Topical Bible: Murder: Comes from the Heart

◄ Murder: Comes from the Heart ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Murder, as defined in the Bible, is the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life. It is a grave sin that is condemned throughout Scripture, reflecting the sanctity of life as created by God. The act of murder is not merely a physical action but is deeply rooted in the condition of the human heart.

Biblical Foundation

The prohibition against murder is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). This commandment underscores the value God places on human life, which is made in His image (Genesis 1:27). The act of murder is seen as an affront to God Himself, as it destroys His creation.

Heart Condition

Jesus Christ, in His teachings, emphasized that murder is not only a physical act but also a matter of the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, He expanded the understanding of this commandment: "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" (Matthew 5:21-22). Here, Jesus highlights that harboring anger and hatred is akin to murder in God's eyes, as it reveals the sinful nature within.

Cain and Abel

The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain. This account in Genesis 4:1-16 illustrates how murder stems from a heart filled with jealousy and anger. God warns Cain, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:7). Cain's failure to heed God's warning led to the tragic act of murder, demonstrating the destructive power of unchecked sin in the heart.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the issue of murder and its connection to the heart. The Apostle John writes, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer" (1 John 3:15). This passage reinforces the idea that hatred is equivalent to murder, as it originates from the same sinful disposition.

Repentance and Transformation

While murder is a grievous sin, the Bible also offers hope for repentance and transformation. The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, experienced a radical change of heart through the grace of God. His life serves as a testament to the power of God's forgiveness and the possibility of redemption for even the most hardened hearts.

Conclusion

Murder, as addressed in the Bible, is a sin that originates from the heart. It is not only the physical act that is condemned but also the underlying emotions and intentions that lead to such actions. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles call believers to examine their hearts, repent of sinful attitudes, and seek to live in accordance with God's commandments, valuing the sanctity of life as He intended.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Protesting Our Innocence?
... footnote8:Matt.5:27-28] the attitude of resentment and hate the same as
murder,[footnote9:1 John 3 ... Peace with God then comes into my heart, fellowship with ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

A Bundle of Proverbs
... to the only source of real 'learning,'"namely, a wise heart. ... to the labour for the
bread which comes down from ... a place suitable for robbing or murder is meant ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a bundle of proverbs.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... iv) Covetousness is the root of murder. ... whatever he touched had a tincture of impurity
(Numbers 19:22), when once the Spirit comes into the heart, it does ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Sixth Commandment
... my house and runs a dagger into my heart for my ... A young man who comes home night
after night drunk, and ... you can't call it anything else than murder, and he is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/sixth commandment.htm

Christian Meekness
... He is guilty of self-murder. In ... reason. Love your enemies.' When grace
comes into the heart, it works a strange alteration. When ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

Pricked in their Heart
... None of them had protested against the murder of the ... risk of perishing because you
have no heart for him ... When the Holy Spirit comes, he comes from Christ, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/pricked in their heart.htm

Secondly, to Assign Some Reasons Why Christians must Make this the ...
... Murder and idolatry are not more vile in his account, than their sacrifices ... of the
soul are quick and soon ended: when it comes thus far, the heart is won ...
/.../flavel/on keeping the heart/secondly to assign some reasons.htm

The Aggressive Rejection.
... ever hold the reins of the heart. Then comes the most terrible, and most significant
event, up to this time, in the whole gospel narrative"the murder of John ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the aggressive rejection.htm

On Trusting in the Mercy of God.
... you thus make it, if you were to murder every man ... loaded rifle to shoot down every
man that comes with his ... he would shoot his rifle at the very heart of Mercy ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/ii on trusting in the.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. ... The love of Christ constraineth'
(2 Corinthians 5:14). Grace comes with majesty upon the heart. ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm