“You shall not covet” (part one)

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." Exodus 20:17

“You shall not covet.”  This is the tenth of the Ten Commandments.  The first point we will consider, though it is not the most important, is logistical.

You may remember that when we considered the first and second commandments, we pointed out that the Roman Catholic church combines the second commandment, prohibiting idolatry, into the first commandment, which prohibits having any gods besides God.  In order to accomplish this and still have ten commandments, the Roman church splits the tenth commandment, prohibiting covetousness, into two commandments.  In their list, the ninth commandment is about coveting one’s neighbor’s wife, and the tenth is about coveting one’s neighbor’s goods.  Click Here to read the Catholic list on a Catholic website.

We want to be careful about assigning motive to what others do when they do not specifically reveal their intentions.  However, Protestants have generally agreed that the Catholic church’s change to the Ten Commandments was motivated by a desire get rid of the second commandment prohibiting idolatry, since the Roman Catholic church uses many images in their worship.

Not only is it a mistake to combine the first two commandments into one, it is likewise a mistake to divide the tenth commandment into two. Why?  Because the problem of coveting is not what one covets, but that one covets!

"You shall not bear false witness" (part six)

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16

We’ll end our considerations on the ninth commandment with thoughts regarding how much God hates lying (and other sins of the tongue).

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19

Of the seven things God says are an abomination to Him, note that number two and number six are about how He hates lying. Not also that number seven is nearly always the result of sinful talking.

Note also the severe damage even a few words unfitly spoken frequently cause.

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
James 3:2-9

How then shall we speak?

Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. "Be angry and sin do not sin'“: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil… Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers... Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:25-6, 29, 31-32

"You shall not bear false witness" (part five)

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16

Are there ever times when it is acceptable for a believer to lie? Some exceptions are obvious. Telling a person you are taking them one place when you are taking them to their surprise birthday party is appropriate, and does not rise to the level of lying sinfully.

But what about other ways that we might speak untruthfully for the sake of concealing the truth? What if you were hiding Jews during the WWII holocaust? What if you were smuggling Bibles to persecuted Christians? What if you were one of the midwives, in Exodus 1:17-21, who lied to the Pharaoh to save the lives of babies, including Moses?

Pastor and theologian Sam Storms explains the difference between when a falsehood is a lie and when a falsehood may not be a lie:

…not all falsehoods are lies. A lie is an intentional falsehood that violates someone’s right to know the truth. But there are cases in which people forfeit their right to know the truth. A lie is telling an untruth to someone to whom you are morally and legally obligated to speak the truth. There are, however, certain occasions in which you are not under obligation to tell someone the truth (e.g., in times of war, criminal assault, and so on.).

This may appear to some as a distinction without a difference (which is generally considered a logical fallacy). However, I think in this case it serves a legitimate purpose. We must be careful not to lie because God is truth. But there are times… and let us understand that those times are very few and very far between. I cannot say it is okay to lie because I think it is okay in this case!

May I encourage you to read Dr. Storms’ blog on this matter.
Click Here to read Sam Storms’ piece.

In addition, there is an even shorter piece on the Ligonier website in which this topic is discussed, including a warning not to think breaking God’s Law is okay because you think it is okay.
Click Here to read the Ligonier piece.

For comparison’s sake, this blog is about 400 words long. Storms’ blog is 1128 words long. The Ligonier piece is 747 words long.

"You shall not bear false witness" (part four)

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16

Here are three ways we sometimes manipulate the truth, but do not think of it as lying.

Exaggerating the story. Exaggerating can be done in two ways; one is okay, and one is not.

• The way that is okay is called hyperbole. Hyperbole is obvious exaggeration to make a point. To truly be hyperbole, the exaggeration must be so obvious that no one is deceived into thinking what we have said should be taken literally. An example of this is when Jesus said if our eye causes us to sin, gouge it out (Matthew 5:29). Obviously, Jesus did not intend those words to be taken literally. They were hyperbole, intended to underscore how seriously we are to wage war against our sin.

• Exaggeration is lying when we are weighting the facts to mislead or deceive—often for shock value. Some are so given to this, that those who know them are used to routinely disbelieving them, while others are being deceived, making the exaggeration a lie.

