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Daily Strength Blog

EXODUS 20:13

You shall not murder.

Every 22 seconds someone in the United States is beaten, stabbed, shot, robbed, raped or killed. The average American citizen has a 1 in 153 chance of being murdered. Intentional killings–murders and suicides–rank fourth among causes of U.S. deaths, after heart disease, cancer and accidents. Obviously, such a low regard for human life is appalling and reflects how far America has strayed from the principles of the Ten Commandments.

But Jesus broadened the “You shall not murder” commandment even more. He said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matt. 5:21-22).

While Christians are unlikely to murder someone physically, they can easily be murderers in their heart. Perhaps you can identify with Clarence Darrow, the famous criminal lawyer, who said, “Everyone is a potential murderer. I have not killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction out of obituary notices.”

When we have hatred in our hearts toward someone or we nurse an angry attitude toward a person who has offended us, we qualify under Jesus’ guidelines as murderers. That may be shocking, but it’s true. If you fall into this category, ask God to forgive you and to replace your anger and bitterness with an unconditional love for the one you previously hated.

Go to that person and seek reconciliation. Ask for forgiveness because of your inappropriate attitudes. Reach out to her and try to make your one-time enemy your friend. It’s the only way to remove murderous attitudes from your heart.

Since your attitudes are just as important as your actions, don’t dismiss too quickly what the Lord Jesus said. Take an attitude check today and see if there is murder in your heart, even if it is not in your head.

AN ATTITUDE CAN MURDER JUST AS EASILY AS AN AX.

WOODROW KROLL
www.backtothebible.in

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