For Paul and others in the early church, the Spirit was far more than a concept or doctrine. It was a living reality - one that they had experienced - and their lives were never the same. Paul insisted that living in the Spirit of God opens the mind and heart to understand the Scriptures and spiritual realities. Not only that, the Spirit transforms the individual believer so that he or she moves from one level of glory to another into the image of Christ himself. True understanding comes about not by 'figuring things out' but by allowing ourselves to be led and transformed by the Spirit.

We all know what it means to take a human life, but Jesus insisted that there are many ways of killing someone. When we curse, despise, or insult someone - or even think these things - we have defaced the image of God in that person and in a sense 'murdered' them. Sooner or later these thoughts and words are expressed in more physical and violent ways. What a frightening thought, for most of us are guilty! If we want a more peaceful and just society and world, Jesus challenges us to go to the source of the trouble: our thoughts and words. There is some good news too: when we love another, even in thoughts or words, we are also loving that image of God within them. Each day we have many opportunities so let us pay more attention to our thoughts and words.