~~ Exodus20:13 (NIV84) ~~ You shall
not murder.
The sixth commandment is “Thou shalt not
kill” (KJV), but whether you realize it or not; or like it or not, you’re guilty of
it! Yes, YOU!
I Know; It Was a Shocker to
Me Too!
I know
what you’re thinking. “But I never hurt
anyone, let alone kill someone.”
I’ve been thinking a lot about this commandment in the last few days. What got me started was hearing a story from a friend (who I’ll call Maggie) about one of her friends (who I’ll call Annie). I know, that’s gossip; but that’s a point for another blog post.
Here’s how the story went: Annie doesn’t get along well with one of her male co-workers (who I’ll call Miguel). As a matter of fact she states that she hates him. Even to the point she’s pondered quitting her job to get away from him.
One day Miguel said to a third co-worker (who I’ll call George) “I think Annie hates me.”
George runs back to Annie telling her what Miguel said. Her response was “Good. I’m glad he knows I hate him.”
Annie tells Maggie this story, and then Maggie tells me. Then, I spend the next few days pondering over the situation because the whole story bothered me. That’s because Annie calls herself a Christian. How is it that she can say that she loves Jesus and still be open about such hatred for another person? The truth is very few of us have walked through life without hating someone at one point or another. This is where we get ourselves into trouble. You see 1John 3:15 says “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” There’s only one way to read that statement. It’s not one that leaves any room for other interpretation.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this commandment in the last few days. What got me started was hearing a story from a friend (who I’ll call Maggie) about one of her friends (who I’ll call Annie). I know, that’s gossip; but that’s a point for another blog post.
Here’s how the story went: Annie doesn’t get along well with one of her male co-workers (who I’ll call Miguel). As a matter of fact she states that she hates him. Even to the point she’s pondered quitting her job to get away from him.
One day Miguel said to a third co-worker (who I’ll call George) “I think Annie hates me.”
George runs back to Annie telling her what Miguel said. Her response was “Good. I’m glad he knows I hate him.”
Annie tells Maggie this story, and then Maggie tells me. Then, I spend the next few days pondering over the situation because the whole story bothered me. That’s because Annie calls herself a Christian. How is it that she can say that she loves Jesus and still be open about such hatred for another person? The truth is very few of us have walked through life without hating someone at one point or another. This is where we get ourselves into trouble. You see 1John 3:15 says “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” There’s only one way to read that statement. It’s not one that leaves any room for other interpretation.
“Commandment Number Six: Guilty!”
So many
people don’t realize that hating someone puts them on the same level in God’s
court as someone who’s murdered another person.
The Bible has many references to how we should treat our enemy.
- Leviticus 19:17 - Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.
- Luke 6:27 - But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
- 1 John 4:20 - If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
- John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
- Matthew 7:12 - So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
- Psalm 97:10 - Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
- Proverbs 25:21-22 - If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
If you
hate someone, then you’ve broken the sixth commandment. It’s hard to love your enemy, but it’s worth
the effort. Do you really want to stand before God in His
court on Judgement Day and risk Him telling you that you’re guilty?
Let’s Pray
~~ Dear God ~~ You are so merciful,
loving, and patient with us. So very
often my heart is not in the right place toward other people around me. Thank You for Your Word that teaches me how
to condition my heart so that I will not be found guilty in Your Court. Please help me to change any hatred in my
heart to love for my enemies. In Jesus
name, AMEN.
Something to Think About
Here's one of many videos by Ray Comfort that will make you think about how many commandments you've broken. He has a way of opening people's eyes.
Something to Think About
Here's one of many videos by Ray Comfort that will make you think about how many commandments you've broken. He has a way of opening people's eyes.
Now It’s Your Turn
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Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThank you. Many blessings to you. HUG.
DeleteThank you. Many blessings to you. HUG.
ReplyDeleteVery good post and thought provoking. Makes a person really think about how they feel about others and things in general. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Many blessings to you. HUG.
DeleteGreat reminder! I remember the first time I heard this message in a sermon at church ~ wow! Talk about scarin' the begeebees out of a young kid! But I'll tell you what... sure has made me think, and remember that message, every time I have a "strong disklike" for someone! I've also taught my own children not to "hate" others!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Thank you. This certainly can be a scary lesson, but all God's lessons are good ones. Many blessings to you. HUG.
DeleteThe breaking of any one of God's law makes us guilty of breaking them all. We have all fallen short! As sinners we need a Savior and Redeemer. Praise God for Jesus Christ, the only one that can and will redeem us if we will believe in Him and obey Him. Thanks CARLEY! Vic.
ReplyDeleteThank you. You've made a very good point. Thanks for the awesome feedback. Many blessings to you. HUG.
DeleteSpot on. Not one of us is perfect for all fall short of the glory of God.
