Is There A Murderer In The House?

Is there a murderer in the house? Certainly any congregation would feel uneasy if a known murderer who had never been prosecuted for his or her crime were sitting in church this Sunday. How would you feel sitting next to a killer who might strike again at any minute?

If the truth were known, perhaps many murderers worship in our churches every Sunday

“Thou Shalt Not Kill”

Ex 20:1313 "You shall not murder. "

Matt 5:21-26
21 "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 the supreme court; and whoever says, "You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. 23 "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.  25 "Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.  26 "Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.

1. Jesus prohibits the inward steps that lead to the outward act of murder

(vv. 21 – 22).

1. The gradual movement from anger to contempt to personal insult is noted by our Lord. Gradual punishment from the judgment (local court) to the council (the Sanhedrin) to hell is also indicated.

1. Continuous anger is prohibited. Thumos (thoo-meh'-o) is the Greek word for anger that blazes up quickly and soon dies out. But orge (or-gay') is the word in our text.

1. It speaks of anger that will not forget, wrath kept warm, feelings that refuse to be pacified, and revenge. This kind of anger “worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).

2. It refuses to forgive. It says, “I just can’t stand that person!” It asserts, “Well, I’ll forgive but I sure won’t forget!” It is sinful to murder.

3. But what of the one who harbors hate in his or her heart? “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). This is the inward step that leads to the outward act!

2. Contempt or scorn is prohibited. If a person does not control his or her anger, it will finally control their tongue.

1. The one he hates will become a topic of conversation. When a person refuses to talk to God about someone who “bugs” them, they usually talks to others about them!

2. Finally, one develops an overestimation of themself. The pride of birth, possessions, position, or knowledge finally causes the angered one to cry out at the one who causes him to be angry, “Raca (rhak-ah') or You empty head !”

3. Personal insult and character assassination are prohibited. At last the angry heart cries out, “Thou fool!”

1. This word is from the root word for immorality. It is used when one wants to murder the character of another with their tongue. James said that the undisciplined tongue is “set on fire by hell” (James 3:6).

4. The only instance in the New Testament in which the feminine ending is given to the word translated “slanderer” is 1 Timothy 3:11. The Greek word for slanderer is also translated “devil.”

1. Paul is teaching that a woman who slanders the character of another is a “she-devil.” It follows, therefore, that a male slanderer is a “he-devil.”

2. These are drastic words! But what do they mean? Paul, James, and Christ Jesus are telling us that the people who seem to glory in character assassination are not the kind of people that will be found in heaven.

3. Their future dwelling place is hell! Gossip, slander, and backbiting are among the most devilish traits possessed by human beings. The writer of Proverbs said, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool” (Prov. 10:18).

4. One of Shakespeare’s characters said, “I will speak daggers to her, but use none” and “Words are razors to my wounded heart.”

II. Anger, contempt, and slander hinder the Christian (vv. 23 – 26).

1. Worship is hindered (vv. 23 – 24). The Christian should take the initiative in reconciliation.

1. If he has wronged another or if another person feels that he has been wronged, the Christian’s only alternative is to be reconciled!

1. Revival would sweep many churches if Christians would not say things behind one another’s backs that they have not said to their faces.

2. A pastor called his church to prayer for revival. “I have done everything I know to do,” he told the congregation. 
   
   
   “There will never be revival in this church until Brother Brown and I speak to each other,” cried one of the church’s deacons. The deacon made his way to a man to whom he had not spoken for ten years. Then both men asked the church to forgive them for their failure.
   
   
   “Pastor, I have been unfair,” said another member. “I have said things about you that were not true, and I want you to forgive me.”
   For several minutes men and women stood to apologize to each other and to the church. The pastor reported that the church soon experienced the greatest revival in its history!

2. Influence is hindered (vv. 25 – 26). Our Lord admonishes us to agree with our adversaries “while thou art in the way” between your house and the courthouse. The Christian who will not be reconciled runs the risk of hurting the influence of the whole church by taking their case to court (1 Cor. 6:1).

Conclusion

But what must the Christian do? The psalmist gives us good advice: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14).

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Watch your thoughts.

2. Refuse to harbor anger.

3. Catch yourself before you speak angrily.

4. Look at others through the eyes of Christ Jesus.

5. Seek the forgiveness of those you have wronged.

6. Commit your heart and tongue to Christ Jesus.

No man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). But God can!