Biblical Defense of One's Own Life

[dcontroversal]

Many believe it is anti-Christian to defend yourself, a family member, stranger or even friend from certain death by using lethal force.....I believe the story of Esther proves this to be wrong......We all know how Haman conspired against the Jews and through deceit and playing Artaxerxes brought a law to pass that allowed a certain day of "death" to be leveled against the Jews if you will....the end result is Haman was hung on the cross he had prepared for Mordecai and the "KING Artaxerxes writes a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against those who would do them harm....NOTE this was after much prayer and intercession to God by the Jews......

the end result.....NOT ONE JEW was killed and the JEWS KILLED 75,000 of their enemy (Josephus as a second witness)

NO ONE will ever convince me that God's hand was not in this....It is biblical to defend the innocent as well as one's self against certain death by using lethal means........

What say you?

 

[PrynceNY]

John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16 - By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

 

[Grace777x70]

Paul said that the authorities were appointed by God and that they bear the sword for a reason.

If someone breaks in your house to kill your family - you will do whatever you have at your disposal to stop it. ( well...I know I would - the whole time I would be praying and whatever came up in my spirit - that's what I would do )

I believe we need to take situations as they come up. The Christian brethren that were being killed at the Roman games didn't fight back. They willingly gave their lives and in fact I read that they were so excited to see the Lord that they drew straws to see who would get the privilege of going into the arena first to die.

This is being persecuted for our faith is vastly different from someone coming to do natural harm to us and our families.

 

[dcontroversal]

Paul said that the authorities were appointed by God and that they bear the sword for a reason.

If someone breaks in your house to kill your family - you will do whatever you have at your disposal to stop it. ( well...I know I would - the whole time I would be praying and whatever came up in my spirit - that's what I would do )

I believe we need to take situations as they come up. The Christian brethren that were being killed at the Roman games didn't fight back. They willingly gave their lives and in fact I read that they were so excited to see the Lord that they drew straws to see who would get the privilege of going into the arena first to die.

This is being persecuted for our faith is vastly different from someone coming to do natural harm to us and our families.

Obviously each circumstance would be different....Giving one's life for the cause of Christ is not the same as a Islamic murderer trying to cut your head off in downtown NY City.....

 

[blue_ladybug]

I think God means for us to defend ourselves and each other. After all, if we didn't, we'd all get wiped out in one fell swoop, between serial killers, whack jobs on a killing spree and other evil entities seeking to kill and destroy human life. JMO

 

[Grace777x70]

I think God means for us to defend ourselves and each other. After all, if we didn't, we'd all get wiped out in one fell swoop, between serial killers, whack jobs on a killing spree and other evil entities seeking to kill and destroy human life. JMO

And from "deadly killer cats too"...

 

[Joidevivre]

Eccles. 3:3 "A time to kill and a time to heal". I do not think this is referring to killing a fly.

 

[dcontroversal]

Eccles. 3:3 "A time to kill and a time to heal". I do not think this is referring to killing a fly.

Excellent point.....HAHA

 

[Chesediel]

I wouldn't fault a man to defend himself, but I do believe there is a better way also. God can provide a way out I believe and also know this of a certainty having experienced such myself not very long a go either.

 

[dcontroversal]

I wouldn't fault a man to defend himself, but I do believe there is a better way also. God can provide a way out I believe and also know this of a certainty having experienced such myself not very long a go either.

Sometimes the only option is to fight for your life or the life of the ones around you....

 

[Chesediel]

Sometimes the only option is to fight for your life or the life of the ones around you....

For others yea I reckon I will fight tooth and nail, but for myself, frankly I don't really care about myself enough. A verse which strikes and rang true in my experience this past summer:

Luke 17:33

[SUP]33 [/SUP]Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

I know how in the world that sounds so utterly foolish, and yet it is true and so wise and I know it for a fact even beyond belief.

