Sins Against People

What difference does it make whether we keep the Golden Rule? The difference between heaven and hell, says Jesus. Should we ignore his advice? or listen to what he has to say?

"An expert in the law tested him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?'

"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" (Matthew 22:35-40)

If we truly love our neighbors as ourselves we will not mistreat them. Brawling, murder, revenge, swindling, and theft are unthinkable. Grumbling, gossiping, insulting, lying, perjuring, quarreling, slandering, and strife in general will never happen. And defrauding, extortion, indecency, provocation, and causing others to sin are repugnant to us.

Physical Abuse

Murder

Clearly, we are not to physically abuse each other. Jesus says unequivocally: Do not murder. Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. (Matthew 5:21) He repeats the warning: If you want eternal life, do not murder. (Matthew 19:16-19) (Mark 10:17-19) (Luke 18:18-20)

What happens to murderers? "Their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

Revenge

Jesus, Paul, and Peter all warn us against it. Jesus issues what may well be the most difficult command in all the Bible when he tells us not to resist those who wrong us. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn and offer him the other one also. (Matthew 5:39)

Does he really want us to do that? Or is this a bit of hyperbole to make the point we should not take revenge?

Paul gives us an order and a reason: "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. " (Romans 12:19-20) He tells the Thessalonians: "Make sure no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

Again Paul: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody." (Romans 12:17)

Peter has a similar comment: "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9)

Theft

We are not to take what does not belong to us: don't steal, don't defraud, don't extort, and don't swindle. Isn't that just saying the obvious for civilized behavior? Yes, but people still do steal, defraud, extort, and swindle. Anyone who is tempted to commit one of these crimes should understand the eternal consequences.

Jesus: If you want eternal life, do not steal. (Matthew 19:16-19) Again Jesus: Theft makes a man unclean. (Matthew 15:18-19) And: If you want eternal life, do not defraud. (Mark 10:18-19)

Paul: Thieves and swindlers do not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10) Paul advises: "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." (Ephesians 4:28)

John the Baptist: "Don't extort money." (Luke 3:14)

Verbal Abuse

Bragging and Boasting

I am sure you have heard the old ditty: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." But it is not true. Words do matter. What you say makes a big difference to God.

James and John both caution us against bragging and boasting.

James: You boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. (James 4:16)

John: Do not love the world or anything in the world. The boasting of what a man has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15-16)

Careless Talk

Carelessness too can be our downfall. Jesus gives us three warnings: "Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)

A second quote from the book of Matthew: "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean." (Matthew 15:11)

Jesus' third quote includes the following explanation: "Things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean." (Matthew 15:18-20)

James offers us this candid bit of advice: "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." (James 1:26) Also see James 3:5, 6, and 8)

Complaining and Grumbling

Paul, James, and Peter tell us to refrain from complaining and grumbling. Paul admonishes us twice: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God." (Philippians 2:14-15)

And: Do not grumble like ancestors who were killed by the destroying angel. (1 Corinthians 10:10)

James warns us: "Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" (James 5:9)

And Peter simply says: "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:9)

Dissensions and Factions

Paul includes dissentions and factions in his category of obvious acts of the sinful nature. The punishment is severe. "Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21) In Romans, he again tells us not to engage in dissension, (Romans 13:13) and in Corinthians, he speaks against factions. (2 Corinthians 12:20)

Gossips

Paul mentioned gossips on several occasions. Here is how he accounts for them. Because man did not see fit to acknowledge God, he gave them over to their own depraved way of thinking and that lead them to all kinds of misconduct. They became gossips, slanderers, and haters of God. (Romans 1:28-30)

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote he was afraid when he came to see them he would find gossip, arrogance, and disorder. (2 Corinthians 12:20) And in 1 Timothy, the apostle cautions the church not to support widows younger than age sixty because they may become idlers, gossips, and busybodies, saying things best left unsaid. (1 Timothy 5:13)

Insults

We should not insult each other. It is one of the numerous obvious truths mentioned throughout the Bible. Insults stir up ill will and the desire to retaliate. Jesus forbids this sin: "Anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." (Matthew 5:22)

