Angry Enough to Murder

Today’s study scripture from Matthew 5:21-26

Have you ever desired for someone bad things? For your loved ones or enemies? For your friends or strangers? Moreover, have you ever in your life hated someone that much, that in you heart you wished him/her a death? What’s more, have you ever expressed your hatred towards a person right in the face wishing “all the best”? I assume the answer is YES, otherwise you are not a human.

• Bad news, taking in consideration all the symptoms, according to Jesus, you are a MURDERER (note 1 John 3:15).
• Good news, you are not alone in this room (note Romans 3:23). Unfortunately, we are all guilty of that sin.
• GREATEST news, Jesus Christ forgave! He washed away the sins of the world, your sins and my sins. The Son of God willingly shed His blood – one for all (note John 3:16). That is what happened on the Cross! If you have not ACCEPTED JESUS in your heart yet, I encourage you to do so NOW!

Murder

The definition of the word murder is a simple one. Murder – intentional taking of human life without justification. God created male and female in His image (note Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13). Therefore, human’s life is in God’s possession. Nobody, except God has a right to take a life of another person unjustly. Even justice given by God to a man, and man ought to carry out the justice accordingly.

Taking of human life without justification is a serious crime in the Bible. God views our lives as a sacred trust. The prohibition against murder is found in the Ten Commandments, the core of Hebrew Law (note Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17). Deliberately taking the life of a person usurps the authority that belongs to God only. God gave the law to Moses in order to protect the dignity of human life. Beside the prohibition to murder someone, God prescribes the verdict for a murderer. If a person takes the life of another person, a murderer should be prepared to forfeit his own life (note Exodus 21:12; Genesis 9:6). In Numbers 35:16-31 careful attention is given to determining whether a killing is to be classified as a murder.

Anger

Matthew 5:21-22 King James Version

²¹ Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

²² 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.

On the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gave teaching about anger. Thus, Christ made prohibition against murder even deeper. When Jesus Christ said, “But I say unto you,” he did not abolish the Sixth Commandment “Thou shalt not kill“. Rather, He expounded the original intent of why God made that law in the first place. If the Mosaic Law says, that you shall not murder; Jesus taught that we should not even be angry enough to murder, for then we have already committed murder in our hearts.

According to Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, the words ANGER or WRATH are “used to express several emotions, including indignation, vexation, grief, bitterness, and fury. It is the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice. Both humans and God express anger or wrath. When used of God, wrath refers to His absolute opposition to sin and evil. When used of humans, however, wrath or anger is one of those evils that is to be avoided.”

Murder is a horrible sin, but ANGER and hate is a great sin, too, because it also violates God’s command to LOVE (note Matthew 5:43-44). Anger keeps us from developing spirit pleasing to God. If you ever have hold yourself from acting out of emotion and anger – well done (note Numbers 22:29). Self-control is good, but Christ wants us to practice thought-control too. Jesus said that we will be held accountable for our deeds and our thoughts (note Genesis 6:5; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 15:19).

Matthew 5:23-26 King James Version

²³ Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

²⁴ Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Equally important the relationship with God as well as with others. Likewise, broken relationships endangers our relationship with God. We are hypocrites if we claim to LOVE GOD while HATE OTHERS. The way we act towards others and think about them reflect our relationship with God, and vice versa. If we are brooding bitterness or grievance in our hearts against someone, we should resolve the problem and reconcile as soon as possible. Leave your “gift before the altar”, and then come back with PURE HEART (note Proverbs 22:11; Matthew 5:8).

Matthew 5:25-26 King James Version

²⁵ Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

²⁶ Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Finally, Jesus Christ gives practical suggestion. Jesus calls for reconciliation to be sought eagerly, aggressively, and quickly – even if it involves self-sacrifice. It is better to be wrong by your best friend, rather than dishonor your Heavenly Father (note 1 Corinthians 6:7). In other words, Christ’s advice is to get things right with our brothers and sisters before we have to stand before our JUDGE.

Conclusion

1. Anger is a seething, brooding bitterness against someone.
2. Anger is a heavy burden, hanging stone around the neck which sink you down into the darkness far away from God’s presence.
3. Anger is a very danger emotion which leads to woe, irritation, rebellion, violence and destruction.
4. Anger is an emotional hurt, increasing mental stress, and spiritual damage.

Fight your anger. Call upon God’s name and He will send the Helper for you.

John 14:16 King James Version

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

2 Timothy 1:7 King James Version

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Ephesians 4:22-32 New International Version

²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Amen.