Friday, July 18 || ANGER IS EQUIVALENT TO MURDER

Honey Drops for Every Soul
Jul 18
2 min read

Read : Matthew 5:21-23, I John 3: 11-15

“Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer. ...” - I John 3:15

Jesus said in Matthew 5: 21 that those who murder will be judged according to the Law given through Moses. One of the Ten Commandments says: DO NOT MURDER! Most of us are not murderers in the eyes of the jury and even of the society. Why, even in our own eyes! But what about our position in God's eyes? In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus set forth new dimension to the Old Testament Law. He said, murder is not only killing someone. It is more than that in God's purview. A person who is ANGRY with his sibling is also considered a murderer. Jesus conveyed to His audience that such people also cannot escape judgment from God though they have not physically murdered anyone. Especially when they call people names - Raca or Fool! God equates anger and angry words to murder! In Matthew 5:22, Jesus said, “Anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.” John in his first epistle also draws on this quote of Jesus. He goes further and says in I John 3: 15, “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer.”

Dear friends, Jesus also gave a remedy to those who got angry with their siblings. He said: “GO and GET THEIR PARDON!” Yes, it is better to get things settled than keep hatred and anger brewing. John says that even this is not enough - but we should start loving our siblings. Let us not be angry, but be ready to quell our anger as soon as it is aroused. Let us nip it off in the bud. Let us not bring the wrath of God's judgment on us.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I have not physically murdered anyone. But I admit that I have committed murder in my heart many times as I have been angry with my brothers and sisters, with the family of believers and also with other people. Forgive me. Help me to reconcile with them. Amen.