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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 beings, our lives are not our own; they are a sacred trust. This truth reminds us to honor life, both ours and others’, even in the worst moments.

The Lord explained God’s view on murder, in Matthew 5:21-26. With God, that murder begins in the heart. Anger, contempt, and unforgiveness are the seeds of violence. Calling someone “a worthless fool” or harboring bitterness brings guilt on us before God. Such attitudes devalue the image of God in others. The Apostle John echoes this truth: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1 John 3:15).

When we harbor anger, we pave the way for actions that can destroy relationships, reputations, or even lives. James 4:1-2 ties quarrels and murder to unchecked desires: “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” The root of murder lies in envy, pride, or fear, all of which breed hatred. History is rife with examples of such thinking—wars fought, genocides enacted, and relationships shattered because someone thought another’s life was expendable.

In subtler forms, the spirit of murder manifests when we fail to reconcile. Jesus urged His followers to prioritize reconciliation over religious rituals. He made it clear that no offering can be presented acceptably before making peace with those who have grievances against the offerer. Reconciliation is not just removing the unpleasantness of conflict; it’s about reaffirming the dignity of God’s image in others.

Murder, whether physical or emotional, is from the devil. Jesus called Satan “a murderer from the beginning.” (John 8:44). The enemy’s lies and deceptions lead us away from truth and life, enticing us to destroy rather than build. As followers of Christ, let us resist these lies and be agents of life and restoration. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10).

This is vividly illustrated in a story about Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of the Holocaust. When the war was over, she traveled the world, speaking about the power of the gospel that she had witnessed firsthand during her time in the Nazi concentration camps. After one such meeting, a man came up to her smiling, with hand extended, praising God for his forgiveness and asking her to forgive him too. Instantly, Corrie recognized him as having been a particularly cruel guard at the camp where she and her beloved sister had been held. Filled with anger and resentment, she struggled to forgive. But as she cried out to God for grace, she immediately chose to do what she could. She took his hand. Instantly, God’s love flowed through her, and she cried out, “I do forgive you, brother.” Corrie’s story demonstrates that we, as children of God, can give life instead of death by choosing forgiveness.

God’s people are entrusted with the message of life—not just physical life but eternal life. Our words and actions should reflect the abundant life Christ offers. We need not harbor anger or seek revenge, for nobody can thwart the plan of God who has called us to inherit a blessing. Instead, we can freely bless others. But when we utter angry words, curses, and provocative speech, we shut the door to God’s favor and protection (1 Peter 3:10-13). Therefore, for God’s sake and for our own, let our words bring healing and hope. Let us through our speech stand up for the defenseless, forgive those who wrong us, and share the gospel of life.

The sixth commandment is not just about refraining from murder; it’s a call to affirm the image of God in every person. By doing so, we honor our Creator and proclaim the life-giving power of the gospel. Let us align our hearts with His, and be true ambassadors of life in a desperately needy world. God bless.