Exploring the 10 Commandments: The Sixth Command
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“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
You might be thinking that this simple statement is obvious and we can all move on to the next commandment. However, “Do not murder” has a much deeper meaning than meets the eye. Have you murdered? Have I murdered? Maybe you have not committed a crime and taken a life, but this commandment is still relevant for all of us.
Today, we will look at what the Bible says regarding the sixth commandment: do not murder.
What Does the Command Not to Murder Include?
Webster’s Dictionary defines murders as: “The crime of unlawfully and unjustifiably killing a person, to kill (a person) unlawfully and unjustifiably with premeditated malice, to put an end to: destroy.”
Jesus further defines murder in Matthew 5:21-22:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
We can often jump to the conclusion that the sixth commandment is really about people who chose to physically kill someone else. However, Jesus teaches us that it is much more than this. God cares about not only the sinful conditions of our bodies, but also the sinful conditions of our hearts. Sin is not solely an action, it can also be the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts.
“For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Hebrews teaches us that the Bible is living and active and actually judges the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. When we read Scripture (all inspired by God), His Spirit guides us and convicts us. We are then transformed.
Have I Murdered?
Have you murdered before? Perhaps you actually have physically sinned in this way. Do not forget that Jesus transformed the lives of Paul, King David, Moses, and others who physically murdered. They had to deal with consequences and the weight of guilt from their choices, however Jesus came for them and He came for you too. No sin is too difficult for Jesus to cover by His perfect sacrifice and resurrection.
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).
Maybe you have never physically murdered anyone, but your heart and thoughts would say otherwise. You have hated someone so much and with such fury. Maybe this person wronged you or a loved one and it felt justified to hate them and wish evil on them? However, hate is hate. At the end of the day, God tells us in His Word that hate is tantamount to murder.
When I was young, I remember thinking that I had only broken most of the commandments. Unfortunately, as I have grown older, I do not believe that anyone of an accountable age has kept any of the ten commandments. Ouch!
Romans 3:23 tells us all have sinned. Psalm 73:26 teaches us that our flesh and our hearts may fail, but God is our strength. Romans 3:10-12 tells us that there is no one righteous. When we truly look deeper at each commandment, we realize what great sinners we are. But it compels us to celebrate what great a Savior we serve. Jesus has set us free.
3 Practical Ways to Prevent Hate
1. Ask God to Search Our Hearts
It is important to recognize when we are heading down a mental path that will lead to murder in our hearts. We are called to take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). If the enemy is planting a lie in your head or trying to cultivate a bitter root in your heart, recognize it quickly. This is a great time to pray like David:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:13-14).
Will we be bold enough to ask God to search us and reveal sin in our lives?
2. Pray for Our Enemies
Jesus taught in Matthew 5:44, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” If we are proactive in the spiritual battle and pray for those who are our enemies or persecutors, we will safeguard by the power of the Holy Spirit against hating them. It is easy to pray for those we love and care about, but it is really challenging to pray for those who have hurt us or who even hate us. Prayer helps us to take situations to God and reminds us that they are also people made in His image. It humbles us to know that we are not sovereign, only the Lord is, and He is above the most difficult circumstances.
3. Remember Jesus
We were enemies of God. Romans 5:7-8 says, “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” When we are tempted to hate (murder in our thoughts or heart), we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us remember Jesus’ love for us – love that we did not deserve. We ourselves deserved punishment and death, but He gave us forgiveness and life.
The Ten Commandments List
Commandments 1-4
Thou shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. (Exodus 20:4-6)
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)
Commandments 5-10
Honor your father and mother. (Exodus 20:12)
Thou shalt not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)
Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
Thou shall not covet your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17)
Jesus summed up all of the 10 commandments. As we look at commandments 1-4, they are vertical, about our relationship with God (Love the Lord your God). As we look at commandments 5-10, they are horizontal, about our relationship with others (Love your neighbor as yourself).
This week, may we ask God to search our hearts, pray for our enemies, and remember Jesus. May we receive the love that Christ us for us even in our murderous minds and hearts. His mercy is greater and we do not have to live in defeat to the sixth commandment. Rather, we can be empowered by the cross of Jesus.
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The Fifth Command
The Fourth Command
The Seventh Command
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