A Sunday School teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her 5 & 6 year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor your father and mother,” she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Quickly, one of the kids answered, “Thou shall not kill.”

The world in which we live in can be a very scary place at times. One of the most depressing times of the day comes when the evening news comes on. While I hope that when the news comes on I will hear something uplifting, it seems that there is always a story of someone taking the life of another.

As we continue our series on the Ten Commandments, we come to the 6th Commandment.

Do not murder.

Exodus 20:13 (CSB)

What is murder?

There has been some debate about this very clear commandment over the years. When Exodus 20:13 was translated into earlier English translations like the King James Version, it read, “Thou shall not kill.” Some have seen this as to meaning that any form of killing is wrong (hunting, capital punishment, or war).

The Hebrew word that is found here in Exodus 20:13 for “murder” does not mean just killing in a broad sense. It is a word that points to the deliberate taking of another person’s life. When more recent translations translate this term as murder, they do us a huge favor.

Why is murder wrong?

I haven’t met anyone that would argue that this commandment is too much. Almost every person is opposed to murder. What some people have a problem with is having a good reasoning for why. There are two very important reasons why murder is wrong.

Murder destroys the image of God

We see that when God created human beings in Genesis 1, He made them in His image.

So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.

Genesis 1:27 (CSB)

God has created every single human being that has ever or will ever walk this earth in His image. It does not matter if they are a follower of Christ or not. This simple fact gives great value to every human life from the womb to the grave.

When murder takes place, it is the attempt by one to smear the picture of God in creation. This is a tactic and tool that Satan has placed in our world. The Bible tells us plainly that Satan looks to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). Satan cannot stand the image of God because it reminds him of the sin that has cursed him for all eternity.

Murder goes against the nature of God

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (CSB)

God wants His creation to experience life, not death. Death is a byproduct of our sin.

But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

James 1:14-15 (CSB)

We may look at this and say, “OK… I know that murder is wrong… and now I know some good reasons for it being wrong… but I haven’t killed anyone. I’m good, right?” This command is saying much more than watch what you do. It is truly talking to the heart of the matter: don’t allow things in your life that would lead to this action.

Jesus’ commentary

In the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7 of the New Testament, Jesus speaks on many topics. In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus addresses this particular commandment. He helps the people then (and us today) to see what the underlying message God was trying to give His people was.

Jesus shows us that if we hold hatred towards another person in our hearts, then it is the same as murder. Why would Jesus say something like that? Because He knows that a person does not murder another person without cause. That cause is always linked back to a hatred that is found in the murderer’s heart.

This is such a big issue that Jesus even tells His hearers that if they know that there is some offense between them and another person, then they should drop their offerings (worship experiences) and go make things right (Matthew 5:23-24). He knows that one cannot truly worship God and allow hatred towards another to set in their lives.

The apostle, John, would go on to share how a person cannot hold on to grudges because it will lead to a dark place.

The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now.

1 John 2:9 (CSB)

But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 2:11 (CSB)

Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

1 John 3:15 (CSB)

If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:20 (CSB)

Conclusion

It may be true that we are not going around with a weapon looking to take the life of another person. What about our hearts though? Are we tearing people apart in our minds by holding onto hatred towards them? Are we secretly wishing that their life becomes a wreck?

How can a person ever lead someone to the life-saving, life-giving Christ if the hatred in their hearts is pushing them further and further away?

When God spoke this command on Mount Sinai, He was calling His people to value each and every life. He was setting the stage for His plan of redemption and salvation to go forward.

Will we be a part of helping that salvation go to those who need it? Or will we allow hatred to fester in our hearts and destroy all that God is trying to do?