← August 15, 2026
Do Not Murder
Scripture Reading — ;
“What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”
—
One of my guilty pleasures is to watch crime shows on Friday evenings while enjoying chocolate and apple slices. Though I like the puzzle effect, drama, and suspense of these TV shows, I sometimes feel uneasy that murder is usually at the heart of this entertainment. God doesn’t find murder amusing at all.
Early in the Bible’s account of human history, we encounter a murder story. There’s nothing entertaining or mysterious about this calculated murder: Cain, out of sheer resentment, jealousy, and malice, brutally kills his innocent brother, Abel. And ever since then, the pages of human history have been soaked with the blood of countless murders.
In the sixth commandment God declares his hatred of murder. Though the command itself does not include a reason, we learn in that God hates murder because every person is made in the image of God. Killing others is an affront to God himself. Because only God can create life, only God may take it. After Abel’s murder, God swiftly brought Cain to justice.
We should hate murder too. We should hate the senseless killing we see in our world and in our societies—not only murders recognized as crimes, but also those considered as “medical” necessities that represent a devaluing of human life. We should hate the taking of life as an offense to God and to his design for human society.
Jesus, you gave up your life for us so that we might live for you. Help us to honor, value, and protect others as you call us to do. Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the former director of ReFrame Ministries and Executive Editor of Today, serving from August 2012 through July 2026. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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