Self Defense - Is it wrong?

[AgeofKnowledge]

I will argue that it is wrong not to exercise moral lawful self-defense when an occasion genuinely calls for it as this is a primary method of containing evil in the world. It's a form of being salt and light.

 

[4enlightment]

Door three is also tied to (TEACH MY HANDS TO WAR) as David prayed!.......YES the WAR belongs to the LORD, but sometimes WE HAVE TO FIGHT THE BATTLES......NO I have not forgot the LORD......

It is a battle to do what is righteous as it was a battle to preserved God name in the physical aspect and which David was using. If we deal with matters in that way, and which they all had came up short, we will need someone to come and die on the cross again and which David and the rest had someone. So is there anyone out there that has a pure thought and a undefiled womb so that God can come back?

 

[4enlightment]

I agree and will add....There is no way I will ever be convinced that it would be wrong or sin to defend your family/friends etc. when a violent bloody man is attempting to rape/kill or violently assault said family and friends.

40 years in church and 27 years of intensive study has led to my stand....<--I know as this means nothing in the grand scheme of things!

I know that no one like that and I do know that no one want to live in a world that has these issues as well. But if I truly believe in God and he had said that there's a kingdom that doesn't has these issues, then I'm willing to do anything to let all this go; but that is if I truly believe. Takes strong faith to believe in something that my eyes can't see.

John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

 

[shrimp]

While it's true Jesus didn't fight back when His time came to be taken in Gethsemane, He did either use a Divine power, or His disciples somehow prevented, the Jews from stoning and seizing Him.
John10:30 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.John10:39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

We don't know exactly how he was unscathed in this event, but we DO know that in some way He defended Himself.

Then couldn't the argument be made that because we are His children won't God protect us or avenge us?

 

[dcontroversal]

Then couldn't the argument be made that because we are His children won't God protect us or avenge us?

God also gives us a brain, insight and intelligence so as to make wise decisions and know the difference between suffering for righteousness sake and DEFENDING our families and friends!

If we bear out your philosophy then Israel was in direct rebellion when they were commanded to place the watchman on the walls.

God also taught David how to make war as yes the war belongs unto God, but sometimes he expects us to do the WORK!

 

[TripleA]

If you were to defend yourself by fighting, or somebody else, is it okay? Or should we turn the other cheek, and allow ourselves to be beaten?

I am curious as to the poll results.

I am talking about strictly hand to hand combat, not weapons.

Please post your reasoning for your vote with scripture in the comments.

Thank you for participating.

Well, Jesus didn't fight back when he was beaten, whipped, scourged and crucified so I'd say to consider yourself true to the man who teaches you, self defence is irrelevant. What's there to defend when your life isn't yours, but it's forfeit to God and to giving up yourself anyway?

If 'taking up your cross' is the instruction, then what's a more obvious way to do it than carrying it for the attackers to crucify you?

 

[John_S]

Jesus Christ NEVER owned or used a weapon-and neither should His followers.

Here's a question.
When someone punches us on the left side of our face, Jesus Christ told us to
1. Shoot the other person.
2. Punch him or her back.
3. Fight back.
4. Run away.
5. Let him punch us on the right side of our face.

 

[ji]

If you were to defend yourself by fighting, or somebody else, is it okay? Or should we turn the other cheek, and allow ourselves to be beaten?

I am curious as to the poll results.

I am talking about strictly hand to hand combat, not weapons.

Please post your reasoning for your vote with scripture in the comments.

Thank you for participating.

Its not ok to lay hands on another person,no matter what as a Christian..
am saying this being a short tempered person,..i have been foolish in the past,even after getting Saved..
But God is showing me the Path of 'Turning the Other Cheek' as i Pray more..
That's the Secret..

​

 

[Simona25]

Here's a question.
When someone punches us on the left side of our face, Jesus Christ told us to
1. Shoot the other person.
2. Punch him or her back.
3. Fight back.
4. Run away.
5. Let him punch us on the right side of our face.

I understand that Christ is telling us not to repay the evil with evil, not to seek revenge (eye for an eye). When someone offends you, humble yourself, forgive him and turn the other cheek.
However, when someone is attacking you for rubbery, rape, murder etc., I think you, as a christian, have the right to defend and protect yourself.

