Killing You Softly – Why Do We Commit Murder?

It Started With Columbo …

At home with the Drydens is an interesting place to be. It is the environment from which most of these blog entries … these type of blog entries are often inspired.

We are not addicted to the television – there are so many more things for us to be getting on with, but as you know from time to time we are wont to catch up on the programmes that we enjoy recording.

One of the family favourites is Columbo. Mrs Dryden and I absolutely love us a bit of Columbo, which means we can take the numerous repeats that pop up on the television on one channel or the other. So tonight, Mrs Dryden and I are watching what must have been a crucial film in the making of the Columbo series – Prescription: Murder.

In this pilot episode Dr. Flemming uses one of his patients to be the necessary cover to give a seemingly perfect alibi in killing his wife. What appears to be perfect, however, is slowly chipped away thanks to the persistent nuisance of Lt. Columbo. (We watched another one where someone asks him what is first name is, he says “Lt.” – quality stuff.)

What I love about the films is the insight it gives us to the making of the murder – the motives, the issues, the execution, the potential flaws in the plan, etc. In this instance Dr. Flemming is in a love-less marriage and his wife has found him to be carrying on with ‘extra-curricular’ activities. She blackmailed him to stop the alternative relationship by threatening a calamitous divorce which would ruin him career-wise, life-wise, every-wise. Stewing on this ultimatum is what has lead to the bad Dr. devising what appears to be a plan to get rid of his wife and carry on with the alternative relationship.

It’s not the first time I’m watching this pilot, but it is Mrs Dryden’s, although with her memory for these things it could just be that she’s slept a lot and seen a lot of Law & Order: Criminal Intent since then. Watching it with her though, we discuss some of the motives that lead to murder.

So How Do We Commit Murder?

Now that might appear to be a bizarre question, because to the best of our knowledge we haven’t actually ‘murdered’ anyone. If so, hopefully we would be locked up and doing time. So what do I mean?

Well, character assassinations. Something bad happens and we hold a grudge, or we not only struggle to find pleasant words to say about someone, we take glee in pouring scorn and vitriol at any opportunity. Even a little façade of appearing reasonable slowly is unmasked to show bitterness and resentment towards people.

Now these behaviours kill. In fact they kill worse than a bullet to the head because the target of the bile not only lives physically but is distorted in the eyes of those who feed on the bile. Their death is slow and painful with the hesitant smiles of people and the drying up of phone calls, etc. Meanwhile we carry on with life as though there’s nothing wrong not noticing how we become a little more jaded, a little less compassionate, a little more hardened.

So Why Do We Do It?

I reckon it’s because at heart there is something about us that can be turned ever so slightly to a darker side. To a side that is a lot more self-serving, selfish and self-sufficient. With the focus on self we are a little less aware of our responsibilities to others and start to see the world as owing us a favour and when we don’t get that favour then we get upset and wish to get some sort of vengeance for such an outrage. No we don’t go planning the perfect crime with the perfect alibi, but we plot and scheme, and it gnaws away and eats away at us until it has its release in those poisonous words and sly asides.

I’m talking about people who don’t know Jesus, right? I’m talking about people who claim to know Jesus. I’m talking about people who will shout loud, wave their hands and do the Holy Ghost two-step on cue. I’m talking about gifted, charismatic figures who have quite a track record of great works. I’m talking about the capacity of anyone who claims to follow Christ and doesn’t notice that slight chink in their armour that allows a little pride in, or a little fear.

I’m talking about the bloke writing this blog entry.

That is why the role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating our hearts to the pure love of Jesus Christ, also convicts us of that chink in the armour. That is why just when I think it’s safe to sit on my holy laurels, I’m reminded of the continued need to be reminded of the grace of God that rescues wretches like me from that self-serving, selfish, self-sufficient syndrome (or perhaps sin-drome would be more appropriate).

I continue to pray for a love-filled marriage based on self-less giving in the example of Christ. I continue to pray for grace-filled living based on the serving heart in the example of Christ. I continue to pray so that I won’t be found guilty of committing murder in my heart and through my words.

Oh And Just One More Thing …

Feel free to join me in those prayerful sentiments, if you reckon it applies to you.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd