Murder

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Murder is the unlawful killing of another human made in the image of God, and is expressly forbidden (Gen 9:5,6; Ex 20:13; 1 Pet 4:15). It is unethical for one person to unilaterally decide the fate of another for personal reasons (as opposed to killing by soldiers in a war for national reasons). In the OT when a

Life is sacred, protect it

person took the life of another in intentional murder the offender was to be killed – the will of God carried out by a human agency, because of the violation of the sacredness of human life (Lev 24:17). No one had the right to take life except by a direct command from the Lord to execute righteousness and rid the land of evil. It is against the law of most countries as well as contrary to Bible teaching, as “Love does no harm to another; rather we should love people and do to them as you would they do to you” (Lk 6:31; Rom 13:9,10). God gives life; it is His right to end it.

The NT gives a fuller understanding – that evil thoughts and intentions are wrong, not just the physical act, and we will be answerable for them (Mt 5:21,22; 1 Jn 3:15).

Wrong thoughts and emotional reactions violate God’s command to love. We need to deal with the bitterness, anger, hatred aggression and frustrations that churn within so our lives are not corrupted or relationships broken. We are to guard our heart more than any treasure for out of it proceeds the desires or motivations that often result in sinful outward actions (Prov 4: 23; Mt 15:18,19).

Unrepentant murderers, along with all who don’t accept Christ, will be doomed to hell (Rev 21:8).

See also: abortion, death, euthanasia, hate, kill, martyr, war/warfare.