Exodus 22:5-6 - Homiletics

The law of love forbids all injury to a neighbour.

There are many who would scorn to steal the property of a neighbour, who yet make light of injuring it in other ways, as by trespass, or by negligence. But if we love our neighbour we shall be anxious not to injure him in any way. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour." lie that allows his cattle to pasture in a neighbour's field, or his hares and rabbits to spoil a neighbour's crops, or his poultry to break bounds and damage a neighbour's garden, cannot feel towards him as a Christian should feel. Love would hinder any injuries, nay, even any intrusive or obnoxious act. Love would also be a strong check upon neglect and carelessness. Men are careful enough not to damage their own property; did they really love them, they would be as careful not to damage the property of their neighbours. And what is true of property is true of other things also. We are bound—

I. NOT TO INJURE OUR NEIGHBOUR 'S CHARACTER , either by direct attacks upon it, or by carelessly suffering it to be maligned by others.

II. NOT TO INJURE HIS DOMESTIC PEACE .

1 . By impertinent intrusion;

2 . By spying and tale-bearing;

3 . By scattering suspicions.

III. NOT TO INJURE HIS INTERESTS .

1 . By divulging without necessity what may hurt him;

2 . By pushing our own interests at his expense;

3 . By knowingly advising him ill;

4 . By setting pitfalls that he may fall into them.

If we offend in any of these respects, it is our duty, so far as possible, to "make restitution"—

Too often this last will be all that is in our power; for "the tongue is a fire" ( James 3:6 ), which scatters its brands far and wide, and creates conflagrations that it is impossible to extinguish. Let each and all seek to control that "unruly member" which "setteth on fire the course of nature," and is itself "set on fire of hell."