You shall not murder.1
The sixth commandment is pretty straightforward. When God said, \'You shall not murder\', he meant that no one should take the life of another.");
document.writeln("This applies to all human life\'¦ whether it is a baby in the womb or another");
document.writeln("person of any age. What I love about this commandment, however, is how Jesus expanded");
document.writeln("on it and clarified that it went beyond just a physical action. In Matthew 5:21");
document.writeln("Jesus said, \'You have heard that our ancestors were told, \'You must not murder.");
document.writeln("If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.\' But I say, if you are even");
document.writeln("angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,");
document.writeln("you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,");
document.writeln("you are in danger of the fires of hell.\' Then again in 1 John 3:15 we are told, \'Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And");
document.writeln("you know that murderers don\'t have eternal life within them.\' So, as you can");
document.writeln("see, this commandment was not just to state the action we should not take, but");
document.writeln("also to show what the condition of our heart ought to be.
We live in an imperfect world, full of sin, which makes it");
document.writeln("harder to control our thoughts and actions. However, the Lord wants us to be");
document.writeln("like Him, holy and upright, which is why He sent Jesus. Jesus was the final");
document.writeln("sacrifice in atonement for our sins. The forgiveness and grace we find through");
document.writeln("Jesus releases us from the burdens of the law, but we must understand that");
document.writeln("Jesus came to fulfill the law, including the Ten Commandments. While it is true");
document.writeln("that He forgives a multitude of sins, we must not take for granted this gift.");
document.writeln("Christians should look to their Savior\'s example in all things. Remembering");
document.writeln("that He is love, and having experienced this love firsthand, will influence the");
document.writeln("way we treat, and think of, others.
Understanding that \'You shall not murder\' refers to us refusing");
document.writeln("to take a life, as well as avoiding feelings of hatred towards others, can serve");
document.writeln("as a reminder to cling to Jesus more every day. He is the giver of peace and can");
document.writeln("help us live righteously and in obedience to His Word.
Suggested prayer: Dear God, please keep all thoughts of");
document.writeln("hatred and anger towards others far from me. Help me love others like you have");
document.writeln("loved me, and act in harmony with Your will. I want to honor you in word and");
document.writeln("action. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus\' name, amen.
1. Exodus");
document.writeln("20:13 (NKJV).
Today\'s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
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This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes can be read online.
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