The Small Catechism – part 69
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 15:18–19
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Click for a recording of today's lesson.
From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, The Fifth Commandment
You shall not kill.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do our neighbors no bodily harm nor cause them any suffering, but help and befriend them in every need.
Pulling It Together: A mountain seems to stand steadfastly — until the plates far beneath the surface shift. Not murdering someone seems simpler to pull off than not saying something nasty. It seems far easier to make the decision to not strike someone with a fist than it is to hold back emotions. It would seem so. Here is the rub: all these actions originate from the same source. It is not easy to not do any of these things once the heart has moved the thought, the word, the rage, the fist — or worse.
Instead of changing the act, we should change the source of the action. Guard the heart and you stand a better chance of holding back the anger (Proverbs 4:23; Philippians 4:7). It is the heart that controls the lips and the fists. So, make your decision now, to guard your heart, and later, in the heat of the moment, the outward action will match the inner source, where there is already either peace or violence lying in wait.
Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.
Share this post
Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
Click Here For Content Archives