THE WORDS OF CHRIST.
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!”
[Seventh Commandment]
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
An English army-officer in India who had been living an impure life went around one evening to argue religion with the chaplain. During their talk the officer said:
“Religion is all very well, but you must admit that there are difficulties—about the miracles, for instance.”
The chaplain knew the man and his besetting sin, and quietly looking him in the face, answered:
“Yes, there are some things in the Bible not very plain, I admit; but the seventh commandment is very plain.”