Peter gives us this caveat: "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult." (1 Peter 3:9)

Lying

Another obvious sin is lying. Paul simply says, "Do not lie to each other." (Colossians 3:9) In 1 Timothy, he tells us that liars flaunt the sound teaching of the gospel. (1 Timothy 1:8-10) And Jesus states the penalty: "All liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

Well, of course, lying is wrong, but aren't there times when shading the truth a bit might be in the best interest of everyone? That, I believe, depends on what we mean by "shading the truth." Let's say you encounter a very ugly woman. Would your sense of "honesty" compel you to inform her of your opinion?

Nothing is more destructive than brutal "honesty" of that sort. Neither you nor I really want to hear a "truth" that's nothing more than in-your-face-hostility. Only the immature equate rudeness with honesty or tact with lying. Honesty is a requirement, so is kindness. There is little or no conflict between the two. Mature people understand that point.

On the other hand, intentionally distorting or twisting the truth for your own advantage is deception. Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John all condemn that practice. Rarely, if ever, will we find any legitimate reason for distorting the truth. Our intention should always be to speak the truth because we know we must account for everything we say. (Matthew 12:36)

Offensive Talk

Offensive talk in general is counterproductive. Paul orders us to watch our speech. Let there be no more offensive talk but rather words that are helpful. (Ephesians 4:29) Later in the same letter he writes: There must not be any obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking among you. (Ephesians 5:4)

In Colossians, Paul says to rid ourselves of filthy language. (Colossians 3:8) Then in 2 Timothy, he gives us this word of warning: "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 2:16)

Perjury

Perjury means intentionally giving false testimony under oath or withholding material evidence. John the Baptist responded to the solders who had asked his advice: "Don't accuse people falsely." (Luke 3:14)

Jesus says false testimony is a sin that defiles a man. (Matthew 15:18-20) And in three of the gospels he says if you want eternal life, do not give false testimony. (Matthew 19:16-19) (Mark 10:17-19) (Luke 18:18-20)

And Paul adds: Perjurers flaunt the sound teaching of the gospel. (1 Timothy 1:10-11 REB)

Quarreling

Quarreling is yet another verbal offense. In five passages Paul orders us to refrain from quarreling. (Romans 13:13) (1 Corinthians 1:11-17) (2 Corinthians 12:20) (1 Timothy 2:8) (Titus 3:2) Warn your fellow Christians to stop quarreling about mere words. It does no good, and only ruins those who listen. (2 Timothy 2:14)

Again Paul: Avoid foolish controversies, arguments, and quarrels. These are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that have nothing to do with him. Such a man is warped and sinful. (Titus 3:9-10)

Paul also warned the Corinthians against jealousy and quarreling which showed they were worldly. (1 Corinthians 3:3)

Slander

Slander means to say something false attempting to damage another's reputation. Jesus, Paul, James, and Peter all condemn this sin.

Jesus: Slander defiles a person. (Mark 7:22-23 REB)

Paul: Slanderers do not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10) Also see: Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8, Titus 3:2, James 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:1.

At one point or another in our lives we all become painfully aware, we cannot take back what we say. We may regret it; we may apologize for it; but the damage is done. As we mature, we ought to learn to choose our words carefully.

Christians are specifically warned against: boasting and bragging, careless talk, complaining, grumbling, creating dissensions or factions, gossiping, insulting others, lying, offensive talk, perjuring, quarreling, and slandering. Mere words can get us in a lot of trouble -- with eternal consequences.

The New Testament writers mention several other misdeeds which don't fit in either category: physical or verbal abuse. We will just call these offenses: other abuses against people.