 

[dcontroversal]

For others yea I reckon I will fight tooth and nail, but for myself, frankly I don't really care about myself enough. A verse which strikes and rang true in my experience this past summer:

Luke 17:33

[SUP]33 [/SUP]Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

I know how in the world that sounds so utterly foolish, and yet it is true and so wise and I know it for a fact even beyond belief.

A very good verse, but has no bearing on what we have discussed...the whole context is giving up the world and it's ways in favor of God's word and seeking his kingdom 1st....... ;

 

[Chesediel]

A very good verse, but has no bearing on what we have discussed...the whole context is giving up the world and it's ways in favor of God's word and seeking his kingdom 1st....... ;

That's true but I think it applies also to this. In context even it seems to apply to this as well. I really can't argue against it having experienced it firsthand. Like I said though I wouldn't fault ya for defending yourself, but I also am utterly convicted that God can deliver one from the hands of death also. He did to me anyways. A few words he put in my mouth without me fore-thinking them delivered me out of the power of the gun.

 

[Chester]

I suppose we can find verses on either side of the issue to use for our "defense" if want to!

Ecclesiastes says - "a time to kill" and the Ten Commandments say, "do not kill" -- Jesus at one place told the disciples that two swords is "enough" - at another place he told Peter to put away his sword.

So, I give my opinion of what Scripture teaches when I look at it honestly. Jesus said that we are to love our enemies, and not to hate them. Jesus refused to take up the sword and fight for a physical kingdom. This I think is the New Testament model for the believer.

Hence I refuse to take up arms and kill another in self-defense.

 

[dcontroversal]

That's true but I think it applies also to this. In context even it seems to apply to this as well. I really can't argue against it having experienced it firsthand. Like I said though I wouldn't fault ya for defending yourself, but I also am utterly convicted that God can deliver one from the hands of death also. He did to me anyways. A few words he put in my mouth without me fore-thinking them delivered me out of the power of the gun.

Not saying that cannot happen, just saying that is not always the case and it is biblical to defend oneself from a deceitful bloody man that desires to snuff your life out.....that is all I am saying.......

 

[Chesediel]

Not saying that cannot happen, just saying that is not always the case and it is biblical to defend oneself from a deceitful bloody man that desires to snuff your life out.....that is all I am saying.......

I don't necessarily disagree, I just think that with God perhaps we could say there's more options.

 

[Dino246]

I have been blessed not to have to deal with a situation like this, and have not served in the military (thanks and respect to those who have and still do!). I've pondered what I would do in such a situation. Probably pray, probably fight, and probably do a fair bit of damage. Maybe the thing to do is pray that God would protect us and prevent such situations, and empower us as needed should they arise. Personally, I'm more in favour of the "I shouted 'Jesus!' and he ran away" kind of self-defense.

 

[dcontroversal]

I suppose we can find verses on either side of the issue to use for our "defense" if want to!

Ecclesiastes says - "a time to kill" and the Ten Commandments say, "do not kill" -- Jesus at one place told the disciples that two swords is "enough" - at another place he told Peter to put away his sword.

So, I give my opinion of what Scripture teaches when I look at it honestly. Jesus said that we are to love our enemies, and not to hate them. Jesus refused to take up the sword and fight for a physical kingdom. This I think is the New Testament model for the believer.

Hence I refuse to take up arms and kill another in self-defense.

I think a careful study will reveal the Ecclesiastes "time to kill" and the ten Commandments "do not kill" are speaking of two different things....To murder and to kill are two different things.....the commandments speaks to "murdering" someone....whereas killing in Ecclesiastes is not speaking to murder......

 

[Blain]

If ones reason to fight is to protect others and protect ones self it is biblical. I would never kill anyone but I would fight to protect others

 

[dcontroversal]

If ones reason to fight is to protect others and protect ones self it is biblical. I would never kill anyone but I would fight to protect others

I would......with extreme lethality (the Marine in me speaking) ......all jokes aside....I would defend one I love and use whatever means of violence I would have to use.....even lethal means!