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The way you framed your question, it looks like you will pounce whether they answer yes, or no.
"It is righteous to stand up against wickedness, and defend the weak." YES.
"Is it righteous for a Believer to prepare for such conflicts physically?"...I wouldn't use the word righteous, but it is permissible.
"Or is spiritual preparation alone what is called for by Christ?"... That part is a must.
"It is righteous to stand up against wickedness, and defend the weak." YES.
"Is it righteous for a Believer to prepare for such conflicts physically?"...I wouldn't use the word righteous, but it is permissible.
"Or is spiritual preparation alone what is called for by Christ?"... That part is a must.
M
I think this topic requires that we be honest about where some folks are in their faith...for one who has seen the protection of God and knows the power of God...it would be perfectly normal for them to have a greater dependence on God in times of stress or danger. For a weaker believer there could be a physical reaction to an event that would be perfectly acceptable to God. I have seen the supernatural protection of the Lord and that would give me a boldness to enter a dangerous situation in a way that others who have not been called to minister as I have, would not. It would be wrong of me to condemn others who have a different calling to understand what only experience in danger and a call to ministry can teach. A father or husband or a police officer etc... all have their calling as well
I suppose you would need to look to the bible for the answer.
David was prepared physically before he came up against Goliath. He was also prepared spiritually.
Samson as well.
The Lord Jesus Himself was prepared physically before He came into the temple with his whip. If He was a little, wimpy, pacifist, I don't think the money changers would have scurried away.
I suppose that is something to think about as well.
David was prepared physically before he came up against Goliath. He was also prepared spiritually.
Samson as well.
The Lord Jesus Himself was prepared physically before He came into the temple with his whip. If He was a little, wimpy, pacifist, I don't think the money changers would have scurried away.
I suppose that is something to think about as well.
As I have stated in another post, I feel we very possibly may be responding out of fear and even cowardice IF we do not already possess the knowledge that we are capable of handling the particular incident facing us.... but, are "CHOOSING" to give up that pretty confident avenue to, instead, trust in what God decides should be the outcome of the impending altercation.
It's probably easier to say we are depending on God when we have no doubt we are about to get ourselves whipped to within an inch of our life, and there is not a thing we can do about it BUT hope God will get us out of it.
It's probably easier to say we are depending on God when we have no doubt we are about to get ourselves whipped to within an inch of our life, and there is not a thing we can do about it BUT hope God will get us out of it.
A
It seems to me, God is not opposed to war. Matter of fact, he demands it. But, that doesn't make us all warriors. I will do what I can do if face-to-face with such a choice, but I will not be packing. I've already had that tested in my life. I absolutely know I cannot kill someone, even to save my own life or the life of someone I love. This isn't some mental scenario thing I tested in my mind. I've been in life or death scenarios twice and cannot kill.
Therefore packing is moronic. All packing a gun would do for me is to give an assailant a free gun. So prepare as God tells you to.
Because, notice -- I've been in two life-or-death scenarios, could not/would not kill my assailants and yet, here I am. I was prepared to die and yet it wasn't my time to die. (And, I'm no pacifist either. I'm definitely willing to maim. lol)
So, really. It's whatever God tells you to do. There is no command for all believers, except we be his tools on earth.
Therefore packing is moronic. All packing a gun would do for me is to give an assailant a free gun. So prepare as God tells you to.
Because, notice -- I've been in two life-or-death scenarios, could not/would not kill my assailants and yet, here I am. I was prepared to die and yet it wasn't my time to die. (And, I'm no pacifist either. I'm definitely willing to maim. lol)
So, really. It's whatever God tells you to do. There is no command for all believers, except we be his tools on earth.
However prepared (physically and Spiritually); there is always the possibility of meeting an overwhelmingly superior force. That is why total dependence on God is necessary. If the overwhelming force is bent on evil; we are still obliged to resist it If God intervenes on your behalf; Praise the Lord! If not do as much damage to the evil force as possible on your way down.
L
Where my mind is going, is towards the potential of future persecution against myself and my loved ones because of our Faith, even the potential of martyrdom.
How should I respond when/if it happens? (I speak of persecution in the active aggressive sense, not the passive one that we face even now).
Is it Biblically sound (is it beneficial?, as it is certainly permissible) to prepare to resist persecution and martyrdom physically?
What about simply fleeing before it comes, to a safer quieter place? This seems very good to me, but also would be removing myself from society, and therefore, from evangelistic opportunity.
The real question I'm talking about is not about random gunmen in a theater, or thieves in your house,
but about the persecution of the Church:
"To prep, or not to prep. That is the question."
Do I stock up on toilet paper and ammunition and buy a cabin in upstate NY, or do I remain where I am as if ignorant of what is brewing in the political sphere?
How should I respond when/if it happens? (I speak of persecution in the active aggressive sense, not the passive one that we face even now).
Is it Biblically sound (is it beneficial?, as it is certainly permissible) to prepare to resist persecution and martyrdom physically?
What about simply fleeing before it comes, to a safer quieter place? This seems very good to me, but also would be removing myself from society, and therefore, from evangelistic opportunity.
The real question I'm talking about is not about random gunmen in a theater, or thieves in your house,
but about the persecution of the Church:
"To prep, or not to prep. That is the question."
Do I stock up on toilet paper and ammunition and buy a cabin in upstate NY, or do I remain where I am as if ignorant of what is brewing in the political sphere?
L
Turning the spiritual fight into a physical one is basically a fantasy for all us guys.
I just wonder if it's a good fantasy, based on our role and purpose,
or a carnal perversion of what is True.
Or is it neither good or perverse, and just... there, to be turned for good or evil when moments of opportunity arise.
I just wonder if it's a good fantasy, based on our role and purpose,
or a carnal perversion of what is True.
Or is it neither good or perverse, and just... there, to be turned for good or evil when moments of opportunity arise.
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M
You know as believers, motive, is everything ..if we give ourselves over to be burned and don't do it motivated by love ..it profits us nothing . I don't think its our place to be telling folks to lay down their life for the faith, that's a issue between a believer and the Lord. If a believer cannot hear the Lord for themselves? I think its safe to say they have not the proper motives to lay down their lives. I don't think this teaching that we are called to lay down our lives out of guilt or as a religious obligation has anything to do with why we serve God in love.