“Murder or Mercy”
The death of potential
I find the simplicity of this statement striking, especially in how it contrasts murder and mercy. Today we are focusing on the contrast between personal choices and God’s mercy. We will also be connecting this idea to how people often take their situations for granted, forgetting that their own choices (murder-thinking) have led them to a place of need for God to be merciful towards them—however, because of the deep place murder holds in the heart, most of the time we tend to even ignoring God’s forewarnings.
“The Ten Commandments, given as divine instructions, are not just a moral code but a blueprint for living in harmony with God and one another…” Another point I make concerning the commandments, is the commandments were given to speak to the heart of man; “you shall not murder” because murder exists naturally in the heart of an unsulendered person. The desire for murder is natural, however, God is supernatural and we can not profane the Holy by reducing God down to natural ways.
1. Opening Reflection?What happens when a believer rejects God’s mercy? When God calls us into new mercies every morning, but we refuse to walk in them, we are committing a kind of spiritual murder.
We are Murdering the potential of what God is trying to do in and through us. Worse still, resisting His plans, we align ourselves with the same rebellious spirit that sought to kill Jesus.
Have you ever considered that rejecting God’s mercy is not just a passive act but an active killing of His purpose? How often do we stand at the crossroads of redemption and destruction, only to choose Resistance over Surrender, Staying The Same (Death of Potential) or change that brings New Life?
2. Rejection of Mercy Leads to Death?Throughout Scripture, we see how rejecting God's mercy is tied to destruction—not only of individuals but of divine purpose.
Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50; 27:3-5) – Betraying Mercy for Personal Gain?Judas had walked with Jesus, seen miracles, and experienced divine mercy firsthand. Yet, when faced with a choice, he rejected that mercy and traded Jesus for silver. Judas’ rejection of God's plan led to spiritual and physical death. He did not just betray Jesus; he betrayed the potential of what he could have been.
Lesson: Every time we choose our own will over God’s mercy, we commit a spiritual betrayal.
The Israelites in the Wilderness (Numbers 14) – Murdering the Promise?God had delivered Israel from Egypt with mighty signs and wonders, yet when they reached the Promised Land, they rejected His mercy through unbelief.
Joshua and Caleb speak to the people
Numbers 14:9–10: 9 “Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
10 But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the Lord appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.
Their fear and refusal to trust killed their potential, and as a result, an entire generation perished in the wilderness instead of entering the land of promise.
Lesson: When we resist God's leading, we forfeit the destiny He has prepared for us. There is a whole life of possibilities set before you, in this moment, will we choose life or murder the potential…?
Saul’s Rebellion (1 Samuel 15) – The Murder of Divine Favor?God anointed Saul as Israel’s first king, yet Saul’s repeated rejection of God’s instructions led to his downfall. When given a chance to repent, Saul clung to his pride instead of surrendering to mercy. His failure cost him his kingship, his legacy, and ultimately his life.
Lesson: Ignoring God’s call to repentance doesn’t just delay His will—it can destroy it in our lives.
The Pharisees and Jesus (John 11:45-53) – Killing the Messiah to Keep Control?When Jesus performed miracles, some rejoiced, but the Pharisees saw Him as a threat. Instead of accepting the mercy of God through Christ, they plotted to kill Him to maintain their power. In rejecting Jesus, they weren’t just eliminating a problem—they were attempting to kill the very plan of God.
I ask you, in your current situation, Are you willing to murder to seemingly gain control?
Lesson: When we resist God’s mercy, we place ourselves in opposition to His plan and, like the Pharisees, become part of the effort to silence His work.
3. The Spiritual Consequence of Rejecting Mercy?Each time we refuse God's call to renewal, we are murdering the future He has written for us. Think of the dreams, the callings, or blessings have we forfeited because we resisted His mercy… Every act of rejection is a step toward spiritual death.
4. Recognizing the Crossroad: Mercy or Murder?
Do we allow past failures to keep us from stepping into new mercies?
Are we so determined to hold on to our plans that we kill God’s vision for us?
Are we rejecting correction, forfeiting the very favor meant to establish us?
5. Walking in Mercy Instead of Resistance?God’s mercy is an invitation, not a demand. When we refuse it, we stagnate and regress, but when we embrace it, we step into the fullness of life.
Accept that God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Recognize that rejecting mercy is rejecting purpose.
Choose surrender over resistance.
Choosing Surender is listening to the warnings form God to us before we make choices.
6. Closing Prayer?Lord, forgive us for the times we have rejected Your mercy and killed the potential You placed in us. Help us to walk in surrender, embracing Your plans over our own. May we never be found fighting against Your will but always yielding to Your redemptive work. Amen.
7. Final Challenge?Are you resisting God’s mercy in any area of your life? What parts of His plan have you been trying to rewrite? Choose today to walk in mercy instead of murder, in redemption instead of rebellion. Let today be the day you stop resisting and start embracing His new mercies.
