What Jesus Says About Sin

Matthew 5:19 - "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."

ANGER
Matthew 5:21-22 - "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Anger is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. Jesus said that we will be held accountable even for our attitudes.

LUST
Matthew 5:27-28 - "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Here's a test. If you were to act out a fantasy or desire, would it be against God's will?

DIVORCE
Matthew 5:31-32 - "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." Those who discover that their partner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile and restore their relationship. Look for reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than for excuses to leave it.

VOWS
Matthew 5:33-37 - "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by Heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it it His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' , 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Always be honest.

RETALIATION
Matthew 5:38-39 - "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." In other words, if someone has wronged you, do not seek vengeance, do not get even. You are commanded to love and forgive and this is something that only God can give us the strength to do.

LOVING ENEMIES
Matthew 5:43-45 - "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven."

GIVING TO THE NEEDY
Matthew 6:1-4 - "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing., so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.