Murder is a word that is foreign to none of us. We hear of it on the news and know families that have been affected by it. In some cities, it is a daily occurrence. We’ve been confronted with it so much that the horror of it doesn’t seem to bother us much anymore until it hits home. A few years ago, a family we are friends with, was turned upside down when their infant granddaughter was murdered. It is an event we never forget, but don’t want to remember. To us, it is an unthinkable crime. However, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus deals with the sin of murder in a way that shocked all who were present. He takes the sin one step further. He shows them that what goes on in the heart is just as sinful as the act of taking a life. He begins by reminding them of what they have heard from those who would read God’s word to them. They were familiar with the commandment in Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.” In Leviticus 24:21, if you take a man’s life you will be put to death. In Numbers 35:16, the life of a murderer will be required for his actions. The word “kill” in Hebrew means to murder, to take a life with malice. It is the deliberate taking of a life. Just a note for clarity, this is not talking about the act of self-defense. Can you imagine those pious Pharisees when Jesus said in verse 22, “whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” To the Jews, the only crime was the external physical one of murder. According to Jesus this commandment also condemned wrong attitudes toward our fellowman. Therefore, it will do us well to examine our lives and see if we are guilty of murder.
Matthew 5:21-22 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
We too may have been shocked by Jesus’ words concerning murder because we’ve all had times of anger against someone. Yet, we know from other verses all anger is not sinful. In Ephesians 4:26 we are taught that we can be angry without sinning.“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” In John 2:14-15, Jesus was angry because of those who took advantage of those who needed animals for sacrifice. They were using the temple to gain financially. Jesus “And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;” We know Jesus never sinned, yet He was angry in this situation. Jesus is exhibiting righteous anger. Righteous anger is concerned with the injustice done to someone else, and with actions that dishonor God. The anger Jesus says is equal to murder is unrighteous anger. This is anger where we are only concerned with personal injustice. This is where we have been hurt or offended. This anger seeks retaliation, it is consumed with defending oneself instead of a Holy God. God forbids this in Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”
Matthew 5:39 “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
To hate someone makes us guilty of murder of the heart. Man sees outward actions and may feel we have justification for actions not becoming a Christian, but God judges the heart. He sees our hearts and knows our motives. In I John 3:15 the Apostle mentions this same warning. “Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” This is serious stuff! We have the responsibility of making sure we are not having these kinds of feelings toward others. I’ve heard some say, “I can’t help how I feel,” but that is a lie. We can make up our minds we will love no matter what and if we ask God to help us in this endeavor He will! God never requires anything of us that He will not empower us to do. The only reason we fail is because we have a selfish nature to which we are yielding.
Examine your heart and your relationships. Is there anyone that you hate? If so, get on your knees and seek God’s help. He will not fail you if you are sincere.
Wxcellent