Ex 20:13--You shall not murder.
Many times this commandment has been mistranslated "You shall not kill." This has caused much confusion, and has been used as the basis for renouncing capital punishment and war. Murder is more than killing. Murder is taking someone’s life for selfish reasons, because of hate, envy, anger, for robbery, and so forth.
The New Testament used the Greek word phoneuo in Jesus’ repetition of the sixth commandment, and this word means to be a murderer. Of course the context and other commandments make it evident that the sixth commandment is against killing because of malice or evil intent. God commanded the killing of people in warfare, so killing in warfare and law enforcement is not spoken against by this commandment.
The Law made a difference between accidental slaying and premeditated killing, Num 35:15-24--These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.
But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him. If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died, or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
Jesus raised the bar by teaching that being angry with a brother is equivalent to murder. Matt 5:21-24--You have heard that the ancients were told, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and "Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, "You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, "You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Jesus taught that sin comes from the heart, Matt 15:17-20--Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated?
But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man;--.
Therefore we must learn to think good thoughts, if we are to honor the sixth commandment in our lives today. Seeking revenge can lead to murderous thoughts, and to violation of a good conscience before God. Vengeance belongs to God, and we should leave things in His hands.
Jesus taught that we should return good for evil. He also taught us that if we love our neighbor, we will do them no harm. Luke 6:27-31--But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.