Sunday Devotion- The Ten Commandments for Writers, #6

Janet Rubin

Deuteronomy 5:17 "You shall not murder."

You shall not murder? This might be a tough command for our suspense and mystery writers! How can people like western writer Stephen Bly, who lives by the words, "If the plot drags, shoot someone," possibly obey ole number six? What about suspence novelist Brandilyn Collins? She's always dreaming up new ways to off people.

Is it okay to kill people in your stories? I sure hope so; Jesus did it. Remember the one about the wicked vinedressers who decided to kill the vinyard owner's son and take his inheritance? "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him." The story about the Good Samaritan contained violence. Jesus told stories that would touch people's hearts and reveal truth. I suppose for us today it's more a matter of motivation. Whether we are writing the "right" story is a very personal and difficult question. We are responsible for the words we send out into the world. When we manipulate people's emotions with our stories, when we scare them or disturb them, we need to be prayerful about the purpose. What is the truth being revealed?

Of greater concern to God- I think- is what we feel in our hearts toward other people. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." And 1 John 3:15 says, "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him."

Uh oh.

You mean the violent, angry thoughts I had the last time my crit partner tore apart my chapter were equivalent to murder? The way I fantasize about making a dart board out of a picture of that editor who so rudely rejected me? The hateful reaction you had to a critical review or nasty reader letter? The anger toward the family member who thinks this whole writing thing is a waste of time? Or the friend who just got a contract before you did (and she/he isn't even as good as you!) We'll always have opportunities to let our anger lead to hate, which Jesus says is just as good as murder. He wants us to make a better choice.

When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said this: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt. 22:37-40)

Lord, We are emotional people. And perhaps, being writers, we are an especially sensitive and insecure lot. We get hurt easily, offended, discouraged, and jealous. Please be the God of our emotions. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and enable us to love and forgive. We want to love others because You first loved us. Amen.