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2Put simply, shooting and killing in war as an act of self-defence for your country, government, family and friends. Within the agreed military rules of engagement it’s OK . . . but read on.

This is probably the greatest challenge that anyone in the services has to face—that of having to shoot someone in the line of duty. Maybe you want to know the answer to this question because you’re wondering how killing in war lines up with the sixth of the 10 Commandments given by God: “You shall not kill”.

In fact these 10 guidelines were originally written down in Hebrew, and the sixth commandment is correctly translated as “You shall not murder”—which is very different!

When Jesus was teaching on this commandment He said this: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago that ‘you shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement’. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement’” (Matt. 5:21).

Jesus was saying this command isn’t simply about taking someone’s life. It’s about our feelings towards each other. Murder comes from selfishness, hate and anger—all of which we can be guilty of on any given day. If we live with these feelings towards others, even if we don’t murder, we go through the same thought process that lead to murder, and should still be judged.

When it comes to killing in war, in theory it is not for selfish gain, or out of anger or hate. It is out of self-defence for your country, government, family and friends. So killing in war is not murder, and it does not conflict with God’s command.

— Russell, an Our Daily Bread reader

 2 people have responded to this question.
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