Embracing Life: The Depth of 'Do Not Kill'

Devotional

Day 1: The Sacred Worth of Every Human Life

Every human being is created in the image of God, which means that each person carries an inherent, sacred value and dignity that must be honored and protected. When we harm another person—whether physically, emotionally, or with our words—we are not only hurting them but also wounding the heart of God, who claims each of us as His own. This truth forms the foundation for human rights and civil rights, reminding us that our treatment of others is a reflection of our reverence for the Creator. Let this knowledge shape how you see and interact with every person you encounter today. [07:42]

Genesis 9:6 (Common English Bible)
"Whoever sheds human blood, by a human, his blood will be shed; for in the divine image God made human beings."

Reflection: Who is someone you tend to overlook or dismiss in your daily life? How might you treat them differently today if you truly believed they bear the image of God?

Day 2: The Power of Words to Harm or Heal

Our words have the power to either build up or destroy, to offer grace or to inflict deep wounds. Jesus teaches that the commandment "do not kill" extends beyond physical violence to include the ways we can harm others with our speech—insults, slander, and cruel remarks can crush a person's spirit and leave lasting scars. Instead, we are called to use our words to give grace, kindness, and encouragement, reflecting God's love to those around us, even when it is difficult. [28:27]

Ephesians 4:29 (NRSV)
"Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have hurt someone. What is one way you can intentionally use your words to encourage or build up someone today?

Day 3: The Call to Forgive—Not to Seek Vengeance

Jesus calls us to a radical forgiveness that goes far beyond what feels fair or deserved, instructing us to forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times. This echoes and reverses the ancient cycle of vengeance, inviting us to break the chain of retaliation and instead choose mercy, grace, and reconciliation. Forgiveness does not mean excusing harm, but it does mean releasing the desire to get even and allowing God’s love to transform our hearts and relationships. [33:37]

Matthew 18:21-22 (NRSV)
"Then Peter came and said to him, 'Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.'"

Reflection: Is there someone you are struggling to forgive? What is one step you can take today to begin releasing your resentment and moving toward forgiveness?

Day 4: Taking Responsibility for Our Neighbor’s Well-being

We are called not to stand by passively when others are in danger or suffering, but to take responsibility for the safety and well-being of our neighbors. This means advocating for justice, supporting wise laws, and taking practical steps to prevent harm—whether through our votes, our voices, or our actions. In a world where violence and neglect can seem overwhelming, God invites us to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper, actively working for the good of all. [15:59]

Leviticus 19:16 (NRSV)
"You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand idly by when the blood of your neighbor is at stake: I am the Lord."

Reflection: What is one concrete action you can take this week to protect or advocate for someone vulnerable in your community?

Day 5: Transforming Anger and Hurt into Love

Jesus teaches that the root of violence and harm is often found in unresolved anger, bitterness, and resentment. Rather than letting these emotions fester and lead to destructive actions or words, we are called to respond with love, prayer, and kindness—even toward those who have wronged us. By choosing to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us, we open ourselves to God’s transforming power, which can heal relationships and bring peace to our hearts. [31:04]

Matthew 5:43-44 (NRSV)
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Reflection: Who is someone you find difficult to love or pray for? How can you take a small step today to show them kindness or lift them up in prayer?

Sermon Summary

The journey through the sixth commandment, “Do not kill,” reveals a depth that extends far beyond the literal act of murder. From the earliest stories in Genesis, violence and vengeance have plagued humanity, but at the heart of God’s command is the sacred worth of every human being, created in the image of God. This divine imprint means that to harm another is to harm God Himself, and it is the foundation for our understanding of human rights and civil rights. The commandment is not just about refraining from physical violence; it is a call to honor the sanctity of life in all its forms—physical, emotional, and spiritual.

The conversation with Rabbi Art Nemetov highlights that both Jewish and Christian traditions see this commandment as encompassing more than murder. It includes the emotional harm we inflict with our words and actions. In our own city, the reality of violence is sobering, and it challenges us to consider our collective responsibility. Laws and policies matter, but so do the conditions of our hearts. Anger, jealousy, resentment, and fear are the roots of violence, and these are matters that only God can transform from within.

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, intensifies the commandment by addressing the heart. He teaches that harboring anger or using demeaning words is a violation of the commandment’s spirit. Words can destroy as surely as weapons can, and in our age of social media, the power to harm with words is amplified. The stories shared—of children bullied for their identity, of families wounded by the church’s words, of a mother’s forgiveness after unimaginable harm—remind us that our words and actions can either affirm the image of God in others or crush their spirits.

The call is to be a people whose words give grace, who return kindness for insult, and who practice radical forgiveness. Jesus replaces the cycle of vengeance with a cycle of grace: where Lamech vowed seventy-sevenfold vengeance, Jesus commands seventy-sevenfold forgiveness. This is not easy, but it is the way of Christ. To forgive, to let go of resentment, and to seek reconciliation is to participate in God’s redemptive work. In doing so, we become a community where love, grace, and welcome are not just ideals, but lived realities.

Key Takeaways

1. The Image of God and Sacred Worth Every human being bears the divine image, which means that to harm another—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—is to harm God Himself. This truth is the foundation for human rights and civil rights, reminding us that our treatment of others is a reflection of our reverence for God. When we recognize the sacred worth in each person, our actions and words are transformed by respect and compassion. [08:16]
2. The Power and Responsibility of Words Jesus teaches that the commandment “do not kill” extends to the words we use. Insults, slander, and demeaning language can crush a person’s spirit and inflict deep wounds. In a world where words are often weaponized, especially online, we are called to use our speech to build up, to give grace, and to affirm the dignity of others, recognizing that our words have the power to give life or to destroy. [18:47]
3. Collective Responsibility and Justice The prevalence of violence in our communities is not just an individual issue but a collective one. When laws and policies fail to protect or even enable harm, we share in the responsibility. Scripture calls us not to stand by while our neighbor’s blood is shed, urging us to advocate for justice, safety, and the well-being of all, especially the vulnerable. [16:16]
4. The Radical Call to Forgiveness Jesus overturns the ancient cycle of vengeance by commanding forgiveness—not just once, but seventy-seven times. Forgiveness is not about excusing harm but about choosing not to perpetuate cycles of resentment and retaliation. This radical grace frees both the forgiver and the forgiven, opening the door to healing and new beginnings, as seen in the story of Victoria Ruvolo. [33:19]
5. Becoming a Community of Grace To follow Christ is to become a people whose words and actions consistently give grace. This means returning kindness for insult, seeking reconciliation, and creating spaces where all are welcomed and affirmed as children of God. Such a community becomes a living witness to the love and mercy of Christ, embodying the ethic of love at the heart of the gospel. [28:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:33] - Invitation to Engage and Scripture Readings
[02:48] - Reviewing and Memorizing the Ten Commandments
[03:43] - The Sixth Commandment: Do Not Kill
[04:19] - Cain and Abel: The First Murder
[05:50] - Lamech and the Cycle of Vengeance
[06:24] - Violence in Genesis and the Flood
[06:50] - The Image of God and Human Worth
[08:42] - Jewish Perspective on “Do Not Kill”
[10:23] - The Sanctity of Life and Ethical Implications
[11:30] - Violence in Our City: Statistics and Reflections
[13:03] - Gun Laws, Responsibility, and Public Safety
[16:16] - “You Are Your Brother’s Keeper”
[17:12] - Jesus on Anger and Words in the Sermon on the Mount
[18:47] - The Power of Words to Harm or Heal
[21:02] - The Church, LGBTQ Persons, and the Power of Inclusion
[25:38] - Stories of Harm and Hope in the Church
[27:35] - Turning the Other Cheek and Responding with Grace
[28:27] - Ephesians 4:29 and Words that Give Grace
[29:35] - Everyday Encounters: Choosing Kindness
[31:04] - Loving Enemies and Defeating Evil with Good
[32:35] - Forgiveness at the Heart of Christian Life
[33:19] - Seventy-Sevenfold Forgiveness
[33:53] - The Story of Victoria Ruvolo and Radical Forgiveness
[38:23] - Living Words of Life and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Exodus 20:13 — “You shall not murder.”

