Hello Tyron,

We don't know what Jesus said and what was added later by the church. The church freely admits that things were added. We do know the general teaching or tone of Jesus' teachings.

In that chapter in Matthew, Jesus was using a list of examples to say that what someone does in the physical realm isn't spiritually significant. What is in your heart is all that matters. If you are angry with someone, that's the same as injuring or killing them. The sentiment or feeling or attitude is there. That's all that makes up a person. Work on who you are. Don't try to obey man's laws to make yourself righteous. Focus on who you are on the inside. That's the spiritual part of you. That's what he was saying.

But I really don't want to talk about the Bible as a book of rules and laws. It's just a collection of writings by ordinary human beings. It might inspire thought that brings you into communion with God, who will teach you, but it's your personal dialogue with the Higher Power where you'll learn about spirituality and who you are in eternity. Not the Bible.

Love and peace, Craig