4. How did Jesus magnify the sixth commandment? Matthew 5:21-22. Compare Leviticus 19:17-18.
NOTE: ‘In this Christ did not reveal a new truth but only brought to light and unfolded an old one. The law meant just as much when He proclaimed it from Sinai as when He expounded it on the mountain in Judea. When, in tones that shook the earth, He said, “Thou shalt not kill,” He meant, “Thou shalt not cherish anger in the heart; thou shalt not indulge in envy, nor strife, nor anything which is in the remotest degree akin to murder.” All this and much more is contained in the words, “Thou shalt not kill.” And this was taught by the inspired words of the Old Testament, for Solomon showed that the law deals with things unseen as well as things seen, when he wrote: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14. The argument is this: The judgement passes upon every secret thing; the law of God is the standard in the judgement; it determines the quality of every act, whether good or evil; therefore, the law of God forbids evil in thought as well as in deed. So the conclusion of the whole matter is that the commandments of God contain the whole duty of man.’ E. J. Waggoner: Christ and His Righteousness, page 50.
5. What alternative to anger does Paul propose? Ephesians 4:31-32.
NOTE: ‘Wrath and anger grieve the Holy Spirit. These things are closely akin, of course. In the Greek, the word translated “wrath” signifies “the active principle of anger,” whereas the word translated “anger” strictly is “the passions.” Wrath is temporary: anger is a chronic bearing of malice. Both are effects of bitterness, considered as a rooted disposition. Yet there are professed Christians who have the active principle of anger so rooted in their disposition that when some word is said, or something is done, that does not just suit them, they instantly flare up like fire into the passion of anger: and then will hold to it and sulk under it, even for days. Such people cannot receive the Holy Spirit while they indulge such a spirit as that: they grieve the Holy Spirit instead of receiving Him. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger be put away from you, that you may receive, rather than grieve, the Holy Spirit.’ A. T. Jones: Review & Herald, November 16, 1897.
6. Is it possible to be angry without committing sin? Ephesians 4:26.
NOTE: ‘It is true there is an indignation that is justifiable, even in the followers of Christ. When they see that God is dishonoured, and His service brought into disrepute, when they see the innocent oppressed, a righteous indignation stirs the soul. Such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin. But those who at any supposed provocation feel at liberty to indulge anger or resentment are opening the heart to Satan. Bitterness and animosity must be banished from the soul if we would be in harmony with heaven.’ Desire of Ages, page 310.