6-NotMurder

6-NotMurder

Exodus 20:13 – You shall not murder.  (rsh – H7523) – The 6th commandment – However, our we aware that an improper attitude toward someone could cause you to speak and commit a murder of that person?

Matthew 5:21-22 –        “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’  22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before ^bthe supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the ^cfiery hell. ESV

The phrase:  “You have heard” –  is referencing to the tradition – then Christ goes on to say that the commandment means more than just murdering a person.  One can do something toward another that would be equal to murder.  In some cases it would be to speak ‘slander’ and thus murder your brother’s name and considered ‘murder’ in Christ’s eye.

It would mean that one has to watch their ‘attitude’ toward another as it could be what leads one into murdering another person.  Note verse 22 – the level of anger toward your brother by the words you speak to or about him.  The scripture provided some examples:  “whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before ^bthe supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the ^cfiery hell”.

Calling one “fool” is attacking their moral character.  The punishment for that is “fiery hell” (everlasting death). 

Jesus was putting anger and murder in the same category.  There was a direct connection and yet we frequently deny it.  The key here is the ‘intention’  when spoken as what would our intent be if we point a gun at someone – not alone fire it.     Anger can become destructive and can destroy its host. 

It was quoted in LABCM:

Anger may require the following controls:

•     Confrontation—expressing anger in appropriate ways

•     Contemplation—examining why we are angry

•     Confession—asking God and others for help in dealing with our anger

•     Condemnation—revising inappropriate expectations that lead to anger

Based on Jesus’ warning, we cannot assume that anger will go away by itself. It must be directed, controlled, and resolved.^[1]

For more information go to the site:  and listen to the message dated 11/17/79:  https://firstbaptistelyria.org/sermonaudio 

The 6th Commandment – Thou Shalt Not Kill

Pastor Patrick Odle Nov. 17, 2019Exodus 041:21

^[1] Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew (p. 93). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.