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord for the saving Grace of Jesus Christ. :-D Ya!
AMEN! Thanks for replying. Many blessings to you. HUG
DeleteCarly, Thanks for posting this reminder. Usually, I am a person who is quick to forgive by nothing but God's grace. Also through God's grace, I can not say that I truly hate anyone. Hate is too strong a word or feeling for me. I may strongly dislike another's actions but I haven't so far let it progress to hate and I pray that I (and we) never do!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for listing the Scriptures because they are a good measuring stick for reflecting on how I am treating others. When someone treats me unkindly, I am not always kind in return - especially family members, at times. That is something I am working on! Thankfully, these times have been few and far between but they are still present. Thanks again!
Thank you so very much for sharing! Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteThe following taken from the Center for Reformed Theology and Apologetics Website at
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reformed.org/index.html
Hope you benefit from this info.
The Westminster Larger Catechism states the following about the 6th commandment:
Q. 134. Which is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.[720]
Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?
A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves[721] and others[722] by resisting all thoughts and purposes,[723] subduing all passions,[724] and avoiding all occasions,[725] temptations,[726] and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any;[727] by just defence thereof against violence,[728] patient bearing of the hand of God,[729] quietness of mind,[730] cheerfulness of spirit;[731] a sober use of meat,[732] drink,[733] physic,[734] sleep,[735] labour,[736] and recreations;[737] by charitable thoughts,[738] love,[739] compassion,[740] meekness, gentleness, kindness;[741] peaceable,[742] mild and courteous speeches and behaviour;[743] forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil;[744] comforting and succouring the distressed and protecting and defending the innocent.[745]
Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves,[746] or of others,[747] except in case of public justice,[748] lawful war,[749] or necessary defence;[750] the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life;[751] sinful anger,[752] hatred,[753] envy,[754] desire of revenge;[755] all excessive passions,[756] distracting cares;[757] immoderate use of meat, drink,[758] labor,[759] and recreations;[760] provoking words,[761] oppression,[762] quarreling,[763] striking, wounding,[764] and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.[765]
[#] refers to Scripture texts. You can find these at the website.
[
Thank you so much for sharing. It will indeed be useful. Many blessings to you. HUG.
DeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and for replying. Many blessings to you. HUG
DeleteThanks for the mesage on murder :-D Ya!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and for replying to my blog. Many blessings to you. HUG
DeleteIt's only through Jesus and His work in our lives that we can do anything.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and for the feedback. Many blessings to you. HUG
DeleteGod bless you Sparkycarley
ReplyDeleteThank you
Thanks for reading and for the wonderful blessing. Many blessings to you. HUG
DeleteI quit going to church because of 'hateful' Christians. It's much more peaceful this way.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your bad experience. You need to find an open bible-based church. I'll pray for you. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteGreat!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and for replying. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteThank you
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and for replying. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteI don't like to hear people say they hate another person. It is such a strong word. :-D Ya. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and for replying. Hate is indeed a strong word. It's unfortunate that more people don't realize just how strong it is. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteI have to tell you that when I started to read, I thought" no,not me! I'm not guilty of this!"
ReplyDeleteBut then God put someone on my heart when I read "she's calls herself a Christian" and I remembered people know I don't like this person.
Ouch.......my attitude needs to change right now and I need to pray about this and ask forgiveness.
thank you for this reminder. Hugs
Thank you for reading and for sharing. I'm glad the message touched you. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteI remember a sermon on this very thing when I was a young girl... talk about scarin' the eeebeegeebees out of a young'un..... but it stuck with me, and I think of this every time I have a "strong dislike" for a person.... I taught my kids the same thing... not to "hate".... it's okay, not to like them, but you don't "hate"!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder!
Thank you for reading and for sharing. Sounds like you're teaching your kids God's Word well. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteThank you for reminding me again that wanting anything other than salvation and freedom to obey God for my enemies is not the Lord's spirit but the enemy's spirit operating in my heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and for sharing. I'm glad the message touched you. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteYes, the devil is always there trying to tempt us.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Many blessings to you. HUGS
DeleteHate is the devil's work. Jesus loves us and wants us to love others, just like Him.
DeleteHate is a very strong word.My parents taught me that it actually means you want that person dead.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and thank you for sharing. Your parents taught you well. That was exactly my point in this message. Many blessings to you. HUGS
Deleteneat
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. HUG
DeleteGreat food for thought! When we all fall short, I like to think that sometimes it is not is what we do or mentally think about, but what we do not do when God calls us to reach out to our neighbor in need: Matthew 22:37-39 (AMP): "(37) And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). (38) This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. (39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself." Forgive us Lord, when we neglect your will in our lives. Hug, hug (Ejoy)-Evelyn
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. HUG
Delete