 

[1Christianwarrior316]

Biblical Self-Defense: What does the Bible say about self-defense? Bible study about self-defense questions: Can a Christian own a gun? What do the Scriptures say about using lethal force for self-protection?

 

[Simona25]

Honestly, we have to look at our spiritual ancestors, the first Christians. They didn't fight back. They went to their deaths willingly.

Wait a minute there! The martyrs died because of Christ. If I, a christian, get killed in a stupid street attack, that doesn't make me a martyr.

 

[TripleA]

Wait a minute there! The martyrs died because of Christ. If I, a christian, get killed in a stupid street attack, that doesn't make me a martyr.

So you should only forebear when it serves to enhance your reputation among people?

 

[Simona25]

So you should only forebear when it suits your reputation?

I don't understand what you mean. The saints and martyrs of my church (eastern orthodox church) have been persecuted, tortured and killed because they refused to let go their faith, because they confessed the truth (Christ) with the price of their lives. The martyrdom is a reflection of this:

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."

 

[DavidLOVESsnow]

I don't understand what you mean. The saints and martyrs of my church (eastern orthodox church) have been persecuted, tortured and killed because they refused to let go their faith, because they confessed the truth (Christ) with the price of their lives. The martyrdom is a reflection of this:

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."

Simona, TripleA is here to mock Christianity. There has recently been an increase of members on CC that are here just to make fun of Christianity. You should do research on TripleA's other posts in different threads.

 

[shrimp]

God also gives us a brain, insight and intelligence so as to make wise decisions and know the difference between suffering for righteousness sake and DEFENDING our families and friends!

If we bear out your philosophy then Israel was in direct rebellion when they were commanded to place the watchman on the walls.

God also taught David how to make war as yes the war belongs unto God, but sometimes he expects us to do the WORK!

There is a distinct difference between war and self-defense.
The "work" that Jesus charged us with was sharing salvation with everyone.

Like I said, I don't know.
War should be God directed as should all other things.

Paul said, persecution wasn't a big deal. getting hurt or killed for Christ isn't that big of a deal. Paul also said that in these things we share in the same torment and pain Christ had when He was being mocked and killed.

 

[Simona25]

I don't understand what you mean. The saints and martyrs of my church (eastern orthodox church) have been persecuted, tortured and killed because they refused to let go their faith, because they confessed the truth (Christ) with the price of their lives. The martyrdom is a reflection of this:

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."

So, if someone attacks me for my faith and tries to kill me because of that and I endure and don't let go of Christ, then I am a martyr. If someone kills me for rubbery, I don't think that the church will canonize me as a martyr only because I got killed and I happen to be a baptized orthodox christian.

 

[Simona25]

Simona, TripleA is here to mock Christianity. There has recently been an increase of members on CC that are here just to make fun of Christianity. You should do research on TripleA's other posts in different threads.

Oh...
Ok, then.

 

[shrimp]

Simona, TripleA is here to mock Christianity. There has recently been an increase of members on CC that are here just to make fun of Christianity. You should do research on TripleA's other posts in different threads.

There may be some that do that, but sometimes they say something that we should really think about.
Usually, what they say implies the question "Why do you have a double standard, when Jesus, apparently, did not?"

 

[Simona25]

There may be some that do that, but sometimes they say something that we should really think about.
Usually, what they say implies the question "Why do you have a double standard, when Jesus, apparently, did not?"

There's no double standard. It's just that there is a BIG difference between a Christian facing death in Saudi Arabia because of CHRIST and an american (who happens to be a christian) that gets attacked by some drunkards.
You are vulgarizing the martyrdom if you put the two situations on the same level.

P.S.: protecting yourself is not the same thing with attacking.

 

[TripleA]

Simona, TripleA is here to mock Christianity. There has recently been an increase of members on CC that are here just to make fun of Christianity. You should do research on TripleA's other posts in different threads.

I don't see how you logically made the jump from my question to 'he's mocking', but I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less than overly-defensive mob-mentality here.

My point was, is forebearance only a trait worth having if it makes you a martyr? Or should it be something applied daily and consistently?