FAQs Monday: What is the Sixth Commandment?

Last week, we answered the question, "What is the fifth commandment?".  You can read that post here.  This week, we continue our look at the Ten Commandments by looking at the sixth commandment.

Which is the sixth commandment?

The sixth commandment is, "You shall not murder" (Ex. 20:13).

What is required in the sixth commandment?

The sixth commandment requires all lawful efforts to preserve our own life and the life of others.  In the Psalms, we are called to "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.  Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Ps. 82:3-4, ESV).  Solomon warns,

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.  If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? (Prov. 24:11-12, ESV).

We should be mindful that other Scriptures imply that suicide is wrong (see Acts 16:28; Eph. 5:29-30).

What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?

The sixth commandment forbids the taking of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, including whatever acts tend to this loss.  In his confrontation with Cain, the first murderer, God states, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand" (Gen. 4:10-11, ESV).  The Lord said to Noah, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image" (Gen. 9:6, ESV).  Jesus said,

You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment." But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, "You fool!" will be liable to the hell of fire.  So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave you gift there before the altar and go.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.  Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put into prison.  Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny (Matt. 5:21-26, ESV).

Summary

The sixth commandment is against murder, the unlawful taking of life.  Human life is sacred, and should be treated with the utmost dignity.  Human life; therefore, should be prized, and every effort should be taken to preserve it.  Next week, we answer the question, "What is the seventh commandment?".