Do Not Murder

Today, we come to one of the most well-known and universally accepted commands in all of Scripture—“Do not murder.” At first glance, it may seem straightforward, even easy to keep. But as we’ll see, this command reaches far deeper than simply refraining from physical violence. It’s rooted in the sacred truth that every human being is made in the image of God, and therefore every life is precious and worthy of protection. From the beginning of creation to the teachings of Jesus, God has made it clear that preserving life is not just a legal issue—it’s a spiritual one. Jesus exposes the heart behind this command, showing us that anger, hatred, and bitterness are seeds of the same deadly tree. So today, we’re going to look not only at what this command prohibits, but at what it calls us to—namely, a life that honors God by cherishing the lives of others.