Anger That Kills

               Having been wiped out at a poker game with Wild Bill Hickok, Jack McCall felt insulted as Hickok offered to buy him breakfast.  McCall left the game in anger and proceeded to get drunk.  The next day, still seething with hatred towards Will Bill, McCall walked up to Hickok while he was playing another game of poker and shot him in the back of the head.  This famous murder in Deadwood in 1876 finally led to Jack McCall’s capture and hanging.

            While you and I may never even think about murdering someone, Jesus warns us about its roots.  He told us in Matthew 5:21-22: “You have heard that our ancestors were told, you must not murder, if you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court.  And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell”.  Those who call themselves Christians are called to a much higher standard than just not killing anyone.  The higher standard is love.  As a matter of fact, Jesus tells us that our love for our brothers will be the greatest way others can tell that we are Christians.  He told us in John 13:34,35: “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”.  The apostle John also tells us that if we are not loving our brothers we are not walking in the light (1 John 2:10,11).

            Jack McCall killed Wild Bill Hickok with a Colt 45 revolver and with a curse on his lips.  We can kill people with our anger, our jealousy, our bitterness, and our hatred.  Jesus has a better way.  Ask Him to help you replace any shred of anger or bitterness with love.  After all love is the birthmark of a child of God.