Withholding some of the story. Sometimes people leave out parts of a story to mislead their hearers. They assure themselves that they haven’t actually “lied,” but if the parts of the story that were left out mislead the hearers, silence is lying. By way of balance, this does not mean we have to tell everyone everything we know all the time. Leaving out what is not important is not bad. Those who insist on telling every minute detail often make the story tedious and even boring!

Spinning the story. We all have a tendency to relay stories in a way that puts us, and those we love, in the best possible light. But when we embellish our stories, by either adding to or leaving out the actual facts to spin the story, we are lying.

Let us beware of these kinds of lies that we seldom think of as lies.

Next time: Ethics of lying for good purposes?

"You shall not bear false witness" (part three)

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16

The commandment forbids bearing false witness against one’s neighbor. Here are some ways in which we sometimes do that without thinking of it as breaking the commandment.

We can break the ninth commandment through slander, tale-bearing, creating false impressions, by silence, or even by flattery.

Slander may seem obviously out of bounds, but what if the person speaking believes what is being said is actually true? First, let us avoid speaking ill of people whether what we are saying is true or not! Second, how often do we assume something is true because someone else said so? Third, before repeating what others have negatively said of another person, we should not repeat what was said unless we know it to be true—not merely because someone else said so. And if the investigation into the truthfulness of a matter is too arduous, it is better to refrain from repeating the matter as a tale-bearer.

A great rule of thumb is don’t say anything negative about a person that you wouldn’t say to the person. Let us ask ourselves why we want to speak about a person but not to that person.

How can silence be a sin? Listening to slander, even silently, is often a sin when the right thing to do would be to silence the malicious talk, and/or by defending the one being maligned. A simple way to positively break silence—to diffuse what is likely sinful, negative talk about another—is to ask the one who is speaking, “How do you know this is true?” Or, “Have you spoken with the person about this?” And be careful not to break silence in a self-righteous manner.

Flattery is different from paying someone a compliment. A well deserved compliment is a wonderful way to encourage one another, but it can also cross the line, becoming injurious flattery. Flattery is a compliment that goes overboard. Flattery seeks arouse another’s pride. Flattery is often intended to get on a person’s good side in hopes of what that person will do for you. Flattery is mentioned negatively eight times in Proverbs. Let us not only refrain from flattery, but refuse to listen to, and deceived by it!

Next up: Lying that doesn’t seem like lying.

"You shall not bear false witness" (part two)

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16

The commandment forbids bearing false witness against one’s neighbor. Here are two thoughts:

Who is my neighbor? According to Jesus, the two greatest commandments are: (1) Love God, and (2) Love our neighbors (Matthew 22:36-37). Jesus answered the question about who is our neighbor with the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). The point of the story in answering the question, who is my neighbor, is anyone and everyone, including one’s enemy. (The Jews and the Samaritans were enemies.)

Therefore lying to or about anyone (including ones enemy), breaks this commandment.

Is it possible be guilty of lying while not specifically speaking against another person? In a word, Yes. We are lying when we speak lies, whether they are to or about another person or persons. Our culture, under Satanic delusion, believes and broadcasts all sorts of lies that are not necessarily to or about specific people or persons. Examples include lies such as “God does not exist.” “There are more than two genders and people can change genders at will.” “Killing a baby in its mother’s womb is about women’s healthcare.” These are lies. Believing and speaking is not merely a matter of opinion. It is lying because it is contrary to truth.

The most powerful way to protect ourselves from these kinds of lies is to know the Word of God (which is truth), measure every thought and word against the truth of God’s Word, and reject all lies in favor of God’s truth. Be prepared, however. Because our world has listened to, believed, and celebrated so many lies, you will be labeled as a hater, when in reality you will be a lover of truth.

Next time: examples of lying.

"You shall not bear false witness" (part one)

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:16

While the words used to state this commandment sound more as though they are about lying in a court of law (particularly when under oath), the commandment is much broader and more comprehensive than that. It is been nearly universally understood to be “do not lie,” or stated positively, “tell the truth.”

Lying, or in any way not being truthful, is particularly sinister since breaking this command is a sin against God Himself. Of course, breaking any of the commands is primarily a sin against God, since they are His commands. But lying is a sis against the person and nature of God, since God IS truth.

Besides the clear declaration by Jesus of Himself, “I and the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), God is not only truthful, He IS truth. Not not only does He not lie, He cannot lie, since He would then be acting contrary to His nature. (See Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, and Hebrews 6:18.)

This is in direct contrast to Satan.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

And while any and every sin is enough to condemn a person to Hell, the Bible names lying in particular as being damnable (Revelation 21:18).

Next time: Who is my neighbor?

"You shall not steal." (part five)

"You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

In a common approach to evangelism, the person sharing the gospel ask, “Do you consider yourself a good person?” Most respond affirmatively. The evangelist then asks if the person would answer a few questions to see if that is true. If the person agrees, the person sharing his faith asks several questions to expose the fact that we have all broken the Ten Commandments. The question about stealing is often framed like this: “Have you ever taken anything that was not yours—regardless of the thing’s value?”

While some try to insist that they’ve never stolen anything, the vast majority will acquiesce, admitting that they have. The evangelist then says something like this, “Then by your own admission you are a thief (as well as any others of the commandments the person admits to breaking).”

The next question is, “If God were to judge you based only on the few of His commandments you admit to have broken, would you be guilty or innocent?”

The purpose of this exercise is to help the person see that before God, he is guilty. Because he is guilty, he is in need of forgiveness. As Christians we know that the only one who can forgive sins is God, and we know that the way God forgives sin is not to look the other way, but to accept the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as payment in full for our sin debt.

No matter how inconsequential what we have stolen, we are all thieves and therefore guilty before God for having broken His law. I pray that you understand your guilt, your need of a Savior, and that Jesus is the one and only Savior in whom there is forgiveness of sin.

If you have trusted in Christ for forgiveness and are seeking to follow Him as Lord, praise God!

If you haven’t, won’t you do so beginning today? Please?

"You shall not steal." (part four)

"You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

When it comes to stealing, not a few imagine that it is only “stealing” if it is a criminal act like robbing a bank. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth.

In a sit-com years ago, a man was being confronted by his son-in-law about some things the man “took from work.” The guilty man insisted that, “It’s not stealing, it’s just—taking things from work!” Sorry Archie, it’s stealing!

There is also a rationalization regarding stealing, that if it is not taking something from someone in particular, it isn’t stealing. For example, cheating on taxes isn’t thought to be stealing because “the government will never miss it.” Not saying anything when being undercharged at a store or a fast food restaurant isn’t thought to be stealing either. Instead, “It’s my lucky day!”

And there is getting paid a full day’s pay for a day of fooling around. That isn’t thought by many to be stealing either. Isn’t taking agreed-upon money and not giving agreed-upon work, stealing?

What could be said about those who are happy to sue others over frivolous matters for outrageous sums, hoping to walk away with a pocket full of money? How insidious is it to steal in the name of “justice”?

Other examples could be given, but I’m sure the point has been made. Taking anything that isn’t mine is stealing. And like every other sin, even if we are aware of no identifiable victim, it is a sin against God since it is God’s law that we are breaking.

"You shall not steal." (part three)

"You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

For those who are concerned for the legitimately poor—and all followers of Jesus should—God’s answer in scripture is never taxation and redistribution, but charitable contribution. Paul told believers,

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Ephesians 4:28

The answer is never to steal. The answer is work. And work not merely to provide for oneself (as important as that is), but to have something to give to those in need.

Are we to pay taxes to our governments? Yes, regardless of what they do with the tax revenue they collect. Jesus told us to give to Caesar [government] what belongs to Caesar, and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17). Just as we are responsible to God, so is the government, and they will answer for any and all exploitation of those they govern.

Don’t miss the second part of Jesus’ words. We are to give to God what belongs to God. What is God’s that we are to give Him? The complete answer to that is beyond the scope of this blog, so here is an abridged list: Just as our money is stamped with the images of government officials, every human being is stamped with the image and likeness of God. So we are to give ourselves to God. All of ourselves. Our hearts, our affections, our attention, our obedience, and yes, a portion of our money, remembering that Jesus also sai, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). And speaking of stealing, the prophet Malachi chided the people of God in his day, that withholding our tithes is nothing short of robbing God (Malachi 3:8).

