How Hatred is Murder

From my conversations with Christians, it seems as if people don't understand how hatred of an enemy is equal to murder. After all, it's just occurring in the mind. Nobody actually is killed, right?

Jesus had a thing or three to say about mentally murdering some one in Matthew 5:21 and 22 (Bible in Basic English). "You have knowledge that it was said in old times, 'You may not put to death;' and, 'Whoever puts to death will be in danger of being judged:' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of being judged; and he who says to his brother, 'Raca,' will be in danger from the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, 'You foolish one,' will be in danger of the hell of fire."

John states this truth bluntly in 1 John 3:15 (BBE). "Anyone who has hate for his brother is a taker of life, and you may be certain that no taker of life has eternal life in him."

Some folks might think that this is taking things to extremes. People who annoy us or even do us physical or emotional harm earn our hatred, right? Not according to James 4:1 and 2 (BBE). "What is the cause of wars and fighting among you? is it not in your desires which are at war in your bodies? You are burning with desire, and have not your desire, so you put men to death; you are full of envy, and you are not able to get your desire, so you are fighting and making war; you have not your desire, because you do not make request for it."

And lest some one think this is just a New Testament commandment, check out Exodus 23:4 and 5 (BBE). "If you come across the ox or the ass of one who is no friend to you wandering from its way, you are to take it back to him. If you see the ass of one who has no love for you bent down to the earth under the weight which is put on it, you are to come to its help, even against your desire."

We also learn from Scripture that it's God who will repay the wickedness done to us. Deuteronomy 7:9 and 10 (BBE) states it plainly. "Be certain, then, that the Lord your God is God; whose faith and mercy are unchanging, who keeps his word through a thousand generations to those who have love for him and keep his laws; Rewarding his haters to their face with destruction; he will have no mercy on his hater, but will give him open punishment."

What a relief it is that God takes note of those who cause us grief and harm. We take these matters to him in prayer and he dispenses punishment in the way he knows best to our enemies. And showing love to these miserable people demonstrates our forbearance in avenging our wounded pride.

On Saturday, if Christ hasn't returned, I hope to publish about a broken-hearted man and his song about the one he loved. I love the story in this song.