Topical Bible: Murder: Characteristic of the Devil

◄ Murder: Characteristic of the Devil ►

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Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, is a grave sin that is explicitly condemned throughout the Bible. It is not only a violation of God's commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), but it is also a characteristic attributed to the devil himself. In the Christian tradition, murder is seen as an act that aligns with the nature and intentions of Satan, the adversary of God and humanity.

The association of murder with the devil is most clearly articulated in the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Jesus addresses the Pharisees, saying, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him" (John 8:44). This passage highlights the devil's intrinsic connection to murder, suggesting that his very nature is opposed to life and truth.

The devil's role as a murderer "from the beginning" can be traced back to the narrative of the fall in Genesis. Although the serpent, identified with Satan, does not directly commit murder, his deception leads to spiritual death and the eventual physical death of Adam and Eve. This act of deception and the resulting death underscore the devil's murderous intent and his desire to separate humanity from God.

Furthermore, the first recorded murder in the Bible, the killing of Abel by his brother Cain, is often seen as influenced by the devil's malevolent spirit. In 1 John 3:12, believers are warned, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous" . This passage suggests that Cain's act of murder was a manifestation of aligning with the devil's evil nature.

The devil's association with murder is not limited to physical acts but extends to spiritual and moral dimensions. Hatred, which Jesus equates with murder in the heart, is also linked to the devil's influence. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches, "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not murder,' and 'Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" . This teaching emphasizes that the spirit of murder begins with internal attitudes of hatred and anger, which are contrary to the love and life that God desires for His people.

In the broader biblical narrative, murder is consistently portrayed as an act that disrupts the divine order and reflects the chaos and destruction that the devil seeks to impose on God's creation. It is a direct affront to the sanctity of life, which is a gift from God, and it stands in stark contrast to the life-giving mission of Jesus Christ, who came to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8) and offer eternal life to all who believe in Him.

In summary, murder is not only a violation of God's commandments but also a manifestation of the devil's character. It is an act that embodies the opposition to God's truth and life, reflecting the destructive and deceitful nature of Satan. As such, Christians are called to reject all forms of hatred and violence, embracing instead the love and life that are found in Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

1 John iii. 11, 12
... of love as the distinguishing the characteristic mark of ... this tribunal every emotion
of hatred appears as murder. ... evil one, the children of the devil, in whom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 11 12.htm

1 John iii. 12-15
... the type of the children of the devil,, so in ... disposition, so does the world hate
and murder the children ... on the other hand, love is the characteristic mark of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 15-dec.htm

The Protevangelium.
... to be conveyed; whereas perspicuity is a characteristic essential to ... in the primitive
times, in which murder and the ... Ye are of your father the devil," point to ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the protevangelium.htm

And Judas Iscariot
... eternity with the awful sin of murder charged against ... Peter without saying that his
strongest characteristic was his ... a Traitor, while John calls him a Devil. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/and judas iscariot.htm

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ...
... deed, stirring up strife, discord, war and murder for the ... The world permits the very
devil to saddle and ride ... It seems to be characteristic of every phase of ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty second sunday after trinity.htm

2 Cor. xii. 16-18
... For this is the characteristic of his wisdom; cutting more ... on the senseless tyrant
to the murder, fearing lest he ... uttered in that theatre of the devil, in that ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 2 cor xii.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... that sincere and whole-souled mercy characteristic of the ... without Christ, and under
the sway of the devil. ... a common purpose in committing robbery and murder. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

John vii. 9, 10
... "Thou hast a devil; who goeth about to kill thee?". ... "they were always eager for murder,
and by ... "which thing is especially characteristic of the multitude.". ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlix john vii 9.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... doctrine even more than he does the devil himself? ... is pictured the world in its true,
characteristic colors; in ... inhuman enough in his frenzy to murder his own ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Sin Overcoming and Overcome
... name, and based His name upon His characteristic work, went ... The devil has put a new
viceroy in authority, but ... man to life again by being sorry for his murder. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sin overcoming and overcome.htm