The Ten Commandments: Don’t Murder

The Ten Commandments: Don’t Murder

Bible Blast: Read Matthew 5:21-26

You must not murder. Exodus 20:13

It’s easy to look at today’s focus verse and say, “That’s a no-brainer. Of course murdering people is wrong. I’m definitely not going to kill anybody, so I can just skip to the next commandment.” The odds are, you won’t kill anybody—at least not physically.

Let’s look at another verse that makes this “murder commandment” harder to skip on past without applying to our own lives. Read Matthew 5:21-22: “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court.” Ouch. Double ouch.

I can remember times when people have called me names and said mean things about me. Some of those names were used over twenty years ago, but it still hurts when I think about them. When I hear those words, I don’t feel alive and healthy. I feel beaten down and confused. I can also remember times when I’ve hurt others with my words.

Have you ever done that? Have you ever called someone an idiot? Or have you ever said something like, “I’m gonna kill her!” or “I wish he would just die!” These are not words of life and blessing. And saying, “I didn’t really mean it” or “I was just kidding” doesn’t take away the pain the other person is feeling. According to the Bible, the anger in your hurtful words is considered the same as murder!

You see, not murdering people is important, but it isn’t enough. We need to go even further than that. The Christian girl needs to express kindness and love to others, not anger and hatred. Probably the most practical way of doing this is by watching your words. Saying nothing is much safer than blasting everyone around you with hurtful words. As the saying goes, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Girl Gab: Daughter, tell your mom a name that someone has called you that really hurt your feelings. Mom, pray over your daughter to remove that label from her heart, and then replace it with a better and more truthful name for her.