Changed by His Love
1 John 3:15: Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
To stimulate us still more to love, John shows how detestable hatred is to God. There is no one who does not dread a murderer; we all execrate the very word. But the apostle declares that all who hate their brothers are murderers. He could have said nothing more atrocious; nor is what he says hyperbolical, for those we hate, we wish to perish. It does not matter if we keep our hands from mischief; the very desire to do harm, as well as the attempt, is condemned before God.
Indeed, when we do not ourselves seek to do an injury but wish an evil to happen to our brother from someone else, we are murderers. So then, the apostle defines the thing simply as it is when he ascribes murder to hatred. This proves the folly of people who pay no attention to the crime itself while they despise the word. Why is this? It is because the external face of things engrosses our thoughts; but the inward feeling is called to account before God. Let no one, therefore, minimize any longer such a grievous evil. 1
Loving Him
God is not issuing a carrying permit when it comes to holstering words that murder others. It is time to purify our vocabulary. Words need to seasoned with grace and not poisoned with vindication. It is time for a change. This change should be given the highest priority right now. Repent of a hostile heart. Repent of harsh words. Murderers live in an emotional prison. Repenters are set free from the torment of that prison.
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:15
Loving Others
I think tongue control would be more effective that gun control when it comes to murdering others with words.
Make Me Like You
Lord, forgive me for every unwholesome word that has been on my lips, in my mind, and in my heart.
1. Calvin, J., & Henry, M. (1998). 1, 2, & 3 John. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
