The Heart: Most Common Murder Weapon

Matthew 5:21-26

 

The scribes and rabbis came to think that the correct way to avoid breaking the sixth commandment (“thou shalt not murder” Ex. 20:13) was to simply keep from taking an innocent life. All the hate and anger which motivated the murder was not a sin. Murdering someone’s reputation by slandering his character or by demeaning his value as a human being did not matter.

Murder Begins in the Heart

Murder is a common crime. Homicide was the first criminal act recorded in the Bible (not counting the eating of the forbidden fruit). The Old Testament lists many murderers beginning with Cain. Homicide is very common in the U.S. Murder is treated very seriously by God in the Bible. To take the life of a fellow human being is to assault the sacredness of the image of God (Gen. 9:6). The Law of Moses condemned murder as a capital offence. Murder demanded the death penalty for the murderer (Ex. 21:12). Yet, according to the Law of Moses the executing of a criminal, just warfare, accidental homicide, killing of animals, and self-defense are excluded from the definition of murder.

Pharisaical righteousness deals with murder as a mere civil issue. It consisted of avoiding the act of murder. Evil was confined to the physical realm and then it was only an overt act. Criminal intent which remained in the heart was of no real consequences. Jesus implies that the guilt for murder does not begin just when the victim dies. Murder begins in the heart. There are many who have enough hatred in their heart to murder their neighbor, but do not out of cowardice or fear of getting caught. Should such haters be considered righteous men and women. Those who feel secure in their goodness by bragging, “I’m not so bad a person, at least I have never killed anyone” are challenged to rethink their possible guilt. To understand that all haters of men are murderers shatters ones self-illusions concerning their righteousness.

Methods of Murder With Words

Just how could one be guilty of murder without taking the life of another? Jesus gives three ways this can be done. Each sin increases with regard to the harm or hurt done to the victim and the consequences the dangerous consequences the sinner will face. First, one may murder his neighbor by being angry with him without a just cause. Jesus is not condemning righteous indignation. Out of just anger Jesus cleansed the Temple not once but twice (Jn. 2:14-17; Mt. 21:12,13). He expressed anger toward the Pharisees (Mk. 3:5). In fact, all Christians are commanded to be angry. “Be angry, and do not sin” (Eph. 4:26). To never have the God-given emotion of anger is to disobey a command of God and sin.

Instead of condemning all anger as sinful, Jesus is damning anger that is without a reasonable motive. Perhaps, one is angry over someone’s mere forgetfulness or oversight. The sinner will be angry over something that is beyond the victim’s control. Jesus is also condemning the type of anger that is dwelt on until it comes to the point of boiling over. This is not “righteous indignation.” It is stewing over an offense by holding a grudge. Seneca called this anger “a brief insanity.”

It has been said that anger is just one letter (“d”) away from danger. Anger is the first step leading to hatred which can foment into murder. Jesus indicated that not only will an actually murderer face the judgment of the court of the local elders of the town or city, but so will those harboring such anger. Surely, we cannot conceive of an actual court convening to judge the hidden emotion of unjustifiable anger toward another. The “judgment” refer to by Jesus in this case is perhaps that of the Unseen Judge who is a witness of the unseen sins of the heart where murder has its origin.

The second means by which a hater can murder is by calling his neighbor “raca.” This was a commonly used slur used by Jews in the first century. Some scholars suggest the term used here is very difficult to translated into English. It seems to be an attack on the intelligence of a man. Perhaps, calling him an empty headed, stupid fool.” It implies one has very little brains to work with. The term is used in James 2:20: “but do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” Obviously, James’ use of the term was not in conflict with Jesus teachings. When you think about how smart God is compared to man it is hard to image anyone of us disparaging the intelligence of another man.

This hateful behavior is also dangerous. Jesus said one could be in danger of condemnation before the Sanhedrin. This represented the Jewish supreme court. The Sanhedrin was made up of seventy-two judges plus the high-priest who served as its president. Again, it is difficult to imagine this court taking up a discussion of a case where one man called anther “stupid.” Yet, Jesus warned, “but I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Mt. 12:36). Jesus tells us there is a third method of murdering with the hateful heart. It is by calling a man “fool.” Is Jesus condemning the mere use of the term “fool” in relation to another human being. NO! Jesus Himself called the Pharisees “blind fools” (Matt. 23:17). God calls atheists fools (Ps. 14:1; 53:1).