"You shall not steal." (part two)

"You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

As we began considering the commandment not to steal, we noted that it is easily understood: Don’t take anything that belongs to another. We then considered that a prohibition against taking what belongs to another affirms the right of private ownership of property and other assets.

This time let’s consider how one comes to possess assets. God’s ordained method of acquiring possessions is work (Genesis 2:15, 3:17-19). Before moving forward, however, from a biblical perspective, it is essential that we understand that everything belongs to God since He created everything. Biblically, our ownership is more literally our stewardship of what belongs to God. And as we learn from the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), we will all have to give an account of our stewardship of our Master’s goods!

Another lesson to be learned from that same parable is that we need to be OK with the fact that not everyone has the same amount of wealth. There are two reasons why we do not all possess the same amount of wealth. (1) God sovereignly entrusts differing amounts of assets to each of His stewards. (2) Not every steward is equally adept at growing what he has been given to manage. That is due to a number of considerations. We are entrusted with different assets in the first place. Some invest more wisely, and frankly, some simply work more diligently.

One of Satan’s favorite ways to disrupt society is through inciting people to break the tenth commandment: coveting. We will consider that in greater depth when we get to that commandment, but in the current context, class warfare (insisting that the rich have too much and the wealth needs to be more evenly distributed), is nothing short of blatant sin!

It is sin because it is coveting. It is stealing because it accuses God of injustice by not giving everyone their “fair share.” It is sin because it advocates stealing from the rich to give to the poor—even though it depends on the government to do our stealing for us!

God’s way of assisting the legitimately poor is through charitable giving. Taxation and redistribution of wealth is not charitable giving. I trust you can understand why!

"You shall not steal." (part one)

"You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

At face value the eighth commandment is quite simple and not complicated at all. No one is to take what belongs to another. What thinking person cannot understand that? But there are other considerations that are behind the commandment prohibiting stealing. Here is one.

The commandment supports the right of private ownership of property and other assets. Economic and political ideologies that are opposed to the private ownership are therefore opposed to God’s Word and are wrong. These would include socialism, communism, and fascism.

• Socialism says everything belongs to everyone equally.

• Communism says everything belongs to, and is controlled by the government.

• Fascism says people are allowed to own things, but the government dictates what people can do with what “belongs” to them.

Though these definitions are regrettably brief, I trust you can see that in each, people do not have the right to own, and do with what they own, as they will. These are in direct opposition to the right of private ownership, which is at the heart of the command not to take what belongs to another.

Next time: The right of private ownership carries with it the responsibility to work, and the reality that not all will have equal shares of wealth.

“You shall not commit adultery.” (part five)

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

Because sexual intimacy is ordained by God to only be enjoyed in biblical marriage, a word for both singles and married couples.

Single people: Do not believe the world’s lies that sex outside of marriage is permissible and perfectly alright. God’s Word says otherwise. Waiting until marriage is not a quaint old idea to be disregarded. It is God’s will. So, be serious about marriage. Plan for marriage. Marry according to God’s will. Instead of giving into sexual desires before marriage, get married and have a family (1 Corinthians 7:8-9).

Married couples: Remain committed to each other in this aspect of marriage according to 1 Corinthians 7:1-5. And understand that with age, and or physical limitations, this aspect of marriage may change. Contrary to the world’s delusion, sex is not the chief end of life, or even of marriage.

Lord, may we not be conformed to this sin-sick world, but rather, may we constantly be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Have mercy on us, protecting us and our families as we live in this world. May we be salt and light in our world as we remain committed to living according to Your will as revealed in Your Word. Amen.

“You shall not commit adultery.” (part four)

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

Sex is not intrinsically bad. Sexual sin is the misuse or perversion of what is good. God ordained human sexual intimacy for procreation. He also made it pleasurable. But He ordained an all-important guideline that, if not obeyed, makes sexual intimacy sinful. That guideline is that sexual intimacy is to be practiced only within the confines of marriage. And He ordained marriage to be between one man and one woman who are married to each other. Any and every form of sexual intimacy that is outside of marriage as God defines it is sinful.

