Thou Shalt Not Kill: You’re Guilty!

~~ 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.

“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.  
Is Hatred Worth It?
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. 



Now It’s Your Turn
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What Makes a Happy Disciple?

~~ Matthew5:1-12 (NIV84) ~~  The Beatitudes.  (Click the scripture link to read the full passage.)


The word ‘Beatitude’ comes from the Latin word ‘beatitudo’ meaning ‘blessedness’. The dictionary defines it as ‘supreme blessedness or happiness’.

Oh Happy Day! 
A couple of years ago God used my biggest trauma to give me a wonderful blessing. When I was in the midst of these terrible times, I certainly didn’t feel blessed. I felt far from God. When I want to feel close to Jesus, I picture myself sitting by a cozy fire laughing and drinking cocoa with Him. How awesome it must have been for the disciples to be able to sit with Him and learn.

We are to Give Thanks 
When we hear the words ‘blessings or happiness’, our minds do not conger up pictures of being poor in spirit, mournful, or meek; and certainly not persecution. However, that’s what Jesus tells us that it takes to reach that supreme level. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) says, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Getting the Blessings 
If we are to ‘know’, ‘grow’, and ‘serve’ as disciples we need to be like Jesus. We need to:
  • Humbly recognize our need for God
  • Mourn for our sins
  • Submit to God
  • Have a deep enthusiasm for righteousness
  • Show mercy through forgiveness, kindness, and compassion
  • Be pure in heart
  • Be at peace with God through Jesus
  • Be daring enough to be open about our love for Jesus, despite the consequences.
That’s what makes a happy, and richly blessed, disciple.

Let’s Pray 
~~ Dear God ~~  , loving and merciful Father, so very often we forget to look to You when we are going through tough times. We want to be Jesus’ disciples, and we want the blessings, yet we don’t follow the rules He gave us. Thank You for Your Word, and for never giving up on us. Please help us to be like Jesus more and more every day. In Jesus name, Amen.

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God’s Promises: What to Do When You Feel Lonely

~~ Hebrews13:5 (NIV) ~~  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”


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It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, married or single, or somewhere in between; just about everyone knows the feeling of being alone.  At one point or another in our lives we know what it is to feel lonely, if even only for a short time or among a crowd.  But don’t fear because God has made some promises that can relieve you of this

Loneliness is a Huge Weight
It’s difficult because we were made for relationship; with each other and with God.    Sometimes I’ve been so lonely that it’s caused physical pain.  Deep inside I can completely understand when I hear stories of someone dying of a broken heart.  I know that many of you now that feeling as well. 

I could give you the normal advice that others give on this issue.  Such as “Cheer up.  Think about positive things”, “Get a pet”, “Make more friends”, “Keep the TV or radio on for company”, “Read more”, “Get out more”, “Exercise more”, and the list goes on.  Granted all of these things can help, but at the end of the day it’s a temporary fix. 

Turn to God’s Word
The one thing you can do to avoid loneliness is turn to God’s Word, the Bible.  God makes so many promises that you can’t feel alone.  Here are some of God’s promises about feeling lonely:
  • Hebrews13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
  • Isaiah41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
  • Psalm147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
  • Deuteronomy4:31 - For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.
  • 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
  • Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
He Will Not Leave You
God is with us every minute of every day.  He wants your company as much as you want company.  He loves you so much that he gave His only Son to die for you.  Don’t turn Him away when you’re feeling lonely. 

Let’s Pray
 ~~ Dear God ~~  Awesome, wonderful, loving Father, sometimes I forget about you when I am alone.  Please forgive me.  Thank You for loving me and never giving up on me.  I want a relationship with You too.  Please help me develop a strong relationship with You so that you are not only my Father, but my best Friend as well.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

For Further Study on Loneliness

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