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The Sixth Commandment -Weekly Devotional
This week's focus: Ten Commandments
(this is the sixth in our series on the 10 Commandments)
6. Do not murder
The Jews clearly understood that the sixth commandment refers to murder—the malicious taking of human life. It doesn’t forbid governments to use the death penalty or to wage war. This commandment deals solely with private morality.
Exodus 20:13 is based on the divine truth that human life is sacred and that we must protect and preserve it. Every human being bears God’s image. Even an embryo is marked with a unique identity from the moment of conception. Life is God’s most precious gift, and only He has the right to take it. Abortion, euthanasia, and physician-assisted suicide must all be viewed in the light of God’s right to our life.
Jesus brought the sixth commandment to everyone’s doorstep when He said that to be angry at someone without cause makes us guilty of murder (Mt. 5:21-22). And John wrote, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer” (1 Jn. 3:15). This makes us all murderers in desperate need of God’s forgiveness and mercy.
Thank You, Lord, for Your love and forgiveness. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to love others as You have loved us, and in so doing to value life, protect life, and enrich life as a gift from You.
Adapted from Our Daily Bread
Exodus 20:13 (ESV)
"You shall not murder."
Prayer Points:
- Father God, You are the giver of all life. We confess that we bring death with our thoughts, our words, and our actions. We view the people around us as obstacles instead of human beings to be loved. We breathe hate and discord from our lips and our keyboards. And we tacitly approve of a culture that instigates the killing of the most vulnerable among us. Would you please grant us a weighty love for bringing life to our world, relationships, and hearts. Empower us to be grateful for life and to seek it with all of our hearts. We repent of our love of self to the murder and neglect of all others. Help us to disciple people into life, because of the colossal work found in the death of your son Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen.
- Utilize our prayer guide to help you pray unceasingly for a culture of life. You can download it for free here.
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
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