# 287 - Today's Living Word comes from Mark 3:6, “Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.”
Do you have to physically kill someone to destroy them? The Greek word used here definitely speaks of physical destruction, and of course that's why the Pharisees decide to buddy up with the Herodians. They had the pull to get it done.
If you doubt that, think of what Herod was able to do to John the Baptist. But the word destroy here can also mean to mar. And this was still another tactic the Pharisees used in their attempts to destroy Jesus. They tried name calling, accusing Him of being a winebibber. They tried to alienate Him from others by forcing Him to take sides. “Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar or not?” It was their life's mission to seek to ruin His reputation with the people and thus “destroy” Him.
When all that failed, they resorted to killing Him.
Do you see now, why Jesus equates character assassination with murder? “Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment, but I say to you whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” (Mt 5:21,22)
Think about that before your tongue begins to wag with others around the electronic water cooler of Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace, or over the back fence, or in your church. Think about that before you let loose with words designed to destroy someone's character.
Luther's explanation of the 8th Commandment says it best, “ We should fear and love God so that we do not deceitfully lie about, betray. Backbite, nor slander our neighbor BUT DEFEND HIM, SPEAK WELL OF HIM, AND PUT THE MOST CHARITABLE CONSTRUCTION ON ALL THAT HE DOES.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s today’s Living Word.
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