The Ten Commandments Part 7 Series

The Ten Commandments Part 7

Scriptures: Exodus 20:13; 21:12-17; Ezekiel 33:8-9 Matthew 5:21-24

This is part seven of my series the Ten Commandments. This morning we will examine the sixth commandment found in Exodus 20:13 which say “You shall not kill.” As I have done in the past, we will examine this commandment from both the natural and spiritual viewpoints as they are very different.

We have had conversations during Bible study pertaining to this commandment and how it relates to the authorized killing that goes on during wars and by the states when they execute someone. As you read and study the Bible, especially the Old Testament, you will discover that this commandment did not prohibit killing as punishment for crimes, or killing in war, which God Himself commanded the Children of Israel to do when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. However, this commandment does prohibit individuals killing one another for malice and with premeditation. Consider what God told Noah in Genesis 9:6; “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed. For in the image of God He made man.” All violence, assault and battery, hatred and anger, vengeance and danger to human life in general are forbidden. When it comes to how we are to treat people God’s standards are much higher than what we understand to be truth.

Many people cannot imagine themselves killing another human being unless they are doing so in self-defense or in defense of someone they love. Killing someone is permanent and cannot be undone and what drives a person to kill varies depending on the individual. For the purposes of this message, I want to establish that God does not want us to kill another human being. I know there are situations where it can happen to a Christian, but in reality it is not God’s answer to a situation. I want to give you something to consider. What is more important to God, our getting vengeance against someone who hurt us or the person who hurt us getting saved? Which do you think God would be most pleased with? You killing someone in self-defense or you turning the person over to the authorities and they eventually get saved because you spared their life? We must remember that God wants everyone to be saved and we may be the one to tell the person about Jesus and they get saved!

Before we go into the heart of this commandment, I want to review a few Scriptures pertaining to decisions God made as it relates to someone being put to death for a crime or sin. Keep in mind that while some of these things are still happening today and are as much of an abomination to God as they were in the Old Testament, the door remains open through the blood of Christ for our repentance and salvation. These verses will give us insight into the heart of God as it relates to murdering someone and then we will go to the New Testament and examine what Jesus said on the subject. As we read these verses I want you to keep in the back of your mind the toll on society when crimes and sin goes unchecked. Let’s begin with Exodus chapter twenty-one.

“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee. If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die. He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death. He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.” (Exodus 21:12-17)

In these verses we see God clearly establishes the difference between someone intentionally killing someone (someone who plans it out and waits for their opportunity) versus someone who does not. God also establishes the punishment for someone striking a parent or kidnapping another person. In each of these circumstances the punishment was death for the person committing the crime against another person. Now turn with me to Leviticus chapter twenty. These sins are happening today and if we lived during Old Testament times the penalty would be death. Let’s start with verse nine.

“If there is anyone who curses his father or his mother, he shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother, his bloodguiltiness is upon him. If there is a man who commits adultery with another man's wife, one who commits adultery with his friend's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. If there is a man who lies with his father's wife, he has uncovered his father's nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death, their bloodguiltiness is upon them. If there is a man who lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have committed incest, their bloodguiltiness is upon them. If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them. If there is a man who marries a woman and her mother, it is immorality; both he and they shall be burned with fire, so that there will be no immorality in your midst. If there is a man who lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; you shall also kill the animal. If there is a woman who approaches any animal to mate with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:9-16)