Other Abuses Against People

Busybodies

Busybodies are meddlesome people. Paul tells the Thessalonians: Some of you mind everybody's business but your own. We urge you to settle down to work and earn a living. (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

Divorce

Jesus explains the reason why husbands and wives should not separate: "At the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one.' Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate." (Matthew 19:4-6)

Paul adds his advice: "A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife." (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)

In both Mark and Luke, Jesus states it unequivocally: "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." (Mark 10:11-12) (Luke 16:18)

However twice in Matthew, Jesus makes a singular exception: "But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." (Matthew 5:32) (Matthew 19:9)

Indecency or Impurity

Indecency is defined as immodest, obscene, or vulgar behavior. Today such conduct is so common it is almost considered normal or natural. If we notice it at all, we tend to dismiss it as a minor offense. Jesus, Paul, and John disagree. Here is what they have to say:

Jesus: Indecency defiles a person. (Mark 7:21-23 REB)

Paul: Impurity is an act of the sinful nature. Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:19-21)

Again Paul: But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. (Ephesians 5:3) No impure person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5)

Jesus: "But the vile -- Their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)

John: Nothing impure will ever enter heaven nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful. (Revelation 21:27)

Every age reads their own values into Christianity. In a vague, hazy sort of way, we assume God must see things the way we do. That naive sentiment would have God doing a flip flop in his principles every generation or so to keep up with the latest intellectual fad.

A more reasonable view is that God's values are permanent. The writer of Hebrews says that Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) First century Christians were ordered to behave decently; we have no reason to believe less is expected of us today. Jesus, Paul, and John all tell us that indecency is not permitted.

Provoking

Paul urges us: "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:26)

Causing Others to Sin

In Matthew, Jesus warns us twice: "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:7) And: "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)

Details of the Golden Rule

We have covered a long list of do's and don'ts regarding our behavior towards others. What sounds like a cumbersome agenda of rules and regulations really isn't that at all. These dos and don'ts are merely the details filling out the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you would want to be treated. It is simple and covers all the bases.

If you are looking for a new twist on the subject , sorry, I don't have one. But I do have a couple of observations. First, the importance of the Golden Rule cannot be overstated. Here is the very heart and soul of Christianity.

Jesus tells us the first commandment is to love God. How do we love God? By obeying his command. What command. To love our neighbor as our self. How do we do that? By treating them as we would have them treat us. That's it. That's what Christianity is all about.

My second point is: Despite it's importance, few people actually practice it. Oh, occasionally you may run across someone who makes the effort. But they are the exception. Most of us settle for treating other people about the same way they treat us. And we think we are pretty nice folks for doing that much. It's natural enough. But Christianity demands a higher standard.

Someone asked Jesus, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"

He replied, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." (Luke 13:23-24)

In Matthew, Jesus says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

When Jesus speaks of the judgment to come, it becomes clear that the "narrow door," the "small gate," and "narrow road" are all symbols for keeping the Golden Rule. The "wide gate" and the "broad road" are symbols for not doing to others as we would have them do to us. That's the easier, more natural path. And most people follow it.

Here is how Jesus put it: When the Son of Man comes, he will sit on his thrown. All the nations will be before him. He will separate the people one from another. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. . . . Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. . . . Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:31-46)

What difference does it make whether we keep the Golden Rule? The difference between eternal life and eternal punishment, says Jesus.

But does the Golden Rule mean we should rain down sweetness and light on all who come our way? Jesus, Peter, and Paul are clearly not advocating that sort of sentimental mushiness. Remember, Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple with a whip of cords. (John 2:15) And he publicly berated the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and teachers of the law -- often to their face. (Matthew 23:28) (Mark 12:16) (Luke 12:1) Moreover, Jesus warned us not to give dogs what is holy or throw our pearls to pigs. (Matthew 7:6)

As for Peter, he condemned Ananias and Sapphira to death for lying. (Acts 5:1-11) And Paul called Elymas the sorcerer a child of the devil and temporarily blinded him because of his deceit and trickery. (Acts 13:8-11)

Surely God expects us to act with discretion. When charity or goodwill are appropriate, we should give generously. On the other hand, when confronting evil, we must stand with God. Wisdom is understanding what needs to be done. Courage is doing it.

Question to Consider:

C. S. Lewis says we shouldn't worry whether or not we love our neighbors. Just act like we do. In time we will grow to love them. Do you think that might work?

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Plato (428-348 B.C.)

Note: All Scripture References are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.
REB - Revised English Bible