Seeds of Promise Series by Shenica Graham

Maximizing Ministry Part X.VI – The Sixth Commandment

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INTRODUCTION

Physical murder is surely prohibited in the sixth commandment. God intended to reserve unto Himself, the power to give and take life. Willful killing creates a fault between man and God. By assuming a power that reserved for Him, the murderer disregards the relationship with his creator and attempts to put himself in God’s role. This is an error because the servant is not greater than his lord (John 13:16).

We know that because of the shedding of blood, David was not allowed to build the temple of God (1 Chronicles 22:7). Though God is the author of forgiveness, there is something to be said for a clean conscience. When we have committed evil against God – which murder is, we have to deal with our own carnal knowledge of what we have done. It is difficult to overcome feelings of shame when we come into the knowledge of God. It is better that we follow Him and abstain from sin, because this allows our hearts to be blameless, which creates for us a realm of freedom that defines our worship. When we are burdened with guilt, it is cumbersome to our praise of Him is perfect, as we may see ourselves as more unlike Him, than like Him. The more we be like God, the closer we feel to Him, the better we work through Him.

We cannot confine injury to the physical works of unruly people. They can also injure the spirit within by simply speaking (Proverbs 15:4). Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). If we choose to use our bodies to glorify God and do not kill with our words or deeds, we can do the opposite and bring healing to others (Proverbs 12:18).

The Sixth Commandment

Scripture Basis – Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill.”

The opposite of taking life is to give life. If we focus on preserving life, it will be difficult to have a murderous spirit.

Giving Life

Speak Life. We know that that the power of life and death is in the tongue. We should train our tongue to speak words that engender life: encouraging words, strengthening words, words of truth, words of blessing, healing words, and uplifting words.

Share The Good News. People need to know that there is hope in Christ. There are plenty of desperate lives in the world. When you come into the knowledge of salvation, you reach a turning point in your life. People need to reach that turning point. The great commission is not reserved for leaders of a mega church. God said that He would give pastors after His own heart (Jeremiah 3:15), and some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists and some teachers (Ephesians 4:11), and the Holy Spirit will make us witnesses that are more effective, and a truthful witness saves lives (Proverbs 14:25): so, you plus God equals enough to change the world. The Spirit of God can overcome the spirit of desperation, murder, and suicide. We who have been converted must strengthen our brethren (and sisters) (Luke 22:32). Share your testimony of how you have overcome and help others to understand that if God did it for you, He can do it for them also (Revelation 12:11, Acts 10:34).

Glorify God. We are to glorify God in everything that we do (I Corinthians 10:31). We cannot glorify Him by taking life from others. Recall that man is God’s glory on earth (Isaiah 43:7). If we focus our whole being on glorifying God, it will be difficult to dishonor Him by destroying His glory, including physical or otherwise murder of other people AND ourselves. Get your heart, mind, and speaking on one accord, all focused toward giving God glory and preserving His glory. (Romans 15:6).

Follow The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will communicate with us when we are about to step out of God’s will. We can override His voice and do despite this warning, something that will lead to negative consequences. If we repeatedly override the warning of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will be taken from us. In order to avoid a murderous action, we can simply heed the warning of the Holy Spirit: this implies that the Spirit is communicating with you: if not, your conscience is more easily seared, lacking the Godly intervention that can help you stay out of trouble. Seek God for His Holy Spirit and listen when you are warned. The more we obey the Holy Spirit, the stronger will its voice be within us. It will lead and guide us into truth (John 16:13), and teach us all things whatsoever the Lord (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is a part of God, so in following it we also adhere to God’s direction.

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