Thou Shalt Not Kill

Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.”

All Christians today would agree with that statement. There are some exceptions, I believe, such as defense of one's family and home (Exodus 22:2).

But many of those Christians would say that the US military killing people is also an exception, that it is acceptable and even necessary, and that these soldiers are innocent, because they were simply following orders. But that’s where they are wrong. There is nothing justifiable about sending troops to other countries and killing innocent people, and creating widows and orphans.

Take Jesus Christ’s death, for example. The men who tortured and killed him were following the orders of the governing authorities, but does that mean they were innocent? That killing the Lord was the right thing to do? Of course not, but that’s the logic that some professing Christians have today.

I refuse to support the state and its wars. War only creates more chaos, death, and destruction. War is never right, no matter who is involved. I will not take part in any war or killing of any kind for the State; I will obey God’s orders instead of the government’s. The Lord Jesus came to save people, not destroy them (Luke 9:56), and we should do the same. Instead of creating division with people in other countries by murdering them, we need to help them and share the word of God with them.

Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

“War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity; it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it.” - Martin Luther