How sad that we live in a day and age in which that is no longer commonly understood. But we do, so it needs to be stated. Our sinfully perverted culture has veered so far from understanding and accepting this truth, many not only celebrate sexual sin, but vilify those do not join their celebration.

This widespread rejection of God’s law and celebration of sin makes it even more difficult to stay pure because perversions of God’s gift of sexuality accost our eyes and ears virtually everywhere. So how do we stay pure? Let us:

• Know, believe, and be reminded of God’s will in this matter.

• Do our best to avoid temptation, realizing that it is almost always everywhere in popular culture.

• Confess sin and any particular weaknesses to temptation in this matter.

• Pray, asking God for His grace to remain pure.

Next time: a word for both singles and married couples.

“You shall not commit adultery.” (part three)

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

Jesus was asked about divorce in Matthew 19. The question, like so many posed to Jesus by His enemies, was not asked in hopes of learning from Jesus. They were “testing Him” (v.3) in hopes of tripping Him up into saying something they could use against Him. Of course, the Son of God can’t be tricked or trapped by His words.

The question was about divorce, which the religionists had twisted to allow a man to divorce his wife for “any reason” which means no reason at all. Note the following about Jesus’ answer:

He referred back to creation to get to God’s original intent (v.4-6), explaining that divorce was not part of God’s original intent. He made it clear that God joins a man and a woman (and only one man and one woman) in marriage, and that they two are not to be separated by divorce.

Jesus’ detractors further questioned why “Moses [God speaking through Moses] commanded divorce” (v.7). To which Jesus made it clear that divorce was not commanded, as though God was for it (v.8). Rather, God allowed divorce because He knows how much unfaithfulness hurts the one sinned against, since all our sins are unfaithfulness to Him. And knowing how people who have been victims of sexual unfaithfulness find it so incredibly difficult to forgive, God allowed divorce in cases of marital infidelity.

Don’t miss, however, that the better option is to—like God does with us more times than we can count—forgive an unfaithful spouse. But when a person cannot forgive, adultery is an allowable (not a mandated) grounds for divorce (v.8).

To summarize further, though forgiveness is greatly to be preferred, divorce is permissible as a grounds for divorce. There are many more nuances that must be considered regarding adultery, marriage, and divorce which must be explored in detail, and usually with the help of a biblical counselor, on a case by case basis, but that is beyond the scope of this consideration of the seventh commandment.

Next time: biblical protections against sexual infidelity.

“You shall not commit adultery.” (part two)

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

There is a technical difference between adultery and fornication. Technically, adultery is about unfaithfulness of married people to their spouses. Fornication a broader term referring to sexual activity that is not associated with marriage. With all due respect, this is a distinction without a difference as an attempt to create a loophole to allow for sexual sin involving unmarried people.

The fact is, God created human beings male and female and established marriage between one man and one woman as the only place in which sexual intimacy is allowed (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:22-25). Therefore ANY sexual activity outside of marriage is a violation of the sixth commandment. That is obvious for married people. Unmarried people engaging in sexual activity are still violating the commandment because they are violating the sanctity of marriage, by engaging in sex outside of marriage. This too perverts the marriage parable about Christ’s relationship to His Bride, the Church.

I will not include a list of the kinds of sexual activity that qualifies as adultery except to say:

1. ANY sexual activity that is not between one man and one woman who are married to each other.

2. Extramarital sexual thoughts, even if they do not become actions, as per Jesus’ in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:27-28) is sin.

Last thought. Virtually everyone who is honest will have to admit guilt before the Lord in this matter. Confess your sin and be forgiven. Cry out to the Lord, repent, and sin no more! (John 8:3-11).

Next time: What about adultery as a grounds for divorce?

“You shall not commit adultery.” (part one)

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

Right out of the gate, let’s understand the number one reason for the prohibition of adultery. The greatest spiritual reason for marriage is that it is a living parable of the love relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church. Adultery is a perversion of marriage as God has ordained it, and therefore a perversion of the parable of the love relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

Throughout the Old Testament God called His people’s spiritual unfaithfulness to Him “adultery.” It is worth noting that He is never unfaithful to His Bride. Every time we sin, as individuals, and collectively as His Bride, we are guilty of spiritual unfaithfulness to Him.

