Welcome to the 7th episode in Season 5 at Strength in Scripture! This time, we’ll be examining the 6thcommandment.
In Exodus 20:13, God declares, “Thou shalt not kill.” At first glance, this commandment seems like it would be pretty easy to keep. But…
Did you know that in 2017 there were over 17,000 reported murder cases in the US alone? Throughout history we see a trail of bloodshed—cutting short the lives of many innocent victims and leaving families bereaved of their loved ones.
Who is the originator of death? In John 8:44, it says, “…the devil…was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him….”
Because of sin, death entered into this world. Satan desires our spiritual destruction, which results in eternal death. He also instigates men to perpetrate crimes that cut short an individual’s life. The first murder occurred very early on in this world. Genesis 4:8 records this tragic event: “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
Many more such events would take place in the centuries that followed. We can be thankful that God has a record. In the case of Abel, God said that his blood was crying to Him. In the final judgment, justice will be vindicated at last.
What about war? Did God ever intend for nations to engage in large-scale campaigns of bloodshed? This commandment is clear—“Thou shalt not kill.” Does war involve killing? Therefore, a Christian has no business engaging in war. Jesus told Peter, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
In fact, Christ’s method of treating ones enemies stands in stark contrast to that of human nature. Jesus said, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27).
In the crime-ridden cities of today, many people think it important to be prepared to defend themselves with weapons. But this world is not our home and Jesus gave us some advice in Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” So, we need not fear death. In John 14:27, Christ told us: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Going back to the commandment and our duty toward the lives of one another… Now, there are other ways that we can still be breaking this commandment even if we never try to actually kill anyone with a weapon.
In the book, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 308, we find some food for further thought. “All acts of injustice that tend to shorten life; the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others, or causes us even to wish them harm… a selfish neglect of caring for the needy or suffering; all self-indulgence or unnecessary deprivation or excessive labor that tends to injure health—all these are, to a greater or less degree, violations of the sixth commandment.”
In 1 John 3:15, we read: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” Here hatred is equated to murder. This makes many more of us guilty. How many times have you felt hatred toward someone? Maybe the person hurt you or was really annoying or whatever. Even if the person was wrong and wronged you, that still doesn’t give you a reason to hate them.
Remember, when Jesus was being crucified, He prayed the words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The Lord wants to give us a similar attitude. This is contrary to the spirit of wrath that we naturally possess. As we realize and accept Jesus’ love, we can experience a transformation. John wrote: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us… Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:10, 11).
We are not to take revenge on anyone no matter how they treat us. Matthew 5:38, 39 says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” By exhibiting a spirit of meekness, we may be able to de-escalate situations rather than adding fuel to the fire.
In Matthew 5:9, we read: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” If we want to be God’s children, we need to be peacemakers. It’s never easy to be a peacemaker, but the efforts will be well-rewarded.
Another way that we can break the 6th commandment is by killing ourselves. Obviously, it is wrong to end one’s own life willingly. But there are other ways it’s possible to slowly shorten or weaken life. Have you ever heard the expression—digging your grave with your teeth? Yes, there are many habits that have a negative impact on health—and therefore on life.
1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” When we mistreat our body, we are killing the organism that God created for His glory. There are many ways to do this—overeating, overworking, underworking, not exercising, partaking of harmful substances, etc. God is willing to give the power to overcome whatever is holding you back from living life to the fullest.
In conclusion, Jesus came and died for us when we were imperfect sinners. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He desires us to show similar patience with others.
We can rest assured in knowing that God is fair. So no matter what happens in this world, we don’t need to take matters into our own hands.
God says, “…Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20, 21)
What we are responsible to do is to promote the life and well-being of others as far as possible. The Bible refers to Christians as the salt of the earth. The presence of a follower of Christ should make the world a better, more peaceful place.
Can you imagine how wonderful this world would be if there were no violence, no revenge, and no hard feelings?
Romans 12:17, 18 says: “Recompense to no man evil for evil…. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”