Murder, He Wrote

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Exodus 20:13 (KJV)

13. Thou shalt not kill.

If you have ever doubted that human life is sacred, those doubts are expelled in this verse. We seem to be immune today to people dying, but God puts a high price on the death of a human.

1. What is not forbidden by this commandment?
   There are two Hebrew words which mean "to kill." One word is used in a general way to refer to the taking of life, "I killed the snake, I killed the garden, etc . . ." A second word, the one used by Moses, means specifically the taking of human life and could be translated "murder."
   1. God does not forbid the killing of animals. You can't have a vegetarian existence based on the Bible. "Every moving thing that liveth shall be meant for you even as the green herb" (Genesis 9:3). Priests killed animals for sacrifices in Israel. Israel ate quail for food, and God told Peter in Acts 10:15, "What God hath cleansed thou shalt not call unclean."
   2. God does not forbid killing in self-defense. Exodus 22:2, "If a thief be found breaking up and be smitten that he die, there shall be no blood shed for him." Jesus said, "If the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come he would not suffer his home to be broken up," Matthew 24:43.
   3. God does not forbid killing in war - War is terrible. You cannot say the commandment makes a soldier a murderer. You might say, "Yes, but Jesus said to Peter, 'Put up your sword,'" John 18:11. But in verse 36 Jesus said, "If my kingdom were of this world the sword would be used." War in defense of one's country or people is not forbidden.
   4. God does not forbid killing as punishment. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by men shall his blood be shed. For in the image of God made he man" (Genesis 9:6). "For (government) beareth not the sword in vain, for government is a servant of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Romans 13:4). You take a human life, you forfeit life.
2. What is forbidden by this commandment?
   1. Murder with intent. This would include homicide, suicide, infanticide, genocide, euthanasia, abortion, etc. . ." There are approximately 2,000,000 abortions every year. That averages to one every 20 seconds. 79% of the women who have an abortion are unmarried. The taking of human life is a clear violation of the sixth commandment.
   2. Murder by consent. "And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent, for they commit lewdness" (Hosea 6:9). What are we doing within our power to preserve the sanctity of human life in our city?
3. What is forgotten by this commandment?
   You say, "I've never murdered by consent. I've never had an abortion, murdered with intent." Jesus said, "Whoever is angry with his brother is guilty already." Guilty of what?
   1. The heart of anger is where murder begins.
   2. Before you worship God you are called to reconcile with your brother.
      Meekness - yielding personal rights; hate is the opposite of meekness.
      1. Identify those personal rights that have been violated.
      2. Transfer rights to God - "God, it is your reputation, your money, etc. . ."
      3. Thank God whatever happens. "In everything give thanks" (I Thessalonians 5:18).