The Devil is a manslayer. “That one was a manslayer when he began,” said Jesus. (John 8:44) Beginning with his first act in turning Adam and Eve away from God, Satan has been a manslayer. He brought death upon the first human pair and their offspring. (Romans 5:12) It may be noted that this action can be attributed only to a person, not to a mere principle of evil.
“You must not murder,” states one of the Ten Commandments given to Israel. (Deuteronomy 5:17) Addressing Christians, the apostle Peter wrote: “Let none of you suffer as a murderer.” (1 Peter 4:15) So as Jehovah’s servants, we would not commit murder. Yet, we would bear guilt before God if we hated a fellow Christian and wished him dead.
“Everyone who hates his brother is a manslayer [or, “murderer”],” wrote the apostle John, “and you know that no manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him.” (1 John 3:15; New International Version) The Israelites were commanded: “You must not hate your brother in your heart.” (Leviticus 19:17) May we be quick to resolve any problem that arises between us and a fellow believer, so that the manslayer Satan does not destroy our Christian unity.—Luke 17:3, 4.
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