Besides this all-important spiritual understanding of adultery, all unfaithfulness to one’s husband or wife is adultery. Do you remember that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus set the bar higher regarding murder (to include sinful hatred)? Jesus likewise set the bar higher regarding adultery.

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

Unfaithfulness in marriage is not limited to physical acts of sexual unfaithfulness, but include the thoughts and intentions of the heart. My guess is that this means many more, if not all of us, are guilty of adultery (unfaithfulness) in marriage. This universal guilt does not make the guilty less guilty. Rather, it reminds us of (a) how much we need a Savior who forgives our sins; and (b) how much we need to forgive when we have been sinned against.

Next time: The relationship between adultery and all other kinds of sexual sin.

"You shall not murder.” (part seven)

"You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

We began last time considering our Lord’s words that hatred is as the sin of murder. We brought up the fact that while murder and hatred are equally damning in the eyes of God, they are not equally damaging to ourselves and to others. This time, let’s ask and attempt to answer the question, “Is all hatred sin?” The answer is NO. Here are two reasons and two warnings:

Reason #1: All hatred is not sin because God hates, and He is not a sinner. Proverbs 6:16-19 list seven sins God hates. This is not an exhaustive list, friends. God, who infinitely loves holiness, infinitely does not love (hates) all that is unholy. So, that God hates proves that not all hatred is sin.

Reason #2: In Psalm 139:21-22, David righteously hated what God hates. So there may be times when the godly experience “righteous indignation” at what God hates. So, again, not all hatred is sin.

Warning #1: God is holy, so His hatred of what is unholy is not sin. But lest we forget, we are not God, and therefore not holy (as God is holy), and therefore our hatred is not always holy. In fact, because sin so permeates our hearts and minds, our hatred is much more likely to be “unrighteous indignation” and therefore sinful. In fact, we can even hate what God hates, but do so in an unrighteous (sinfully self-righteous) manner. We must, therefore, be skeptical about assuming that our hatred is righteous.

Warning #2: We are probably wise to do our dead level best not to hate sins other than our own. Let us concern ourselves with the planks in our own eyes, and in most cases, leave the splinters in other people’s eyes to God.

"You shall not murder.” (part six)

"You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

How are we to understand Jesus’ commentary on the sixth commandment regarding murder? Is there no difference between the act of murder and hateful thoughts? Yes, and no.

There is a clear difference between the two than can be summed up with the familiar words, “All sin is equally damning, but all sin is not equally damaging.” No thinking person could fail to see that more damage is done by murdering a person than by hating that person. Murder ends another’s life. Hate does not. Murder affects all who knew and loved the person who was murdered, hatred does not. In that sense, clearly, murder is more damaging than hatred, on a human level.

On a personal level, hatred certainly does damage the hater—usually much more than the hated. Hatred and its twin, bitterness, eats away at the souls of the hater.

But on a spiritual level, murder and hatred are equally damning—as are each and every sin ever committed. That’s right, every sin, great or small in our eyes, is a sin against God and deserving of His judgment, condemnation and wrath. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and “The wages of sin [any and all sin] is death” (Romans 3:23, 6:23).

Let us not think that the sins we commit that are not as damaging are any less damning.

Is all hatred sin? Next time…

"You shall not murder.” (part five)

"You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus reveals “the spirit if the law,” in contrast with the stark “letter of the law.” Instead of dismissing the Law, He states the timelessness of the Law.

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ” Matthew 5:17-19

Far from lowering the bar of righteousness, He reveals the much higher standard of God’s law.

“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

He then illustrated His point by explaining Himself using several Old Testament laws. The first such example He pointed to was “You shall not murder.”

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:21-22

With these words Jesus made it clear that while actions are important, the thoughts and intentions of the heart are equally important, since what we do, for better or worse, begins in our hearts and minds.

Is the act of murder, therefore, no different than hateful thoughts? Check back next time…