Number Six

“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13

This commandment seems straightforward; morally, ethically, logically, and legally obvious. However, as with all of God’s utterances, because our minds are clouded by sin, there are some things that we miss. The obvious part of this command is that we are not to take the life of another person. Some versions of the Bible translate this “You shall not murder” (NKJV). This particular translation seems limited due to the varied definitions our society has for different types of killing. All killing is bad whether justified or not. Taking the life of a fellow human being takes a toll on a person. Ask anyone who has served on a battlefield or committed manslaughter. Something in their mind changes. However, I would like to focus on a few aspects of killing that people tend to overlook: self-murder by fork, murder by words, and does God really kill?

Suicide by fork: In church this past week the speaker gave testimony of her healing from cancer when she changed her diet and mindset. The Bible clearly states how God originally expected us to eat, scientific research has been done demonstrating that this is the ideal diet for the human body, and yet we disregard it. The speaker used the story of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14) to emphasize the point that the simple acts of eating well and living by faith we think hard to do yet we’d rather take medication or endure some extreme procedure to get well. Everyday we disregard the laws of nutrition, exercise, hydration, temperance, rest, and faith in God yet still expect to maintain good health. This is an affront to God (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17). God promised that if we would adhere to His commands He would protect us from the diseases He placed on the Egyptians (Exodus 15:26). As we now know many of the diseases we face are diseases archaeologists have identified in ancient Egyptian mummies. It is time for us to think and make a conscious change to a simpler, faithful way of life.

Death by words: Growing up there was a chant we use to say as children – “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Oh how wrong and misguided this statement is! The rampant increase in suicides among teens, and young people, associated with social media, is clear evidence of the fallacy of this sentiment. 'The pen is actually mightier than the sword.' While on Earth Jesus amplified the Law explaining that the thoughts and attitudes we have are forms of violating these Laws (Matthew 5:21, 22). Gossiping and slander are clearly identified in Scripture as a source of death and God will judge those that spread death with their tongues (Ezekiel 22:9, Leviticus 19:16; James 4:11).

Does God really kill? There is a new theory going around that God doesn’t really kill anyone. The first time I heard it I had a visceral reaction, then I started to think about it. It sat in the back of my mind for a few years then I heard it again from another source. As Bible believers our source of answers to all questions is Scripture. Scripture says that God is the Creator. The fourth commandment clearly identifies this as such and that this is the reason He is deserving of obedience (Exodus 20:8-11). Through the bible we also come to understand that God’s Law is a rendering of His character (Psalms 18:30; 19:7; Galatians 5:14; 1John 4:8, 16), by this some are of the opinion that He will not kill.

However, as one preacher said, ‘God has a track record’. The flood (Genesis 7), Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), the firstborns of Egypt (Exodus 11), the destruction of the Amalekites (1Samuel 15), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) all are examples of God, himself, or through angels or His human servants killing. So if we believe the Bible is truth why is it so had to accept that the Creator can and will destroy? This brings us back to definitions, generalized killing and specific murder. Murder is a premeditated act borne of malice. Throughout the Bible we see that this is were God takes offense. Jesus compared ‘being angry with our brother without a cause’ to killing. In the time of ancient Israel there was recourse for those that killed accidentally, or in defence of oneself or another (Numbers 35:11-34).

The fact is, this idea that God will not kill is a dangerous lie. Zephaniah 1:12 warns of judgement on those that adopt the complacent belief that God is disinterested and innocuous. The Lord is our Judge. Built into His law are consequences and the consequence of breaking His Law is death, plain and simple (Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23). And as Judge and the One against Whom sin is committed He is the only One with the right and the power to ultimately kill. His word is sure, His track record is real, and He is not to be trifled with. Scripture declares that He will perform what is termed "His strange act" (Isaiah 28:21). The final death will be done in defence of all creation, because sin cannot rise a second time.

In Love