Mental Murder

14 January

Thou shalt not kill. Exodus 20:13

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Genesis 4:3-10

This commandment has two parts: first, that we should not vex, or oppress, or be at enmity with others; and, second, that we should live at peace with others without exciting quarrels. We should aid, as much as possible, those who are unjustly oppressed. And we should strive to resist the wicked lest they injure others. Christ, in teaching the true sense of the law, speaks against those transgressors who have committed murder, saying they are in danger of the judgment. So is anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause. He adds, "Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of hell fire" (Matt. 5:22). Contrary to what some have supposed, Jesus does not offer a new law here, as if to cast blame upon His Father. But He shows the folly and perversity of those interpreters of the law who only insist on the external appearance and husk of things, since the doctrine of God must rather be estimated from a due consideration of His nature.

If a man carries a weapon for a purpose of killing a man, earthly judges will find him guilty of violence. God, who is spiritual lawgiver, goes even further. With Him, anger is a counted as murder; yea, inasmuch as God pierces to the most secret feelings, He holds even concealed hatred to be murder. John writes, "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer" (1 John 3:15); i. e., hatred conceived in the heart is sufficient for his condemnation, although it may not openly appear.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: How can we feel morally superior to murderers? Are not we ourselves often murderers in our thoughts and words?

365 Days With Calvin 

Selected and Compiled by Joel R. Beeke