Fighting/self-defense

  • Thread starter Mybrokenlessthenthree
  • Start date
  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
M

Mybrokenlessthenthree

Guest
#1
#1
Okay, I know that murder is wrong, if you strait up attack someone.
That's pretty much what I know. But let's say...

You're walking down the hallway in school, someone comes up and punches you. What do you do? Turn the other cheek?
I mean they don't fight the just knock you in the face and keep walking, or attack in just a small way. They want you to fight.

What if you're walking in school and someone starts a fight, I'm not saying you're looking for it,or that you started it. I mean this guy comes up and just starts beating you down. Do you run, do you allow it, do you retaliate?

This is all because of I've heard christian men I respect say, "You can use self-defense" I'm thinking if I use self-defense someone's going to a hospital, so I really need an answer for this with school and all. Because 5/10 odds there will be something that will happen.

If someone is trying to kill you, and you kill them. What does the bible say about that?
Really need answers, because I've been told in self preservation it's okay. My soul say no, because they're God's creation, God has power to deliver me. And I fight then how am I like Jesus as the bible tells me to be?
I've read scriptures about this and my problem is there is so much going different ways I just don't know.
 
notuptome

notuptome

Senior Member
#2
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#2
Jesus told His disciples to take a sword with them for protection. We are to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. Don't start a confrontation but don't be a victim just of the sake of being a victim.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
Deadtosin

Deadtosin

Banned
#3
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
#3
Mybrokenlessthenthree said:
Okay, I know that murder is wrong, if you strait up attack someone.
That's pretty much what I know. But let's say...

You're walking down the hallway in school, someone comes up and punches you. What do you do? Turn the other cheek?
I mean they don't fight the just knock you in the face and keep walking, or attack in just a small way. They want you to fight.

What if you're walking in school and someone starts a fight, I'm not saying you're looking for it,or that you started it. I mean this guy comes up and just starts beating you down. Do you run, do you allow it, do you retaliate?

This is all because of I've heard christian men I respect say, "You can use self-defense" I'm thinking if I use self-defense someone's going to a hospital, so I really need an answer for this with school and all. Because 5/10 odds there will be something that will happen.

If someone is trying to kill you, and you kill them. What does the bible say about that?
Really need answers, because I've been told in self preservation it's okay. My soul say no, because they're God's creation, God has power to deliver me. And I fight then how am I like Jesus as the bible tells me to be?
I've read scriptures about this and my problem is there is so much going different ways I just don't know.
Click to expand...
The jaw is connected to your skull at the corners. There are nerves there that when jolted or severed cause immediate unconsciousness. That's why they say "hit him in the jaw." When punching it's not about how strong you are. It has to do with physics. If you ball your fist and place it against the wall at about arms length. Elbow "slightly" bent. Not much, just to keep from over extending and lean in. You will feel how your arm to shoulder should be aligned. Now imagine you have an iron rod extending from your middle knuckle out through your elbow. This shows you how your wrist should be aligned. Keep in mind that when you are striking there is a lot of force. Often body weights are included and you will only be as powerful as your weakest link. usually the wrist and knuckles. When punching follow bruce lees "one inch punch" he shows you that power doesn't come from the swing itself but the finished alignment just prior to impact. Combat is deception. So if your hands are at your side, nobody knows you are ready to swing. Using math the quickest way from point A to point B is a straight line. So draw an imaginary line from your fist to their jaw. Your hand can fly loosely til just prior to impact and then you tighten everything and fire. if it's an upward impact use your hips and shoulders with it, very powerful. Practice at home with where your alignment is and how to swing from hands at your side to aligned position like you had against the wall. I use my jab as first strike, I am ambidextrous and a jab is closer than a cross. Whichever hand is leading (the jab) you should have that foot SLIGHTLY forward, toe pointed forward and your back foot at an L to the side slightly back. It should be a comfortable stance and nobody should be able to tell you are in it. When someone is going to strike at you keep your head slightly down and keep your own jaw tight. Good luck.

Oh as for your original question, protect yourself and protect others.
 
3

3Scoreand10

Guest
#4
#4
Mybrokenlessthenthree said:
Okay, I know that murder is wrong, if you strait up attack someone.
That's pretty much what I know. But let's say...

You're walking down the hallway in school, someone comes up and punches you. What do you do? Turn the other cheek?
I mean they don't fight the just knock you in the face and keep walking, or attack in just a small way. They want you to fight.

What if you're walking in school and someone starts a fight, I'm not saying you're looking for it,or that you started it. I mean this guy comes up and just starts beating you down. Do you run, do you allow it, do you retaliate?

This is all because of I've heard christian men I respect say, "You can use self-defense" I'm thinking if I use self-defense someone's going to a hospital, so I really need an answer for this with school and all. Because 5/10 odds there will be something that will happen.

