You shall not murder. Deuteronomy 5:17
Seems straightforward, but the enemy wants to twist every instruction from God. Many have translated ‘murder’ as ‘kill’. Let’s look at the Hebrew.
The word(s) ‘murder’ here are רָצַח ratsach (raw-tsakh’) meaning to murder, slay. There is obviously intent and planning meant here and not a random self defense action. This action of ‘murder’ would be put in the same category as adultery and theft which are very premeditated acts / sins. Someone sets out to commit murder. Someone killed in a self defense action is very different as it goes to the intent of the heart of the individual.
But of course I can’t just leave it here.. because Jesus took the step beyond the ‘law’ into the very heart of the human being.
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:21-24
Do you allow thoughts of harm swirl in your mind towards a person that just hurt you? Do you plan out things in your mind on how to get revenge on that person? Of course all of this is just in your ‘mind’. But Jesus… points to those things that keep that anger stirring in our hearts. Here the practice of forgiving others as Jesus taught His disciples must be learned by much repetition.
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22
How are these things actually done? How does one actually come to remove these issues of anger and rash outbreaks against others? There really is only one solution that I know really that works longterm. And that is the very Presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling within a person. He works to change our very character into the ‘planned’ default the Father intended for us, which would make us like Jesus in nature. It’s the Fruit of the Holy Spirit grown to maturity in our lives which allows us to overcome the base nature of our flesh and reactions. Forgiving those who are not repentant in any way, or who refuse to acknowledge their own sinful deeds is a God quality, as described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. This takes the very power and heart of God, and for us that would mean being able to receive it THROUGH the Holy Spirit’s guidance, instruction, correction, and impartation. If you don’t converse and learn directly from the Holy Spirit the road to real change is long and painful and the destination may never be reached.
What offenses are you still holding in your heart towards another individual that you need to clear out of you heart? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you. Then quickly forgive them by speaking the words out loud in the very Presence of God. Then ask God to heal your heart. Why out loud? Making the words take actual shape with sound has more effect in the atmosphere and in us than we actually understand. Spoken words out loud we can actually begin to hear ‘intent’. Sure there are great liars that can make it sound ‘good’, but God knows our heart, and when we confess it must come from a right heart motivation. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your Guide in these things.