs but in how we treat those around us.

A heart ruled by Christ chooses patience over irritation, mercy over retaliation, and love over pride. If we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our reactions, He will produce the fruit of self-control in us. Before speaking, we will pause. Before judging, we will consider. Before hurting, we will remember how much God has forgiven us. The church becomes stronger when believers walk in unity, choose reconciliation, and deal with disagreements in a godly manner. Let us remember that our words carry weight—they can heal or destroy, lift up or tear down. May we choose to use our words to build, to restore, and to glorify God. In doing so, we show the world the beauty of Christ living in us.