Christians and the Sixth Commandment

Christians are those who follow—who copy—Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:21; Phil. 2:5). We must ask, “What would He do if He were here today?” Would Christ bear arms and kill His fellow man? Did He teach contrary to the Ten Commandments? Did Paul and John merely record their own opinions about “love,” the law and sin? What did Christ actually teach about fighting, hating and killing?

Jesus was foretold in Isaiah to come and “magnify the law” (Isa 42:21). Is there evidence that He did this?

Matthew 5:21-22 states, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, YOU SHALL 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, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

This is serious instruction! It obviously does expand—magnify—the Sixth Commandment.

Mt 5:38-39 and 43-44 contain more: “You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, that you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also…You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy. But I say unto you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

Three times Christ said, “You have heard,” followed by, “But I say.” Each time, He made the law even more binding. Those who claim to seek God will be unable to explain away the truth of these verses.

How important are these things to God? Mt 5:45 answers: “That you may be the children of your Father…in heaven.” Just like any human parent, God expects His children to obey Him. Christ’s command is so important that it qualifies whom God considers to be His children.

Notice what is at stake for those who ignore and disobey God: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death. WHOSOEVER HATES HIS BROTHER IS A MURDERER: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (I John 3:14-15).

Again, this is a most serious instruction! Ultimately, all violence and aggression come from hate and anger. Christ was very specific about the need to control these attitudes—and what would result if one did not. To merely “love not” another leads to eternal death.

God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him—who have repented of sin. Notice the following account involving John the Baptist: “Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?…and the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:12, 14).

The Old Testament God who thundered from Mount Sinai, “You shall not kill,” is the same God—Jesus Christ!—who thunders the identical command to you and me today. He further commands, “Do violence to no man.”

As a wise instructor once observed, “Christ is pictured as a rebellious young man who came to do away with His Father’s law.” Yet, the opposite is true.

Here is one more proof that Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament. Paul wrote, “And [Israel] did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual ROCK that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I Cor. 10:4). Theologians and religionists try to place Christ in conflict with—in opposition to—the God of the Old Testament. How absurd!

When David referred to God as “my Rock,” he meant the New Testament Jesus Christ. Moses was given the Ten Commandments by Christ, and Abraham talked with Him face-to-face (Ex. 3:14; John 8:58).

From the Book of Proverbs

There are many proverbs on the subject of anger, strife and hate, and they become their own vital, longer Bible study. Anger is not condemned as a sin, but is a frame of mind that can easily lead to sin if allowed to fester. There are passages that explain anger might, on relatively rare occasion, have a place. Ephesians 4:26 states, “Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”

The following proverbs explain the dangers of harbouring anger and wrath:

“He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbour: but a man of understanding holds his peace” (Prov 11:12).

“A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame” (Prov 12:16).

“He that is soon angry deals foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated” (Prov 14:17).

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly” (Prov 14:29).

Also read Proverbs 15:18; 16:32; 17:14, 19; 18:19; 19:11, 19; 20:3, 22; 22:10, 24-25; 25:8,28; 29:10, 22.