At some point in life, everyone has either unintentionally stepped on a bug or any other insect or killed it. However, some people do not regard the life of insects as worthy, and thus they walk around killing them.
On the other hand, some people have bugs because they were left with no option as the bugs had maybe infested their homes and made their living uncomfortable.
If you fall under any of these categories, you might have to question whether you are sinning against God. Is killing bugs a sin?
The Bible does not explicitly rule out killing bugs as a sin. In the book of Genesis, God gives man dominion over every bird and insect during creation. However, just because we have dominion does not mean we go around killing insects. The Bible Psalms 50:11 implies that God values every creature he created. Therefore, if you kill it for no good reason, theologians note that you will sin against God.
So, what does the Bible say about killing insects? What does the Catholic catechism say about killing bugs? What do Christians believe about killing an insect? Does God forgive killing bugs for fun?
How do you remove bugs from your house in a humane way? Is killing a bug still killing, which violates God’s ten commandments?
Continue reading to get more information and answers to these questions and more.
What does the Bible say about killing insects?
There is no biblical guidance that prohibits Christians from killing insects. The Old Testament even went further and defined clean insects and unclean insects.
Leviticus 11:20-25 says, “All winged insects that go on all fours are detestable to you. Yet among the winged insects that go on all fours, you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to hop on the ground. Of them, you may eat: the locust of any kind, the bald locust of any kind, the cricket of any kind, and the grasshopper of any kind. But all other winged insects with four feet are unclean to you.”
Of course, in today’s world, most of us do not use insects as a source of food. We often kill bugs and spiders because they have infested our homes as pests. God gave us dominion over every other thing during creation.
Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that keeps on the earth.”
What does the Catholic catechism say about killing bugs?
The seventh commandment of the catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes respecting the integrity of all creation.
The catechism teaches that any animal and plant are, by nature, destined to benefit us in the present and even future.
It teaches that the dominion that God granted human beings over living creatures is not absolute. Therefore, because these animals and plants should serve humanity in a good way, it is not a sin to kill bugs as long as your purpose in killing them is to stop any negative effects they could bring to humanity.
Therefore, though bugs are God’s creatures, you can kill them if they harm you or bring you diseases.
What do Christians believe about killing an insect?
Christians have different views when it comes to killing insects. Some believe it is fine, while others believe it is a sin before God.
Those who argue that it is fun support their perspective by noting that God gave us dominion over every living creature.
Those on the other side note that just because we were given dominion doesn’t mean we kill insects, as there is a humane way of getting rid of them.
Therefore, killing insects is a matter of conscience.
Does God forgive killing bugs for fun?
The Bible does not mention anything that will happen to those who kill bugs for fun. However, theologians from GotQuestions Ministries argue that killing birds for fun is a sin, as God values every creature he created.
Though he gave us dominion over them, that does not mean we destroy them for fun.
How do you remove bugs from your house in a humane way?
Some people, however, do not agree with killing bugs. They choose to use a humane way to capture the bugs alive and dispose of them while alive at a safe distance from their houses.
Some people use a tool called the critter catcher. This tool allows you to capture a bug or any other pest and release it outside your house when it is alive and safe.
Is killing a bug still killing, which violates God’s Ten Commandments?
We all know that the Bible commands us in Exodus 20:13 that we should not kill. Some people who regard the lives of insects use this verse to justify why killing insects is bad.
However, is that really what the scripture meant when it ordered us not to kill?
Theologians and bible readers unanimously agree that the Bible meant the murder of a human being when this commandment was given to us, not squashing a bug to death.
However, God has a purpose for every living creature, and thus we should make a clear distinction between killing bugs and insects for no good reason and killing them because they are pests at your home and they are making you uncomfortable.
Psalms 50:11 says, “I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.” Therefore, we should not treat any creature with wanton cruelty, no matter how small.
Doing this can be regarded as going against God’s word and is thus a sin. The actions of a God-fearing person do not align with someone who kills insects just for fun.
References
Is it wrong to kill spiders or step on bugs?
Is killing a bug, spider, insect, ant, or snake a sin?
What Does the Bible Say About Killing Insects?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
