“I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother “idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell “stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.” – Matthew 5:22 (MSB)

One of the important things Jesus came to do was to simplify and clarify, with terms to the true intentions of God, the Laws of the Old Testament. The bogus façade of the Old Testament Laws made it look like it was impossible or to categorize some people into groups that are meant to be non-existent.

For instance, when the Law says, “You shall not commit murder”, what it means to the lay men is that you shall not engage in any deliberate act of violence that will result to the death of another. What this means is that, inasmuch as it is not battle, you shall not kill, and even if someone did something liable to death as punishment, you shall not judge such person yourself but bring him to those appointed for the purpose.

But Christ came to further deepen the significance of this Law with more clarifying explanations. Being disciples doesn’t make us angels but we are still humans and this means we are liable to offend and be offended but in all of this, we are actively learning the ways of Christ. There are a lot of ways the devil wreak havoc today in and through believers which is through the words we speak.

Many Christians have forgotten that there is power in our tongues and the words we speak have the ability to kill or make alive. Jesus never ruled it out that Believers won’t be offended at other people but He is teaching us that, even in this position, we must never allow our tongues to be misused.

You cannot curse people with the same tongue you use to pray to God. Using your tongue negatively is the same as launching a weapon of mass destruction against your fellows. Also, you cannot harbor malice and anger in the same heart that is supposed to be pure and holy before God and expect to see Him.

Have you ever been in a position where someone offends you and you’ve resorted to not relating with the person and allowed unforgiveness to take root in your heart? Christ is teaching you today to forgive and let go of bitterness and anger towards the other person.

You must know that there are many murderers in Church today who have killed many in their hearts with their tongues. You must make a decision to live differently and not allow the devil rule through you in any way. As you forgive me in your hearts, speak words that bring to life and not words that kill. You must be mindful of your words and not allow emotions make you speak negativity. A lot of lives would be preserved if believers learn to speak right and think right towards others. You shall not commit murder, not with physical weapons alone, but with your tongue as well. Blessings.

Practical Application: Can you bring to mind a word that was spoken to you that brought down your spirit? How did you deal with it?

Confession: The words of Christ dwell in me richly in me in all wisdom and they shape how I speak to people. My words is full of grace and hope to my hearers.

Related Scriptures: Matthew 5:21-26

Bible Reading: Colossians 3