“You must not murder.” (Exodus 20:13 NLT)

 

In some translations of the Bible, this verse reads, “Thou shalt not kill.” And that leaves it open to a wide range of interpretations. The commandment obviously forbids the taking of another human life for no justifiable reason. Some people try to stretch that to include any kind of killing. They say all war is wrong. All use of force is wrong. Even the killing of an animal is wrong. But that’s not what this verse is saying.

The best translation is, “Thou shall not murder.” Numbers 35 plainly states the difference that God establishes between killing and murder. All murder, of course, is killing, but all killing is not necessarily murder. There are times when death is permissible, though not desirable.

We can debate the nuances of the commandment all we like. But the words of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount bring it home to us in a very real way. Look at what He said in Matthew 5:21–22: “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (NLT).

“If you are even angry with someone”? That’s a pretty wide net. Many people, in the depths of their hearts, have anger and hatred to such a degree that their true desire is for someone to be dead. And that brings me to this question: Do you feel that way about anyone right now?

You might say, “Well, actually, I do. But, Greg, you don’t know what this person did to me. You don’t know. It’s unforgivable.”

The problem with that justification is that if you say anything is unforgivable, then we are all in deep trouble. As believers, we put a lot of hope in the fact that every sin is forgivable. And we do so justly. God poured His wrath on Jesus as punishment for every sin that has ever been committed so that we can be forgiven of every wrong that we have ever done.

You may be unmoved by that argument. You may say, “No, my hatred is justified. The person deserves to die.” And that may be true in your estimation.

But let me add this. In Deuteronomy 32:35, God says, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (NIV). It is not for us to hate. Our vengeance is flawed; it brings no lasting satisfaction or closure. God’s judgment is perfect. He offers a better alternative to holding on to our hate. In Ephesians 4:31–32, the apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (NLT).

 

Reflection question: Who do you need to forgive instead of hating any longer? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;You must not murder.&rdquo; (Exodus 20:13 NLT)
&nbsp;
In some translations of the Bible, this verse reads, &ldquo;Thou shalt not kill.&rdquo; And that leaves it open to a wide range of interpretations. The commandment obviously forbids the taking of another human life for no justifiable reason. Some people try to stretch that to include any kind of killing. They say all war is wrong. All use of force is wrong. Even the killing of an animal is wrong. But that&rsquo;s not what this verse is saying.
The best translation is, &ldquo;Thou shall not murder.&rdquo; Numbers 35 plainly states the difference that God establishes between killing and murder. All murder, of course, is killing, but all killing is not necessarily murder. There are times when death is permissible, though not desirable.
We can debate the nuances of the commandment all we like. But the words of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount bring it home to us in a very real way. Look at what He said in Matthew 5:21&ndash;22: &ldquo;You have heard that our ancestors were told, &lsquo;You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.&rsquo;&nbsp;But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell&rdquo; (NLT).
&ldquo;If you are even angry with someone&rdquo;? That&rsquo;s a pretty wide net. Many people, in the depths of their hearts, have anger and hatred to such a degree that their true desire is for someone to be dead. And that brings me to this question: Do you feel that way about anyone right now?
You might say, &ldquo;Well, actually, I do. But, Greg, you don&rsquo;t know what this person did to me. You don&rsquo;t know. It&rsquo;s unforgivable.&rdquo;
The problem with that justification is that if you say anything is unforgivable, then we are all in deep trouble. As believers, we put a lot of hope in the fact that every sin is forgivable. And we do so justly. God poured His wrath on Jesus as punishment for every sin that has ever been committed so that we can be forgiven of every wrong that we have ever done.
You may be unmoved by that argument. You may say, &ldquo;No, my hatred is justified. The person deserves to die.&rdquo; And that may be true in your estimation.
But let me add this. In Deuteronomy 32:35, God says, &ldquo;It is mine to avenge; I will repay&rdquo; (NIV). It is not for us to hate. Our vengeance is flawed; it brings no lasting satisfaction or closure. God&rsquo;s judgment is perfect. He offers a better alternative to holding on to our hate. In Ephesians 4:31&ndash;32, the apostle Paul wrote, &ldquo;Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you&rdquo; (NLT).
&nbsp;
Reflection question: Who do you need to forgive instead of hating any longer?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

Forgiveness is always a better solution than hatred.

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