Contempt, says our Lord, is murder in the heart, and the death penalty is equally deserved.

Beloved, what Jesus is saying is what you feel.

Now listen to me.

What you feel inside is enough to damn you to eternal hell as much as what you do on the outset.

Welcome to Grace to You with the Bible teaching of John MacArthur. I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

When you hear about a murderer or a terrorist or some other horrible criminal, it's easy to say, well, I'm not as evil as that person. But what does Scripture say about comparing yourself with other people,

comparing your sinfulness, or for that matter, comparing your righteousness with that of others?

Today on Grace to You, John MacArthur sounds a warning against having a smug

attitude towards sin, as John continues his series called the Sinfulness of Sin. This study can help

you see the depths of your sin and even greater depths of God's love and forgiveness that are

yours when you are united to Christ. So now open your Bible to the

Gospel of Matthew as John begins the lesson. Matthew chapter 5 and verse 21, ye have heard it said by them of

old, thou shalt not kill.

Where did that come from?

Well, if you know anything about the revelation of God, you know it came basically from

Exodus chapter 20 when God gave the Decalogue and said, thou shalt not kill.

But Scripture has a lot more to say about murder than just that.

And that's why Jesus goes on in verse 22 and says this, but I say unto you.

Let me tell you what God really meant by that word in Exodus.

Let me give you the right interpretation.

Whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of judgment, and whosoever shall say

to his brother, Raqa, shall be in danger of the counsel, and whosoever shall say thou fool

...