Exodus 20: 13 “You shall not murder.”
“Oh, I could just KILL him!” “Some people just need killing!” “You’d better kill that idea!” “He/She is nothing but a killjoy!” “You’re killing me here!”
We have all heard friends or coworkers making remarks referring to killing. Thankfully, most of the time the tone of these remarks is a semi-joking one; however, are such statements a good idea? What does God think about killing?
The first recorded murder in the Bible was the murder of Abel by his brother Cain. The story is told in Genesis 4. v. 2. – 7 describes the beginning of the problem: ” Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, while Cain was a tiller of the soil. So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD, while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
“Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.”
Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock while Cain brought “some of the fruit of the soil.” There is no record of God having commanded a blood sacrifice at this point, so Cain’s offering should have been acceptable. What was wrong? From the description it appears that Abel was careful to offer God his very best while Cain evidently just gathered up whatever he had lying around. Perhaps Cain’s offering was even rotting and drawing flies!!! Abel truly worshiped God while Cain had no regard for him. God Himself informs Cain that he has not acted rightly. When God found Cain’s offering unacceptable, Cain did not ask God how he could best please God but became furious with Abel and killed him.
Later on when God is giving the Israelites instructions on how they are to live, He warns them not to engage in quarrels and outlines what will happen to anybody who causes harm to someone else. When the Israelites are about to enter Canaan, God even makes provision for cities of refuge to which those who have killed accidentally can flee and be safe from anyone seeking vengeance. For God to draw these distinctions means that God understands human hearts and knows when accidents might occur.
APPLICATION: It was 3 AM when I was called by a frantic hospital watchman that I should rush to the Casualty Unit. There I found the twenty – one year old son of one of our nurses lying dead on a gurney. The police were there with the son’s friend, a local barber, who was very drunk. A terrible tragedy had occurred. The two young men were drinking heavily and got into an argument. The young barber had just cut someone’s hair that afternoon and still had a pair of scissors in his pocket. In an alcoholic rage, this young man stabbed his friend in the chest, penetrating his heart and killing him quickly. It was only when the young man who had been stabbed collapsed that his friend sobered up enough to call for help. And now one promising young man was dead and a second was under arrest for murder, all because of an alcohol – fueled rage. As I watched, the second young man sobered up and suddenly realized that his friend was dead and that he had killed him.
These days the violent video games have proliferated. Several years ago, one teen in a small Southern town who had been playing “Grand Theft Auto” repeatedly went out and shot a local police officer, someone his family knew well and liked. There was little or no provocation for this act. It was strongly suspected that practicing murder in a video game had led to this tragedy. Airlines train their pilots on flight simulators, so why would violent video games not lead to a disregard for human life and a willingness to kill?
What does God say about vengeance? Deuteronomy 32:35 says, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. ” Later on Romans 12:19 God says, “Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
When we commit murder, we take over God’s job, one for which we are totally unsuited! And murder, or even thoughts of murder, leave a stain on our own souls that only God can heal, if we will let Him. But the very act of murder involves turning away from God and repudiating His commandments. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.” Committing murder sets us on a path to our own destruction.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you that you know our hearts far better than we do! Lord, help us to forgive quickly and completely, leaving vengeance to you. And help us to turn away from violent films, violent video games, and other forms of violence that would encourage us to take matters into our own hands and commit murder. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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