Sixth Commandment "You shall not murder."

Okay let me fess up; I am innocent on this commandment. I never killed anyone or intend to kill anyone. Like the Pharisees, I am clean in regards to this law. That is until I dig deeper in how Jesus expanded this commandment.

Have you ever been so angry with someone you boiled inside? The more you thought about them the angrier you became. Then you blurt out something like, "I wish you were..." you can fill in the blank.

Anger in this case is boiling over seething bitterness against a person. When our anger leaps out of control like this, it can lead to emotional hurt, mental stress, spiritual damage, or even violence. Our world tells us we have a right to be angry. That person hurt us, get even. At times, I have fallen into this trap.

This is in complete contrast of how God wants us to act. It is displeasing to God and violates the command Jesus gave us to love one another. Following what Jesus tells us has a different effect on our lives than doing what the world thinks we should do.

The world says get even with the ones who hurt us. Jesus instructs us in Matthew 5:44 to pray for those who harm us. When we pray for the ones who harm us, we are obeying God's command to love one another. Love is an action word and praying for others is taking action.

Along with practicing self-control, Jesus wants us to practice thought-control. The Psalmist writes in Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. What overflows from our heart comes out in our speech and actions. What is going into your heart? God knows your thoughts. He knows your heart. God sees the motives as well as the actions.

Whom do you hurt when you are boiling angry? Most of the time, you only hurt yourself. Carrying this anger around is like a cancer eating away inside of you.

Is your anger trying to tell you something? Is there something deep in the corners of your heart that has you upset? Are you angry with someone? Have you hidden something destructive in your heart and will not let it go? How long will you hold onto it and let it hurt you? When are you going to let it go?

Paul suggest in Philippians 4:8 to center our thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Filling our hearts and minds with these thoughts will guide our words and actions along the path God wants us to travel.

You can do something about it. Turn it over to God and practice not only self-control but also thought-control. Think on the characteristics Paul suggests. You will begin to see yourself responding the way God wants you too and not the way the world thinks you should.