The word of God is very plain about murder. It is a clear violation of God’s law for one to murder another human being. While the Bible does make distinctions between capital punishment and killing in self-defense, murdering someone “in cold blood” is sinful.

That having been said, we have seen several news cycles that show people who are experiencing “joy” at witnessing the murder of other innocent human beings. Some have even expressed a desire for others to die in assassination attempts and call for the killing of people that they simply disagree with in political, social, and economic philosophies.

Just recently, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Humana Healthcare, Brian Thompson, was murdered in cold blood. His assassin, Luigi Mangione, shot him in the back of his calf muscle, watched him fall to the pavement, and shot him two more times. As of now, reports say this murder happened because Mangione did not receive the type of health care that he believed he was entitled to after suffering some life-altering injuries.

Brian Thompson leaves behind a wife and two sons. People who wrote about Thompson quoted his associates as saying he was “one of the good guys” who wanted to change the healthcare system to help people get better and have more benefits.1 It is ironic to think Mangione would select this person for assassination.

Certain elements of our society have championed Mangione as some type of hero for murdering the CEO of Humana Healthcare. Certain female podcasters have expressed a romantic interest in Mangione. On top of these things, some circulars have been produced that show the images of other health care CEOs in color and Brian Thompson’s picture in black and white. These circulars have been taken down, but the implication is these other CEO should be murdered in cold blood. A type of hit list, if you will, encouraging others to follow the example set by Mangione.2

Taylor Lorenze, a former reporter for The Washington Post and the New York Times said that this murder made her feel “joyful” regarding what it stood for as she was interviewed by Piers Morgan. Morgan was rightfully disgusted with her response, and her explanation was equally disturbing. Lorenze said, “The Americans that be murdered…So are the tens of thousands of Americans, innocent Americans who died because greedy health insurance executives like this one push policies of denying care to the most vulnerable people. The many millions of Americans that have watched people that I care about suffer and in some cases die because of lack healthcare.”3 None of these issues justifies murder or feeling “joy” over such a thing.

To make matters worse, a recent study showed an alarming number of young people who viewed the murder in a favorable light. Forty-one percent of eighteen- to twenty-nine-year-old individuals found the murder to be acceptable.4 Liberal pundits seem to express a degree of understanding for Mangione in various interviews that have been conducted over the last several days since the murder of Thomspon. This includes politicians and people in the liberal media.5 This reasoning adds a new dimension to “cancel culture.”

What does it say for the morality of a society that endorses the murder of people with whom they disagree? Are some in our nation so bloodthirsty that they can justify murdering people for just about any reason?

There are many people we tend to disagree with in our culture; especially those who teach false doctrines in religious matters. We do not always agree with people who vary with our political views. That having been said, no reasonable, moral human being seeks to kill those with whom he disagrees.

Human life is sacred in the eyes of God. One of the first commandments that is offered to the patriarch Noah, straight off the Ark, is prohibitions and punishment for murder. Genesis 9:6 says, "Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.” When Moses was given the Ten Commandments, one prohibition was against murder. Exodus 20:13 says, "You shall not murder.” If a person murdered another human being without reasonable justification, they were to be executed under the Law of Moses. Leviticus 24:17 says, “Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death.” The life of a human was so valuable in the eyes to God that one guilty of murder forfeited his life as punishment. If God held human life in such high esteem, Christians should too.

Consequently, Christians should realize that it is not their right, biblically speaking, to execute revenge upon those who have wronged them. We will be mistreated for our religious views. People will attempt to deal with us unfairly in business dealings. We will feel as if we have been treated poorly in various facets of life. These things do not give us the right to be unilateral judge, jury, and executioner. Romans 12:17-21 says, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy; is hungry, feed him; If he his thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Finally, government authorities are the God-ordained entities tasked with executing judgement upon those who are criminals—not the people of God. Romans 13:1-4 says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do

evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”


1 https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/ UnitedHealth Group says slain CEO Brian Thompson was 'one of the good guys' - Good Morning America
2 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ ‘Wanted’ CEO posters and other threats emerge after Mangione arrest
3 Leftists Celebrate an Anti-Capitalist Murderer & Mourn the Acquittal of a Marine Who Saved his Fellow Subway Passengers from a Deranged Violent Criminal - Verdict with Ted Cruz | iHeart
4 41 percent of young voters find killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO acceptable
5 Verdict with Ted Cruz | iHeart.com /podcast/1119-verdict-with-ted-cruz-56253661/episode/abc-apologizes-pays-trump-15mil-248793750/