A Deeper Look at a Commandment
“Thou Shalt Not Kill”
The command “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex 20:13) is one of the well-known Ten Commandments of God. In the Old Testament, this was seen as a law against the physical act of murder. It was about respecting life, which is a gift from God. The Bible teaches that we should treat others with the same respect we want for ourselves. (Mt 7:12)
Stories in the Old Testament show the serious consequences of murder.
Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and was forced to live as a wanderer. (Gen 4:8-16)
King David had a man named Uriah killed indirectly to hide his own wrongdoing. (2 Sam 11:14-17)
Both men faced lasting punishment because their actions came from selfishness. Even if a crime is hidden, like a secret murder, it will eventually be revealed. Sin is like a fire that can’t be wrapped in paper ‒ it will always burn through to show the truth.
A Deeper Meaning
In the New Testament, Jesus explained that the commandment against killing goes much deeper than just the physical act. He alluded that even being angry toward someone is a form of murder in God’s eyes. (Matt 5:21-22)
Jesus further said that anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer and will not have eternal life. (1 John 3:15) We can understand that hatred is the root of evil and can lead to the act of killing: either literally; or figuratively, by destroying a person’s reputation, spirit or well-being through words and actions.
Love, on the other hand, is the opposite of hatred. The Bible says we know we have a new life with God because we love one another. (1 John 3:14) If we don’t love, we are spiritually dead. While the world may hate us for our beliefs, we must not let that hatred into our hearts. (John 15:18) To do so would make us spiritually guilty of murder.
Conclusion
This message is deeply relevant to our lives today. We live in a world where it is easy to express anger and hatred online, often without thinking about the real-world impact. Social media and online anonymity can make us feel disconnected from the people we are attacking, but the spiritual principle remains:
Hatred is a destructive force, regardless of how it is expressed. The ultimate lesson is that true peace and spiritual well-being start not with avoiding certain physical actions, but by cultivating a heart full of love and respect for others, a choice that makes our communities and our own lives better.
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