Jesus reminded the Christians of His day that God cannot stand murder. He stated that the law of God stated that if one did commit murder they would be found guilty before a court. At least some things never change. But then he added something else to the equation. Not only are those who physically kill another guilty before a court but also those who commit verbal murder (Matthew 5:21-23).
After looking at the heart of the law against murder Jesus realized that to “make it right” one needed to avoid hating and despising another person. He said this because each human being is valuable in God’s eyes. When we despise another, when we look down at another, when we cut another with our words we commit verbal murder. Verbal murder and physical murder are equally intolerable in the eyes of God.
….Yeah. That’s the same heavy silence I am feeling as I write these words. It’s heavy because I’ve committed verbal murder, even after following Jesus as my Savior. I need to make it right…do you?
Christ on Christian Housekeeping Tips:
1. Remember the our tongues can do great good or great harm.
It’s important never to forget that if we are not careful are tongues can be the murder weapon. Behind the steering wheel, in our homes, at the workplace we have to be on guard. Focus on making your tongue and tool for good, not a weapon for destruction.
2. Focus on seeing what Christ sees.
When Jesus looks at you and I He sees those worth giving His life for. We were worth dying for. Does he love sin because He loved us? Certainly not. Did He speak out about sin? Certainly. But he never cut down a person with his tongue. Be careful that as you engage sin you don’t mistake the sinner with what you aiming at. Ask the Lord to look through the lens of his love when you look at others.
Community Questions:
Why do you suppose that verbal murder is equal to physical murder?
Do you imagine that if there were no verbal murder there would also be no physical murder?
Do you have any questions for Christ on Christians?
Mike Holmes has a simple philosophy: Make it Right. He is the host of the HGTV show Holmes on Homes. In the show Mike comes to the rescue of homeowners who have been taken advantage of by bad contractors. He comes to their home, assesses the problem, and…you guessed it makes it right! It is simple, yet profound. Being a homeowner myself it scares me a bit that there are enough bad apples out there to warrant an entire hit television show highlighting their mistakes but it’s true. Well I want to borrow Mike idea here for a new blog series entitled “Christ on Christians”. Many times Christians have blown it and others always pay the price. I would like to consider a situation and ask what Christ would have done differently. I would love your thoughts and comments as we go along on this project!
he followers of God in his day had been told not to commit adultery. Adultery was a violation of the marriage vow. We all are familiar with what that means: physical unfaithfulness outside of marriage for one who is married. But Jesus took a step further, he said adultery is not simply the physical act, it’s deeper. If you look at a woman with lust you’re guilty of adultery.