2. Matthew 5:21-24
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

3. Ephesians 4:29-32
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, what does it mean that every human being is made in the image of God, and how does this relate to the commandment “Do not kill”? [[08:16]]
In Matthew 5, how does Jesus expand the meaning of “do not murder” beyond the physical act? What specific examples does he give? [[17:31]]
What does Ephesians 4:29 say about the kind of words we should use, and what is the intended effect of those words? [[28:27]]
The sermon mentions the story of Lamech and the cycle of vengeance. What was Lamech’s attitude, and how does Jesus reverse this in his teaching? [[05:50]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that to harm another person is to harm God Himself because of the divine image. How might this understanding change the way someone views people they disagree with or dislike? [[08:16]]
Jesus teaches that anger and insults are violations of the commandment’s spirit. Why do you think Jesus places such importance on our inner attitudes and words, not just our actions? [[17:31]]
The sermon discusses collective responsibility for violence in our communities. What does it mean to be “your brother’s keeper” in today’s society, and how might this apply to issues like laws and public safety? [[16:16]]
The story of Victoria Ruvolo was shared as an example of radical forgiveness. What does her response teach us about the power and cost of forgiveness? [[33:53]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to see every person as having sacred worth. Think of someone you find difficult to love or respect. What would it look like to treat them as someone made in the image of God? [[08:16]]
Jesus warns against using demeaning words and harboring anger. Are there situations in your life—at home, work, or online—where your words or attitudes have harmed someone? What is one step you could take this week to repair that harm? [[18:47]]
The power of words is amplified in our digital age. Have you ever witnessed or participated in harmful speech online? What boundaries or practices could you put in place to ensure your online presence gives grace rather than harm? [[19:56]]
The sermon calls us to collective responsibility for justice and safety. Is there a local issue—such as violence, bullying, or exclusion—where you feel called to speak up or take action? What is one practical thing you could do? [[16:16]]
Jesus commands us to forgive “seventy-seven times.” Is there someone you need to forgive, or a resentment you need to let go of? What is holding you back, and what would it take to begin that process? [[33:19]]
The story of Victoria Ruvolo shows the impact of radical forgiveness. Can you recall a time when you received unexpected grace or forgiveness? How did it affect you, and how might you extend that same grace to someone else? [[33:53]]
The sermon ends with a call to be a community of grace. What is one way your small group or church could become a more welcoming and affirming place for all people, especially those who have been hurt by the church or by others? [[28:27]]

Sermon Clips

There is so much more here than what we realize. And so we're going to try to read and understand this commandment together and then look at it through the eyes of Jesus. I want to begin by reminding you that the first murder occurs in Genesis, chapter four in the Bible. Adam and Eve are exiled from the Garden of Eden. This beautiful archetypal story about how we as human beings know the thing that God wants us to do. But we often listen to the voice of the whispers of the serpent doing the thing we shouldn't do. And paradise is lost as Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden. [00:04:12] (29 seconds) #ParadiseLostAndFound

Now, if somebody goes to hurt one of my children, can I tell you how personally I take that? Somebody hurts my granddaughter, picks on her, makes fun of her. I take that intensely, personally, because they're hurting a part of my family. And this is in essence, what we find here, is that human beings, every human being, was created in the image of God. And so when you harm another human being, you're harming God. God takes it very personally. And this is saying that every human being has sacred worth and value in the eyes of God. And they are children of God. And so what you do to harm another human being is inflicting a pain upon God himself. [00:07:55] (31 seconds) #SacredWorthInEverySoul

