Topical Bible: Murder: Defiles The: Person and Garments

◄ Murder: Defiles The: Person and Garments ►

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Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, is a grievous sin that defiles both the person who commits it and their garments, symbolizing the deep spiritual and moral corruption it brings. The Bible consistently condemns murder, emphasizing its severe consequences and the defilement it causes.

Defilement of the Person:

The act of murder is a direct violation of the sixth commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). This commandment underscores the sanctity of human life, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). When a person commits murder, they not only transgress God's law but also defile themselves spiritually. In Matthew 15:19-20 , Jesus explains, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. These are what defile a man." Here, murder is listed among the sins that originate from the heart, indicating that it corrupts the inner being of the perpetrator.

The defilement of the person is further illustrated in the account of Cain and Abel. After Cain murders his brother Abel, God confronts him, saying, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10). Cain's act of murder not only defiles him but also brings a curse upon him, alienating him from God and the community.

Defilement of Garments:

In the Bible, garments often symbolize one's moral and spiritual state. The imagery of defiled garments is used to depict the stain of sin, including murder. In Isaiah 59:3 , the prophet declares, "For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice." The blood-stained hands represent the guilt and defilement of those who commit acts of violence and murder.

The book of Revelation also uses the imagery of garments to convey purity or defilement. In Revelation 3:4 , Jesus speaks to the church in Sardis, saying, "But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white." The soiling of garments is a metaphor for sin, including murder, which tarnishes one's standing before God.

Spiritual and Moral Implications:

Murder not only defiles the individual and their garments but also has broader spiritual and moral implications. It disrupts the harmony of God's creation, bringing chaos and suffering. The shedding of innocent blood is an abomination to the Lord, as stated in Proverbs 6:16-17 : "There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood."

The defilement caused by murder requires repentance and divine forgiveness. In Isaiah 1:18 , God offers hope for cleansing: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." This promise of redemption underscores the possibility of restoration for those who turn away from their sins and seek God's mercy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Lamentations 4:13,14
For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the middle of her,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

1 Thessalonians iii. 8-May
... For that wickedness defiles the soul, hear the prophet, saying ... A beautiful person,
the pride of rank, the costliness ... him, who had even wished to murder him, who ...
/.../homily iv 1 thessalonians iii.htm

Mercy's Master Motive
... his country; a ruffian red-handed with murder, and dripping ... that can be found in
your person or in ... are slobbered with tears; when repentance defiles the face ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... from an evil matter will not company with a person that pollutes and defiles, nor
will ... 1 Corinthians 8:13) Where is Dorcas, with her garments she used ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... resistance, and the invading host halted within sight of the defiles of Khashmar.***. ...
sheep, daughters of his nobles with befitting changes of garments, and all ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... the cities of Thessaly; having reached the defiles of the ... six months, when he was
planning the murder of the ... intended to assume the command in person; but, by ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... and enlarged the borders of their garments;" Matthew 23.p ... definition right; but as
to his person and personal ... for sin, where it is, pollutes, defiles, and makes ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... and enlarge the borders of their garments." (Matthew 23:5 ... definition right; but as
to his person and personal ... For sin, where it is, pollutes, defiles, and makes ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

part i
... prays; those build on a rock who, during the whole time of their prayer, have their
eyes fixed upon God, and pray to Him as to a living person, conversing face ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

part ii
... If the reverse is the case, every spiritually sick person may say: "Physician ... An
adulterer sees that through adultery he defiles and dishonours his nature, his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm