Let us look once again at the Sermon on the Mount, that men think so
much of, and see what Christ had to say: "Ye have heard that it has
been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever
shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you,
that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in
danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca,
(an expression of contempt), shall be in danger of the council: but
whosoever shall say, Thou fool, (an expression of condemnation), shall
be in danger of hell fire." "Three degrees of murderous guilt," as has
been said, "all of which can be manifested without a blow being
struck; secret anger--the spiteful jeer--the open, unrestrained
outburst of violent abusive speech."
Again, what does John say? "Whosoever hateth his brother is a
murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in
him."
Did you ever in your heart wish a man dead? That was murder. Did you
ever get so angry that you wished any one harm? Then you are guilty. I
may be addressing some one who is cultivating an unforgiving spirit.
That is the spirit of the murderer, and needs to be rooted out of your
heart.
We can only read man's acts--what they have done. God looks down into
the heart. That is the birthplace and home of the evil desires and
intentions that lead to the transgression of all God's laws.
Listen once more to the words of Jesus: "From within, out of the heart
of men, proceed evil thoughts--adulteries--fornications--murders
--thefts--covetousness--wickedness--deceit--lasciviousness--an evil
eye--blasphemy--pride--foolishness. . . ."
May God purge our hearts of these evil things, if we are harboring
them! Ah, if many of us were weighed now, we should find Belshazzar's
doom written against us--"Tekel--wanting!"