Exodus 20:13
- Do not murder
The fifth commandment of God was to not take the life of another human being. The first thing that people do with this is use the KJV version and misinterpret it. The KJV says "Thou shall not kill". The two things are different. Explanation: if someone breaks into your home and is hurting your loved ones and the only way to stop the hurting is to take the life of the perpetrator then that is not murder. In war time when someone who is the "enemy" is trying to take your life and your only choice if you want to live is to take their life then that is not murder. These two victims, if you will, are innocent of this commandment.
If you are the one who initiates the taking of a life then that would be murder.
Back to Cain and Abel. Cain and Abel are the first two people we hear about with the act of murder. God was not pleased with Cain's offering as in the last lesson. Cain became jealous of his brother. God talked with him and said that if he was doing the right thing then there would no problem (Genesis 4:3-8). But Cain chose a different solution. Never mind what God says, I will do my own thing. Cain murdered his brother.
Listening to what God had originally planned for man in our lives will stop many of the unnecessary burdens we carry. But since when does man do that?
But how do you take the life of someone? It's not about just the physical life ending of someone. Proverbs tells us that life and death is found in the tongue as well. What we say to others can either lift them up and encourage them or say something so hurtful that we basically murder them with what we said. Bryan Adams had a song back in the 1980's that was titled Cuts Like a Knife. Our words can cut someone to pieces to where we destroy their life. A few simple words have the power to murder. Sticks and stones may break my bones but your words cut right through me. Especially if these words come from someone we love. Jesus told us that murder is even more that this. In His sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained that murder is hating your brother. Your brother is anyone next to you. Hating involves both actions and non-actions. Most people think the opposite of love is hate. But the real opposite of love is apathy, not caring about others. Trying to hurt someone is wrong but not helping others who are hurting is just as wrong.
Forms of murder:
- Aggravated life-taking with no valid reason
- Abortion (see right above)
- Abuse (all kinds)
- Neglect (apathy)
- Racism (hatred)
The one and true God shows the path of righteousness. It shows love.