How Christians Become Murderers—Without Knowing It
When Words Become Weapons in the Hands of Believers
Three people were killed this summer—two horrifying events on opposite sides of the world.
In the United States, Charlie Kirk, a conservative political commentator, was assassinated while speaking at a university in Utah. Whether you found yourself aligned with his political views or deeply opposed, the truth remains: he was a human being—made in the image of God. A husband. A father. A son. A friend. His life had value. And now he’s gone.
Thousands of miles away, in war-torn Gaza, Nahida Anton and her daughter Samar—Christian Palestinians seeking shelter inside the courtyard of Holy Family Church—were gunned down. Nahida was shot first. Samar ran to help her mother, only to be shot herself. Both died in the shadow of the cross.
These were not accidents. Not tragic coincidences. They were the fruit of something deeper—something rotten.
And here’s the terrifying truth:
We may not know the ones who pulled the triggers…
But many of us helped load the gun.
Jesus and the Hidden Violence Within
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment… whoever insults… whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
— Matthew 5:21–22
Jesus doesn’t begin with murder. He begins with contempt.
He traces the path backward—before the violence, before the bullet, before the scream—into the human heart. He uncovers the rot:
- the name-calling
- the disgust toward “them”
- the jokes we forward
- the mockery we post
- the silence we keep when our side cheers cruelty
Jesus says: That’s where murder begins.
A Culture Addicted to Contempt
America is in freefall. You can feel it in every news cycle, every political ad, every late-night monologue, every meme.
Opponents aren’t just wrong—they’re evil. Disagreement isn’t just political—it’s existential. We’re not debating anymore. We’re declaring war.
And the Church? Too often we’re indistinguishable from the culture we’re called to heal.
We’ve defended leaders who mock and degrade because we like their policies. We’ve excused vulgarity because it “gets results.” But when we do that, we trade the prophetic for the partisan. We stop being salt and light. We become co-conspirators in a culture of death.
The Tongue is a Trigger
“The tongue is a fire… a world of unrighteousness… set on fire by hell itself.”
— James 3:6
What we normalize in speech, we authorize in action. What we laugh at on Saturday becomes policy on Monday.
When contempt becomes culture, violence becomes inevitable.
A Dehumanized People Cannot Know Peace
This spirit of contempt fuels Gaza’s endless cycle of war. For decades, Israelis and Palestinians alike have traded not just rockets but rhetoric. Each side demonizes the other. Each side dehumanizes the other.
But dehumanization is never a strategy for peace. It’s the soil in which war grows.
That’s what justifies a sniper pulling the trigger as a mother crosses a church courtyard. That’s what numbs us when civilians die without consequence.
The same spirit is at work in America. Not over land, but over identity and fear. Cruelty is called strength. Vulgarity is framed as leadership. Opponents aren’t debated—they’re mocked, canceled, destroyed.
This is not righteousness. This is not the way of Jesus.
And if we do not repent, we will not only fracture. We will harden. And where hearts harden, peace dies.
What If We Saw Through Jesus’ Eyes?
What if we looked at Gaza and Washington… at the sniper and the slanderer… at the foreign terrorist and the domestic political enemy… through the eyes of Jesus?
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:44–45
If every person is sacred. If every enemy is someone Jesus died for. If every human is still an image-bearer.
Then there is no room for contempt. Not toward the other side. Not toward the guilty. Not even toward the murderer.
The way of Jesus is harder. But it’s the only way that leads to peace.
What Kind of People Will We Be?
We’re not called to win arguments. We’re called to witness. We’re not called to protect our tribe. We’re called to reflect our King.
So let me ask:
- Have you reposted something that dehumanizes others?
- Have you excused your side’s violence because the other side is “worse”?
- Have you prayed for those you hate?
- Have you wept for Charlie Kirk and for Nahida and Samar?
- Or have you whispered, “They got what they deserved”?
If murder begins in the heart and moves through the mouth, repentance must begin there too.
A Way Forward
There is another way. It will not trend. It will not sell tickets. But it will be faithful.
The way of Jesus.
So, Church:
- Let your words heal, not harm.
- Let your speech be seasoned with grace, not soaked in contempt.
- Let your loyalty belong to the Kingdom, not a political tribe.
- Let your grief be wide enough to include even your enemies.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
— Matthew 5:9
This is the fire the world needs—not hatred’s flame, but the refining fire of Christ. May it begin with us.