Law and Order

“You shall not murder.”
Exodus 20:13


1. Think carefully about honoring life.


This command does not prohibit or condemn:

• Accidental homicide: manslaughter
In the OT, God’s people began to differentiate between premeditated murder...and the accidental or unintentional killing of another person. It was the OT law that called for the establishment of “cities of refuge” where someone involved in an accidental death could flee and live in safety until the details of the situation were examined and a just response determined by the community.

• Justifiable homicide is not condemned by this text.

“If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed.”
Exodus 22:2

• Killing in a just war

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. For the (government) is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Romans 13:1, 3, & 4

• Capital punishment is not prohibited by this command.

In fact, back in Genesis 9 it is frankly stated that capital punishment will be the response to premeditated murder. In Exodus 21, the very next chapter, instructions are given for when capital punishment is appropriate and how it is to be carried out.


2. Embrace values that honor life.

• Refuse to fantasize about murder.

“Don’t take revenge my friends, but leave room for the wrath of God. Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord.” Romans 12: 20

I want to encourage you to

• Oppose the practice of abortion.

Over 52 million times since January of 1973 when our government followed the leadership of the USSR and England and made abortion on demand legal...over 52,263,000 babies have been killed by abortion.

That’s more American lives than have been lost in all the wars our country has fought in our history. Do you know what that means? The most dangerous place in America is not Detroit...who had the most murders per capital of any city in the US last year

The most dangerous place to live in the world, statistically, is the womb of a mother who does not believe in the sanctity of human life.

Psalm 139:13
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.

All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be. “
Psalm 139: 13-14, 16


• Absolutely reject any thought of suicide.

• Purpose to be innocent of “mental murder.”

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:21-22

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:17

3. Get real personal about honoring life.

1. If your anger is sinful: confess it

2. Genuinely repent of mental murder

3. We need to disavow any desire to see evil come to these people.

4. Leave their judgment to God

Romans 12:19 says “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay.’ says the Lord.”

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:20-21