Exodus 20:13 (Amplified Bible)
You shall not commit murder.
Even in this age of moral decay, most people still agree that murder is the single-most horrible thing one human being can do to another. Most of us wouldn't even consider killing someone else, unless it were in the name of self-defense, or if there were an imminent threat against our family.
But what about harboring feelings of anger or hatred towards someone else? What about the people that have wounded us deeply on any number of levels, do we want them to die? While we may not profess to want to end their lives, the Lord is pretty clear that these feelings and the act of murder are of the same kind. If murder is the fully grown "weed", hatred and anger are the "seeds".
Knowing this, we truly need to monitor the condition of our hearts and minds at all times. We need to start today, because weeds are easy to uproot and remove when they're small. However, the longer they're allowed to mature and sprawl, their roots are much harder to remove.
We must forgive one another for our own benefit. Forgiveness is for us; when we let someone "off of the hook" for something they've done, the act of forgiving them will actually begin to clean up and heal our hearts. It affords the ability to "let go" and effectively purge any anger, rage, hate or pain that we may be holding on to.
Matthew 5:21-22 (The Message)
21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.
Good Night
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