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Murder of the Heart

Sunday, November 14, 2021
Pastor Jojo Ma

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Exodus 20:13

13 You shall not murder.

I.          How did the Israelites understand the 6th Commandment? [Ex 20:13]
II.        How did Jesus understand the 6th Commandment? [Matt 5:21-26]
III.       How can we today apply the 6th Commandment? 

I.         How did the Israelites understand the 6th Commandment? [Ex 20:13]
13 You shall not murder.

The 6th Commandment forbids murder. It doesn’t forbid killing but unlawful killing of a human being. The unjust taking of an innocent human life is forbidden in the 6th Commandment. Murder is always unjust; killing is not always unjust. You could understand the 6th Commandment like this: You shall not kill unlawfully.

II.        How did Jesus understand the 6th Commandment? [Matt 5:21-26]
Matt 5:21-26 You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

Have you murdered anyone? What about in your heart? Have you ever said a hurtful word to anyone? Do you like it when others experience “bad luck” in life? Is there someone you can’t stand and curse under your lips? Have you ever exploded in anger? Do you ever want revenge? There are many ways to break the 6th Commandment as understood by Jesus because he goes deep into the heart of the matter…which is the matter of the heart.

III.      How can we today apply the 6th Commandment?
The Issue of Abortion

Ps 139:13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

The Bible teaches a union of body and soul. When biological life begins, personhood begins. At biological conception, the soul begins and there is personhood.

Ex 21:23 But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life.

Lk 1:41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Issue of Euthanasia (Assisted Suicide)

The Bible supports the sanctity of life and condemns the unlawful taking of life. “You shall not murder” is a powerful, positive statement about the dignity and worth of human life.

The Issue of Suicide (Self-Suicide)

God loves life. God gives life. God is Lord of life. He doesn’t look favorably at His creatures, made in His image, seeking to end their lives.

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

As Christians we ought to promote life, a culture of life, the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death. But not only physical life, we ought to promote eternal life.