Theology 101 No. 10

You shall not murder.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.

As one studies the Commandments, it is evident that they are not simply meant to be a list of “do’s” and “don’ts.” The Commandments are a way of protecting God’s blessings to us by showing us the proper use of that particular gift. The Fifth Commandment is given in order to protect and preserve God’s gift of life.

Of the Commandments, the Fifth is perhaps the broadest of them in meaning and scope. This Commandment goes far beyond the taking of a human life unjustly. Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount bears this out (Matthew 5:1ff). The variety of ways, both by commission and omission, that this Commandment can be broken is innumerable.

Human life is to be regarded as a special gift from God (Job 33:4). Only in very select cases can a human life be taken by another human being. The government has the authority to “bear the sword” by fighting just wars in defense of the people and the administration of capital punishment to protect society (Romans 13:4). You and I also have the right to defend ourselves if attacked.

Aside from these few exceptions mentioned above, we are not permitted to take or harm our own life or that of our fellow man. Suicide, euthanasia (mercy killing), abortion (accept to save the life of the mother), fetal stem cell culling (whereby the embryo is destroyed in the process), physician assisted suicide, and similar contemporary issues are also contrary to this Commandment. Those who would also shorten their life or impair their health through indulgence in some harmful habit, including excessive eating, drinking, and (over-) working, are guilty of this sin.

When it comes to the treatment of our neighbor, we may in no way hurt, harm, shorten, embitter, or destroy our neighbor’s life. While this pertains to the physical sense, it means emotionally as well. In reality more murdering and harm comes from the tongue than by any other means. Words of anger and hatred kill more people than the human hand (See James 3:1ff). God also forbids us to harbor anger or hatred against anyone in our hearts (Matthew 5:22; I John 3:15; Matthew 15:19). The thought of doing harm to our neighbor or wishing hurt or harm to befall them is also sin. Even when we have been wronged we hate the sin and not the sinner.

There are also sins of omission to consider with this Commandment. The failure to help someone in need is no different than if we had inflicted the harm ourselves (cf. the Levite and the priest in the story of the Good Samaritan - Luke 10:30ff). The wealthy man in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, for example, was not condemned because he was rich or because of something he did. He was condemned because of what he did not do: He had the opportunity and means to help Lazarus, but had no love in his heart to do so (See also I John 3:10ff). We are to help those in need when we are aware of their need. We are also to extend this same love and compassion to our enemies when they are in need whether we think they deserve it or not (Romans 12:20,21).

We should also strive to be kind in our dealings with our neighbors and be patient, compassionate, and not easily provoked even when our neighbor is contrary or insulting. We should not nurse or hold a grudge but always be ready to forgive (but that does not mean we should overlook sin or condone evil - see Genesis 37:23-35). In short we are to follow St. Paul’s word to the Romans: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

And in such things Christ, who died also for His enemies, is our best example. He who came and wronged no one took upon Himself all of our wrongs and helped us with our greatest of needs: salvation from sin. As such we are to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, help, forgive, and protect our neighbor especially those weaker than ourselves and those unable to protect or help themselves.