The Sixth Commandment - Part 2
Channel: Emmanuel Baptist Church (SBC) Midland, Michigan
Date: 07/05/2023

In Part 2, Pastor David discusses what murder is NOT. There is a lot of confusion today about what murder is and is not. Hopefully, these sermons on the sixth commandment will clarify some things.

Related to this sermon:
What Murder is Not:
1. The Death Penalty is not murder.
2. War is not murder.
3. Self-Defense is not murder.
4. Killing animals is not murder.
5. Not all hate is sinful (or murder).
6. Not all hate speech is hate speech (or murder)

Self-Defense is lawful self-protection when:
1. that the aggressor unjustly assails you, 
2. that the defender has no other means of escape,
3. that the defense is made during the very attack and not after it’s over and 
4. that nothing is done by the defender either under the impulse of anger or with the desire for revenge, but with the sole intention of defending himself.

The six principles associated with Just War Theory are:
1. having just cause
2. being a last resort - It has to be a last resort after all efforts to maintain peace have failed.
3. being declared by a proper authority
4. possessing right intention
5. having a reasonable chance of success
6. the end being proportional to the means used - lethal force is to be used against combatants, not against civilians.

From the Westminster Larger Catechism:
Q. 134. Which is the sixth commandment?
A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill.

Ex. 20:13.

Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?
A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavours, to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defence thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and recreation; by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness; peaceable, mild, and courteous speeches and behavior: forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succoring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent.

Eph. 5:28-29; 1 Kings 18:4; Jer. 26:15-16; Acts 23:12, 16-17, 21, 27; Eph. 4:26-27; 2 Sam. 2:22; Deut. 22:8; Matt. 4:6-7; Prov. 1:10-11, 15-16; 1 Sam. 24:12; 1 Sam. 26:9-11; Gen. 37:21-22; Ps. 82:4; Prov. 24:11-12; 1 Sam. 14:45; Jas. 5:7-11; Heb. 12:9; 1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Pet. 3:3-4; Ps. 37:8-11; Prov. 17:22; Prov. 25:16, 27; 1 Tim. 5:23; Isa. 38:21; Ps. 127:2; Ecc. 5:12; 2 Thess. 3:10, 12; Prov. 16:26; Ecc. 3:4, 11; 1 Sam. 19:4-5; 1 Sam. 22:13-14; Rom. 13:10; Luke 10:33-34; Col. 3:12-13; Jas. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:8-11; Prov. 15:1; Judg. 8:1-3; Matt. 5:24; Eph. 4:2, 32; Rom. 12:17, 20-21; 1 Thess. 5:14; Job 31:19-20; Matt. 25:35-36; Prov. 31:8-9.

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Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, except in case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defence; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life; sinful anger, hatred, envy, desire of revenge; all excessive passions, distracting cares; immoderate use of meat, drink, labor, and recreations; provoking words; oppression, quarreling, striking, wounding, and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any.

Acts 16:28; Gen. 9:6; Num. 35:31, 33; Jer. 48:10; Deut. 20:1-20; Ex. 22:2-3; Matt. 25:42-43; Jas. 2:15-16; Ecc. 6:1-2; Matt. 5:22; 1 John 3:15; Lev. 19:17; Prov. 14:30; Rom. 12:19; Eph. 4:31; Matt. 6:31, 34; Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13; Ecc. 12:12; Ecc. 2:22-23; Isa. 5:12; Prov. 15:1; Prov. 12:18; Ezek. 18:18; Ex. 1:14; Gal. 5:15; Prov. 23:29; Num. 35:16-18, 21; Ex. 21:18-36.
https://thewestminsterstandard.org/westminster-larger-catechism/