Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ¹⁷A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, ¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

The third thing that God hates in this list of seven, are hands that shed innocent blood. Since the very beginning when Cain, out of jealousy, killed is brother Abel, this world has become a killing ground. Just what does God think of all this killing?

Thou Shalt Not Kill (Exodus 20:13). Most translations appropriately replace the word “kill” with the word “murder.” (Exodus 21:13, 14, 15, 16,17,23, 29) Killing commanded by God.

Not all “killing” is the same. Justifiable homicide – self defense: (Exodus 22:2-3 NIV)  “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; {3} but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. “A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft.

(Matthew 24:43 NIV)  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

Accidental homicide – (read Numbers 35:9ff).

Judicial homicide – (Deuteronomy 19:13 NIV)  Show him no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you.

(Romans 13:4 NIV)  For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Murder – (Exodus 21:22-23 NIV)  “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. {23} But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,

(Numbers 35:16-21 NIV)  “‘If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. {17} Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. {18} Or if anyone has a wooden object in his hand that could kill, and he hits someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. {19} The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. {20} If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies {21} or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

As A Man Thinks In His Heart. (Proverbs 23:7) As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

(Matthew 5:20-22) God deals with the roots, not just the fruits.

(1 John 3:15) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23) Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

Control your anger (Proverbs 19:11) The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is to his glory to overlook a transgression.

Bless & do good to your enemies (Romans 12:15 NIV)  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

(Romans 12:17 NIV)  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

(Romans 12:21 NIV)  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Conclusion: God offers forgiveness. (2 Corinthians 5:17) If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things has passed away; behold, all things have become new.