Matthew 5:33-47

33-36. "Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the LORD'. But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black."

Don't make promises or swear on anything. We have no true control or ownership of anything, so how can we swear or make promises by them?

37. "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil."

This is one of my favorite verses. Let your yes be yes and your no be no!

38-45. "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Don't repay evil for evil. If someone does something rude or unfair to you treat them with love, treat them the way you would like to be treated.

46-47. "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

It is easy to be kind and pray for people who are kind to you. God loves every one of us. He created each one of us. It breaks His heart when any turn away from Him. Jesus tells us to share the love God gives us not only with those who are showing us love but to all people. Take captive your thoughts. If you find yourself even thinking unkindly of another, stop those thoughts and pray for them in love. Try to avoid prayers requesting they be changed to someone more likable or kind. Instead pray for their hearts to be open and they be drawn closer to God so that they might feel His love for them in all its fulness.