We live in a time when the line between ideas and violence feels alarmingly thin. In September 2025, the country was jolted by the murder of political commentator Charlie Kirk during a campus event at Utah Valley University—an act that sparked national outrage and forced us to confront how we define murder, justice, and the sanctity of human life. Against this backdrop, this episode invites you to step back and ask: what is murder? Is every killing equivalent to murder? And who gets to decide?

In this episode, we examine the biblical commandment “You shall not murder” and how it was applied in ancient Israel, where murder was met with the severest penalties. Through stories like Cain and Abel, we see how deeply personal and spiritual the issue of murder really is. And in the New Testament, Jesus moves the conversation from the courtroom to the heart, declaring that even hatred or contempt toward another person is spiritually equivalent to murder. It’s a radical standard—one that challenges not just actions, but our inner lives and motivations. Ultimately, we wrestle with how these ancient teachings speak directly into the violence, division, and moral confusion of our world today. In an age when disagreement can quickly spiral into dehumanization, and anger often masquerades as justice, the Bible calls us to something higher: a deep reverence for human life, accountability for evil, and a warning against allowing bitterness to take root.

Show notes:

Contact Information for questions and topics:

getscrolled@graftedin.com

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Show Music by Jake Brake

Sponsored by:

The Harvest Ministries – graftedin.com

Show Resources:

Genesis 4; 9:6

Exodus 20:13

Deuteronomy 5:17

Leviticus 24:17

Proverbs 6:16-19

Matthew 5:21-22

1 John 3:15