Is hating the same as killing?

The sixth commandment, “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13), is one of the most direct and impactful instructions in the Bible. It addresses the sanctity of life and calls believers to respect and protect it. Growing up, I was sure that as much as I enjoyed playing with toy guns and later learning to shoot with real ones, I would never kill anyone. But reading Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount made me understand that even this commandment is one I couldn’t keep. Jesus said,

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Matthew 5:21-22

Here, Jesus emphasized the heart and intent behind actions, teaching that anger and hatred are as destructive as physical violence. So yes, in a sense, hating and killing fall into the same category. Both are violations of God’s design for human harmony.

The Bible consistently upholds the value of human life, emphasizing that life is a gift from God. The sixth commandment is often interpreted as a prohibition against murder—the intentional and unjust taking of another person’s life. However, biblical scholars note that the original Hebrew word “ratsach” encompasses broader meanings, including manslaughter and other forms of killing. The Bible also distinguishes between murder and killing in specific contexts, such as self-defense, war, or capital punishment, which are addressed in other parts of Scripture.

As Christ-followers, we are called to uphold the sanctity of life in all its forms. After all, we are all created in the image of God. Not only must we refrain from physical violence but also address attitudes and behaviors that harm others emotionally or spiritually. The commandment invites believers to reflect on their relationships, seeking peace and reconciliation as much as possible.

What, then, does it look like on a daily basis to refrain from murdering others?

1. Promoting Peace: Actively work to resolve conflicts and prevent harm in personal and communal settings.
2. Guarding Against Anger: Recognize and address feelings of anger or resentment before they escalate into harmful actions.
3. Valuing Life: Advocate for the protection of life, including caring for the vulnerable and opposing injustice.
4. Practicing Forgiveness: Follow Jesus’ example by forgiving others and seeking reconciliation.

The sixth commandment challenges believers to honor the sacredness of life, not just in their actions but in their thoughts and attitudes. It’s a call to live with compassion, respect, and a commitment to peace in a world often marked by division and violence.

The Ten Commandments

And God spoke all these words:

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³ “You shall have no other gods before me.

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

⁷ “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³ “You shall not murder.

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

¹⁶ “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

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