Anger and Hatred
Many terrible things happen because of anger and hatred. One of the worst things that happens is when a murder takes place because of one or both of them. An innocent life is snuffed out in an act of rage or hatred that could have been avoided. It is all so senseless. That is why the Lord gave Moses instructions about murder, and the cities of refuge were set up as places of protection for those who killed someone, but it was not a murder situation. However, God made it clear that any killing from anger or hatred was murder, and it was punishable by the death of the murderer. (Numbers 35:20,21) I believe this is still true for us today, because God still values human life, and He does not mean for us to take a life without the ultimate consequence.
Jesus was very clear in the Sermon on the Mount. He knew the danger of being angry with other people. That is why he said that not only was murder wrong, but it put a person in danger of judgment to be angry with someone without a cause. He knew that anger could lead to murder, so He warned us to stay away from all anger. (Ephesians 4:31,32) Also, Jesus said in the same sermon that we are not to hate our enemies, but to love them. (Matthew 5:43,44) Hatred just makes our situation with other people worse. It does not solve anything. If it gets bad enough, it can lead to murder, as well. We must decide to love those who hurt us and hate us, so that we pray for them and seek to bring them to know the Lord. Then, we can have a close friendship, instead of just making things worse.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 36 and Deuteronomy 1-2.
Jesus was very clear in the Sermon on the Mount. He knew the danger of being angry with other people. That is why he said that not only was murder wrong, but it put a person in danger of judgment to be angry with someone without a cause. He knew that anger could lead to murder, so He warned us to stay away from all anger. (Ephesians 4:31,32) Also, Jesus said in the same sermon that we are not to hate our enemies, but to love them. (Matthew 5:43,44) Hatred just makes our situation with other people worse. It does not solve anything. If it gets bad enough, it can lead to murder, as well. We must decide to love those who hurt us and hate us, so that we pray for them and seek to bring them to know the Lord. Then, we can have a close friendship, instead of just making things worse.
#NHBaptistdotorg
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 36 and Deuteronomy 1-2.