74_You shall not murder Ex 20:13 “You shall not murder. Gen 9:6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. The ruins of an old battlefield, scattered with the remnants of weapons and speaking of shattered lives, tell a haunting story of human conflict. In that solemn place, the question arises: what drives us to take a life? The sixth commandment, "You shall not murder," assumes immense significance in the stillness. Through the ages, this word challenged humanity to value man’s life as sacred since it is created in the very image of God. Genesis 9:6 declares, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for God made man in his own image." This unique biblical truth reveals the divine imprint on every human being. Unlike animals formed from the dust, humans bear God’s likeness. This distinction makes murder not only an irreparable offense against the life of another person, but an act of rebellion against God Himself, the giver of life. Moreover, as Job stated, "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away" (Job 1:21). Life is His to give and His alone to take. Revelation 22:15 warns that murderers—those who disregard and destroy God’s possession—will not inherit the kingdom of God. Societies have long upheld the principle that unjust or illegal killing is a criminal act. Yet, in today’s world, moral boundaries have blurred. For example, while society often frames induced abortion as a matter of personal liberty, Scripture paints a different picture. The Bible clearly identifies life in the womb as sacred, formed by God’s hands and fully known by Him. Samson acknowledged his divine calling from the time of his conception, saying, "I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb." (Judges 16:17). David marveled at God’s craftsmanship: "You knitted me together in my mother’s womb… Your eyes saw my unformed substance." (Psalm 139:13, 16). Similarly, God’s words to Jeremiah reveal the existence of his people in God’s mind before they ever came into being: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you." (Jeremiah 1:5). These verses leave no doubt that human life begins with God, and He knows each person before they are conceived. This wonderful truth makes abortion a grave transgression against God. Moreover, even viewed as murder, it is a peculiarly cruel act, because it deliberately terminates a defenseless life. No matter how society normalizes it or legalizes it, God’s law is unchanging. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls us to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" and "defend the rights of the poor and needy." This includes the unborn, who are utterly voiceless and powerless. But the holiness of human life extends beyond the unborn. Suicide is another way in which man raises violent hands against human life. Such decisions are often rooted in real and deeply painful experiences. However, it is God’s prerogative to give or take life. Failing to recognize this means that we deny God’s sovereignty. As finite mortal