Oh How Great, It Really is Amazing Grace, By Your Love, Great Are You Lord

Do you think our culture respects God in our day-to-day life? Does our culture respect life? How do you see, or not see that in our culture?

13 “You shall not murder.”

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”

Why did God give us the Ten Commandments? To show us how to worship Him. When we respond rightly to who God is and obey His commands, we demonstrate our love for Him.

The sixth commandment says, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Many of us would quickly say we’ve never broken this command. After all, the only things we’ve killed are pests or insects in our homes. We naturally condemn murderers and abhor violence.

Yet even if we don’t always notice it, thousands of murders happen every day—in our country and around the world. There are also many cases of suicide. And beyond what makes headlines, there are millions of unborn lives lost each year through abortion. This reminds us that life is deeply valuable and must never be treated lightly. God’s command calls us to respect Him by respecting life.

The Bible uses different words related to killing, but in Exodus 20:13, the word used refers specifically to murder—the unlawful and sinful taking of innocent human life.

Some may ask: Doesn’t God Himself judge and take life? Scripture shows that when God executes judgment, it is never unjust. He is the Giver and rightful Owner of life. His actions are always righteous. At the same time, He is compassionate and gracious—as seen in His mercy toward Nineveh, where He cared deeply for its people and even its animals.

RESPECT GOD

God is the Giver of Life

God formed man and breathed life into him (Genesis 2:7). Every breath we take comes from Him (Acts 17:25, 28). We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13–14). Life is sacred because it comes from God.

God forbids murder

Because we are made in His image (imago Dei), every human life has inherent value (Genesis 9:6). God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16–19). While there are systems of justice for wrongdoing, we can trust that God is perfectly just—no one ultimately escapes His judgment.

To respect God is to respect the life He has given.

RESPECT LIFE

Murder begins in the heart

The first murder in Scripture was committed by Cain against his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8). Cain’s anger and unchecked sin led to violence. God warned him, but he refused to master the sin within him. Jesus later raised the standard even higher: anger itself can make us guilty (Matthew 5:21–22). Hatred toward others is likened to murder (1 John 3:15). Sin begins in the heart (Mark 7:20–22).

Before hands shed blood, the heart has already drawn the knife.

Murder is not just an act—it is a condition of the heart.

How does this show up in our lives?

Unrighteous anger

• Simmering resentment

• Explosive temper

• Refusing reconciliation

• Silent hostility

• Wishing harm on others

Hatred

• Bitterness

• Unforgiveness

• Prejudice

• Personal vendettas

• Taking pleasure in others’ suffering

Verbal destruction

• Insults meant to humiliate

• Character assassination

• Slander

• Gossip that ruins reputations

• Public shaming

• Dehumanizing language

If words could kill, many of us would have deeply wounded or “destroyed” others—family members, friends, even ourselves. Anger and bitterness ripple outward and affect many lives.

We see this in the life of David. His sins—adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah—brought lasting consequences to his family and nation.

HOW DO WE TURN AWAY FROM THIS?

Live with purpose and love

Transformation begins when we encounter Jesus. Consider the apostle Paul, who once approved of violence (Acts 8:1). After meeting Christ, his life was radically changed. He became a messenger of the gospel to the nations (Acts 9:15). Paul understood his purpose—to live for Christ and glorify Him (Philippians 1:21). When we understand our purpose, we begin to live differently.

GIVE LIFE

If we truly respect God and the life He gives, we must become people who give life to others.

God calls us to “choose life” by loving Him, obeying Him, and holding fast to Him (Deuteronomy 30:19–20). We are called to forgive, just as Jesus forgave—even in the face of suffering (Luke 23:34; 1 Peter 2:22–23).

Through Jesus, we receive forgiveness and redemption (Ephesians 1:7–8). While the enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus came to give abundant life (John 10:10). God desires that people would live and not perish (Ezekiel 18:32).

So how do we respond?

By choosing to give life—through our words, our actions, and ultimately by sharing the message of Jesus Christ with others.

Pray for the motives and attitudes in the hearts of people in your sphere of influence to be turned towards respecting God and life.

Set an example of someone who does that in the way you live out God’s purpose for you.

Give life to others by sharing the Giver of life — Jesus Christ!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria) — many have been beheaded and murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• PRAISE God that all Israeli hostages have been restored to their families! Continue to pray for Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory. For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism. May this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For nations in turmoil (e.g., Ukraine, Middle Eastern countries, etc.) to experience true freedom in Christ and become centers for massive spiritual revivals in their regions. For new Iranian leadership to rise up that will be for the people of Iran, will promote freedom of worship that the Iranian believers will be able to reach out to the rest of their countrymen and the people of the Middle East.

• For the people of Mali who are experiencing a violent takeover of their government by Islamist terrorists.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

“You shall not murder.”