“You shall not murder.”

Exodus 20:13

When we think about the ten commandments we probably breathe a sigh of relief when we read the words above. After all, how many of us have murdered another human being?

But the commandments are not all-inclusive. Jesus expanded the idea during the Sermon on the Mount –

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Matthew 5:21-22

We have an anger problem. From the first murderer, Cain was angry when he struck his brother down. Even if we don’t physically harm others, we can still harbor anger and jealousy in our hearts and it always finds a way to express itself.

In the same passage, Jesus tells us to be reconciled to our brother (or sister). Instead of lashing out in anger, let’s make every effort to live at peace with others.