Kill – Taking of Life

The taking of life represents one of humanity's most profound moral challenges, raising difficult questions about the sanctity of life, justice, and the conscience of believers in times of conflict.

The Sixth Commandment and Killing

The sixth commandment, "You shall not murder" (Ex 20:13), relates to killing unjustly or in personal retaliation. It did not forbid killing in lawful, God-ordered wars against various heathen nations or in self-defence. In most countries today, it is against civil laws to take the life of another. When apprehended, the murderer must bear the penalty of such actions. However, in a nationally declared war, the killing of the enemy is normally accepted without any penalty being imposed by society.

Not Our Right to Take Life

It is fundamentally not our right to take the life of another human being. Life is a sacred gift from God, and He alone holds the authority to give and take life (Deut 32:39). Human beings are created in the image of God (Gen 1:27), which gives each person inherent dignity and worth. When we take a life, we are destroying something sacred that bears God's very image. This principle underlies the sanctity of human life and forms the basis for the sixth commandment's prohibition against murder.

The Bible teaches that vengeance belongs to the Lord alone (Rom 12:19). We are not to take justice into our own hands or seek personal retaliation against those who wrong us. God has established governing authorities to administer justice (Rom 13:1-4), and it is their role, not ours, to punish wrongdoing. This applies both to individual acts of violence and to the broader question of who has the legitimate authority to take life in any circumstance.

Warfare and the Christian Conscience

Warfare is a grim reality in many parts of the world today. Whether a Christian can legitimately participate in the taking of another human life during wartime has been debated throughout church history.

Whether a Christian engages in the potential killing of other humans (as opposed to supporting roles in battle) is a matter of their conscience, for every life is precious. Sometimes the best way to uphold the value of life is to end the life of those indiscriminately destroying it. This requires serious consideration as once life is terminated, that person's eternity cannot be altered. If they die before they accept Christ, they will forever be in hell (Heb 9:27). Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt 10:28). Satan's aim is to steal, kill and destroy, the complete opposite to what Jesus offers us (Jn 10:10).

Life is sacred – whether your own or another's, respect it

Quenching the Spirit and Liberty in the Spirit

When we rely on our own efforts and follow man-made rules, we suppress or "kill" the work of the Spirit among us (1 Thes 5:19), which is not what God intends. If sin disrupts our connection with God, it’s important to turn back to Him and seek His guidance.

On the other hand, Scripture tells us, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor 3:17). This means real freedom comes from living by the Holy Spirit under Christ’s leadership—not just doing whatever we want. The Spirit grants us freedom from the power of sin, from strict legalism, and allows us to live as God designed.

This spiritual freedom is the opposite of the slavery to sin that results in death. By following the Spirit, we gain freedom to choose what’s right, to truly love God and others, and to escape condemnation through Christ (Rom 8:1-2). The Spirit enables us to live a new way—not controlled by self-destructive desires, but filled with life and peace (Rom 8:6).

Reflection and Application:

Consider how the sixth commandment applies to modern ethical dilemmas surrounding the taking of life.
Prayerfully examine your conscience regarding warfare and the value God places on every human life.
Reflect on whether any attitudes or actions in your life might be quenching the Spirit's work.
Remember that each person's eternal destiny is sealed at death – share the gospel while there is time.