A Survey of Sins of Murder. (383)

returning to our intermittent series on the 10 Commandments, we spent some time looking at specific sins and exceptions. Keith uses the Westminster catechism question on the topic as a guide.

The command to not murder is more than taking another’s life. There are a range of emotions and thought process that can harbor murder. Everything from hatred and envy, but also neglect and oppression are included.

Some exceptions to the command regarding murder involves self-defense, defending others life and defending your own property or that of others. Also when carrying out officially declared war, or as a government agent to carry out Capital punishment.

Here’s the statements from the Westminster catechism so you can follow along, and look up the Scripture references. Due to time spent reading the Scripture only get about halfway through this statement.

Question 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, 1 Acts 16:28

or of others, 2 Genesis 9:6

except in case of public justice, 3 Numbers 35:31,33

lawful war, 4 Jeremiah 48:10; Deuteronomy 20:1-20

or necessary defense; 5 Exodus 22:2,3;

the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life; 6 Matthew 5:42,43; James 2:15,16; Ecclesiastes 6:1,2

sinful anger, 7 Matthew 5:22

hatred, 8 1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; Leviticus 19″17

envy, 9 Proverbs 14:30

desire of revenge; 10 Romans 12:19

all excessive passions, 11 Ephesians 4:31

distracting cares; 12 Matthew 6:31,34

immoderate use of meat, drink, 13 Luke 21:34; Romans 13:13

labor, 14 Ecclesiastes 12:12; Ecclesiastes 2:22,23

and recreations; 15 Isaiah 5:12

provoking words, 16 Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 12:18

oppression, 17 Ezekiel 18:18; Exodus 1:14

quarrelling, 18 Galatians 5:15; Proverbs 23:29

striking, wounding , 19 Numbers 35:16,17,18,21

and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any. 20 Exodus 21:18-36