But here's what I don't want us to miss, that when we are harming another human being, whether it's by our words or by our actions, we are violating the spirit of this commandment. And when we think about this commandment literally, we wonder sometimes, well, what does this really have to do with us today? We don't live in such a violent time as they lived in ages long ago. But I want to remind you, in Kansas City at least, we live in a place where there are a lot of murders that happen every year. [00:10:57] (26 seconds) #ModernViolenceResponsibility

So what leads somebody to kill another human being? I spent some time researching this this week, and it doesn't really take much research. You can figure this out. Anger, jealousy, resentment, vengeance, fear, insecurity, criminal acts. That is, you're trying to rob somebody and you end up using a gun, discharging it, hate. And there are others. But these are the primary instincts that move us. And you know what's interesting about this is all of these are heart issues. You can't really legislate away the heart issues. That has to do with something that changes us from the inside out. [00:16:37] (35 seconds) #WordsThatWound

But then he talks about violating this commandment is not just killing another person. It's what we do with our words. And so he says, if you say raca, which is, you idiot. Now, this is a Hebrew cuss word. If you say raca, you idiot, you are in danger of judgment from the council. And then if he. And then he says, and if you say more, which is the root word of our word, moron. If you call somebody a moron, you're in danger of going to hell. You get the sense that Jesus takes us really seriously, like the words that we use towards other people. We're not just talking. Jesus says, we're not just talking about murdering somebody. We're talking about killing their soul. We're talking about harming their spirit. We're talking about the kind of impact we have. [00:18:09] (38 seconds) #RespectTheImageOfGod

When you say things that are not just, I disagree with you, and here's why, but when you're making personal attacks on people, you are harming somebody created in the image of God. When you are saying insulting or hurtful things to another human being, this is somebody who belongs to God, a child of God, and you're held in danger of the judgment, maybe even hellfire, if this is the way you live your life, is what Jesus is saying. [00:20:32] (20 seconds) #GraceOverRetaliation

Now, Jesus said this. When someone strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek. It's interesting. That wasn't about punching somebody. You strike somebody with the back of Your hand. It was an insult in the first century. And when you struck them this way, insulting them. Jesus says don't insult people back. When you've been insulted, don't insult them back. We live in a time where we're so used to insulting people back. [00:27:29] (17 seconds) #PowerOfAGentleWord

What does it look like for your words to give grace to those who hear? Grace is unmerited, undeserved kindness. No matter what somebody else has said to you, you return unmerited kindness, you return unmerited favor. And something happens when you return kindness. For evil is the other person's put to shame. The other person begins to feel guilty about what they did. The other person begins to retract when you return kindness for blessing, a gentle word turns away wrath. [00:28:41] (26 seconds) #LoveYourEnemiesPray

And I looked for something to think. And she had glasses on. And I thought her glasses were pretty. And I said, I really like your glasses. I got there. What do you need? I said, well, first, I really like your glasses. Where'd you get them? Kind of stopped her in her tracks. And I got them at Target. And I said, oh, that's really great. Thank you. I said, I want to say one more thing. I want to thank you for being here. I know you have a thankless job, but, you know, were you not here? I couldn't get gas today. I couldn't do the things I do. And all these customers who come in here, you make their lives possible. And I just want to say thank you for being here for us. And I watched as her lower lip began to quiver and the tears began to well up in her eyes. And this is what she told me. That is the first nice thing somebody said to me here in months. After I paid for my gas, I walked out and I listened as she took the next customer. How may I help you today? How can I serve you today? It was a fundamental change when there was a word of grace that came to someone who needed it. [00:29:58] (55 seconds) #ForgivenessWithoutLimit

Jesus said this. You have heard that it was said, you must love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you may be. So that you will be acting as children of your Father who's in heaven. You see what he's doing? He keeps building up line after line. He's showing us how differently to live. So you pray for your enemies and you love your enemies. That doesn't mean you have warm, fuzzy feelings for them. It means that you return kindness for the unkindness that you've been shown. And somehow that begins to change. It changes you, but it also begins, or at least has the potential to change them. [00:30:53] (32 seconds) #LiveWordsOfLife

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