Thou Shall not Kill

Saturday 8 October
READ: Exo. 20: 13
MORE LESSON: I Jn. 3: 14 - 15

Everywhere in the world, murder is a capital offence. If sins and crimes are in ranks, then murder certainly ranks among the worst. Human life is highly valued by both God and man and anyone that takes another person's life has done great wickedness. The sanctity of human life is recognised in the law of every land and even by God the Maker of all, Surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man: Gen 9:5. In other words, the life of man is so valued by God that if an animal sheds the blood of a man, the Lord will judge that animal. If a man sheds any man's blood, the Lord will require it from his hand, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man: Gen 9: 6. It is because of the greatness of the sin of murder that the Lord commands, Thou shalt not kill: Exo 20: 13.
Jesus came and added a greater dimension to this law and said that God’s commandment against murder is not limited to physical killing. He pointed out that anger and hatred in the heart against another man is equal to murder. Some people may not kill physically but they talk evil and gossip so much that it is the same as committing murder. The hatred in the hearts of some against fellowmen is so grievous that the only reason they have not killed is because they have not seen the opportunity to. In Matt 5: 21 -22, Jesus warns, ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. This means that you should guard your heart against all hatred, malice, evil words and anger if you want to be innocent of murder in the sight of God.
The Lord wants forgiveness, love and kindness to fill our hearts, so that we will not be killers but givers of life. As the Scripture says, We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him: 1 John 3:14-15.

Prayer/Action
*Holy Spirit, help me not to speak destructive words that can kill spiritually or physically, in Jesus’ name.
* I silence the voice of satan in my heart, in Jesus’ name.

TODAY'S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, I prophesy and declare that my life and destiny shall work contrary to the agenda of the enemy, in the mighty name of Jesus.