The word “fool” is translated from the Greek term moros from which the English word “moron” is derived. It is a disparaging comment expressing the idea that someone is morally worthless. It destroys his character and his value has a fellow human being. Considering the fact that we are all morally deficient and without any redeeming virtues before God to saved us, how can any man say to another that he is a worthless heathen. Character assassination is murdering someone with words.

Once more this man is in danger, but not from a lower court or the supreme court but of Hell itself. James tells us tongue is a member of the body which set on fire by hell. Such a tongue will lead the hater to an eternal destiny of burning in the fires of hell.

Reconciliation Required for Righteous Worship

Sacrifice was esteemed the highest act of worship. The Pharisees may have taken this to mean that only the correct external actions mattered in worship. Jesus would often correct this misconceptions of men by quoting from Hosea: “I desire mercy and not sacrifice” (Matt. 9:13; 12:7). Substituting the mere outward aspects of worship as devotion before God will never be an acceptable replacement for approaching God in worship with a pure heart.

▸ Reconciliation must Precede Worship

Jesus envisions a worshiper taking his sacrifice and traveling to Jerusalem. He goes to the Temple and passes from the Court of the Gentiles into the Court of the Women. At the railing between the Court of the Men and the Court of the Priest he stops. As he hands the sacrifice over to an officiating priest and lays his hand on the sacrifice to confess, he suddenly remembers his unresolved issues with his neighbor. He turns to a friend and leaves his sacrifice with him and seeks out his neighbor to make reconciliation before he returns to offer the sacrifice through the priest. His reconciliation with his neighbor comes before his reconciliation with God.

Devotion to God without repentance over sin is vain (Ps. 51:16-17). Worship cannot cover-up rebellious disobedience (1 Sam. 15;22). If you have wronged a brother or own some debt, you should seek forgiveness and/or pay up. God is not just seeking sacrifices but an obedient heart. Notice the attitude of the Publican in one of Jesus’ parables about prayer, he said “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” Seek reconciliation with your brother not just with God ( Is. 1:11, 16,17. Jer. 7:9-10). If there is so much conflict between you and your brother you cannot worship with him, do you really think you can acceptably worship without him? Just being right with God is not enough.

▸ Reconciliation Is the Duty of the Offender

Whenever there is a conflict between two men the question is: who is going to make the first move toward reconciliation? Who is going to be the bigger man? Jesus indicates here that it is the one who remembers he has offended or is in debt to his brother. However, He also taught that the offended person was to come to the offender (Mt. 18:15-20). Theoretically, if both men are doing as they ought at the same time they would meet each other in the middle to resolve the issue. So the most important thing they should be concerned with is not who is at fault or who should make the first move, but obeying God and being able to worship Him faithfully.

▸ Reconciliation must Be Prompt

Jesus encourages one to settle their issues out of court as quickly as possible. An “adversary” is the accuser in a lawsuit. According to some ancient laws an accuser could make a citizens-arrest by grabbing and hauling the accused before the court. Albert Barnes wrote, “It is remarkable that this very direction is found in the Roman Law of the Twelve Tables, which expressly directed the plaintiff and defendant to make up the matter while they were in the way.” Before they came to face the judge reconciliation was still possible.

Time is of the essence. If anger over the offense or debt is not resolved in a timely manner, they will have let the sun go down on their wrath (Eph. 4:26). Now is the day for reconciliation, not tomorrow. Conflicts are much easier to resolve if anger over the issue is not allow to stew and simmer over night into a big festering bowl of hate. Jewish law required the courts to demand full payment of what was owed or imprisonment to the guilty. It is hard to repay ones’ debts while serving time in prison.

Solution

So, what can a hater who murders by mouth do to avoid judgment. First, recognize your guilt. Find the injured part immediately and make restitution. Then turn to God for forgiveness. Next, time you get angry do not let it fester into hatred. Sooner or later Jesus will come again and arrest you for murdering another in your heart and with your mouth. Instead, arrest murder in the making by controlling you anger and your speech.

– by Daniel R. Vess

 

News & Notes

● Morning’s Lesson: Elymas the Sorcerer
● Contribution Scripture: Acts 5:1-11
● Tonight is our monthly Singing.
● Fontenot’s are out of town.
● Janice Whiting has moved to Houston.

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