If someone is trying to kill you, and you kill them. What does the bible say about that?
Really need answers, because I've been told in self preservation it's okay. My soul say no, because they're God's creation, God has power to deliver me. And I fight then how am I like Jesus as the bible tells me to be?
I've read scriptures about this and my problem is there is so much going different ways I just don't know.
Click to expand...
At my age, fighting is out of the question.
BUT, if someone has the intent to harm my wife or daughter, some is going to the hospital or their grave.
The same is true if they try to harm my neighbor's wife, son, or mother.
 
BlackPlatypus

BlackPlatypus

Banned
#5
Aug 20, 2014
771
7
0
#5
I agree that we should never look for a fight.
If we are alive in the peace of Christ, how could we seek conflict and violence out?

That being said, in matters of self defense: [h=3]Proverbs 25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.[/h]
Mybrokenlessthenthree said:
Okay, I know that murder is wrong, if you strait up attack someone.
That's pretty much what I know. But let's say...

You're walking down the hallway in school, someone comes up and punches you. What do you do? Turn the other cheek?
I mean they don't fight the just knock you in the face and keep walking, or attack in just a small way. They want you to fight.

What if you're walking in school and someone starts a fight, I'm not saying you're looking for it,or that you started it. I mean this guy comes up and just starts beating you down. Do you run, do you allow it, do you retaliate?

This is all because of I've heard christian men I respect say, "You can use self-defense" I'm thinking if I use self-defense someone's going to a hospital, so I really need an answer for this with school and all. Because 5/10 odds there will be something that will happen.

If someone is trying to kill you, and you kill them. What does the bible say about that?
Really need answers, because I've been told in self preservation it's okay. My soul say no, because they're God's creation, God has power to deliver me. And I fight then how am I like Jesus as the bible tells me to be?
I've read scriptures about this and my problem is there is so much going different ways I just don't know.
Click to expand...
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#6
#6
There is nothing wrong with self defense.

We are allowed to protect ourselves, and to protect others.
Now that being said, if there is a way out of getting into a confrontation we are to seek that path first. Example if some one breaks into your house to rob you, if you can get out a window or another door and call the police to make sure no harm comes to you and your family then that is the way you are to go.

If there is no way out though, we are told not to do anything that could agitate the situation by the example Jesus gave us that if some one stills from you, give them your cloak to.

Always try to avoid the worse case situation if possible.
 
Jason0047

Jason0047

Banned
#7
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
#7
Mybrokenlessthenthree said:
Okay, I know that murder is wrong, if you strait up attack someone.
That's pretty much what I know. But let's say...

You're walking down the hallway in school, someone comes up and punches you. What do you do? Turn the other cheek?
I mean they don't fight the just knock you in the face and keep walking, or attack in just a small way. They want you to fight.

What if you're walking in school and someone starts a fight, I'm not saying you're looking for it,or that you started it. I mean this guy comes up and just starts beating you down. Do you run, do you allow it, do you retaliate?

This is all because of I've heard christian men I respect say, "You can use self-defense" I'm thinking if I use self-defense someone's going to a hospital, so I really need an answer for this with school and all. Because 5/10 odds there will be something that will happen.

If someone is trying to kill you, and you kill them. What does the bible say about that?
Really need answers, because I've been told in self preservation it's okay. My soul say no, because they're God's creation, God has power to deliver me. And I fight then how am I like Jesus as the bible tells me to be?
I've read scriptures about this and my problem is there is so much going different ways I just don't know.
Click to expand...
I have discussed this topic at extensive length on a thread within another Christian forum. You can check that out at the following link:

ECT Should Christians use guns? - Theology Online | Christian Forums & More

However, to answer you here:

First, we need to understand that the New Testament replaces the Old Testament because Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Law of Moses upon the cross. To learn more about that, check out the many articles here at Grace Community International.

The Old Covenant and the Law of Moses | Grace Communion International

Second, in the Old Testament, I believe God had given his people the capacity to be rewarded and to execute Judgment. This was to show us physically that God is a rewarder to those who seek Him. This was also to show us that God does care about justice, too. That the wicked will not go unpunished in this life. I believe God's judgments were not cruel in the OT. God's judgments were executed so as to protect God's people (Israel as a nation) both spiritually and physically. For the eradication of evil is loving and good for those who do want to live peacefully in God's good ways. In other words, imagine if a group of children had broke into a top secret government facility and had contracted a deadly weaponized virus and they were about to escape the mountain and place at risk the entire world with a deadly disease or virus. Should the President make the call to send F-14's to destroy the mountain? Or should the President just let them escape and let millions of people die?

Third, I believe Jesus Christ teaches us pacificism under the New Testament. So I don't believe a Christian should go to war for their country. Granted, while I may be a Pacificist now, I will not be a Pacifist when Jesus Christ returns at His 2nd Coming. For Jesus will return with many many many of his saints to destroy those remaining evil nations (That have refused to repent) during the End Times).
 
Last edited:
Deadtosin

Deadtosin

Banned
#8
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
#8
Remember this you men of courage. When it comes to protecting the meek do not shy away.
 
dcontroversal

dcontroversal

Banned
#9
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#9
You know...I will plead grace and mercy if I have to defend myself....

It is one thing to suffer because of serving God and being faithful........it is another thing to defend yourself against bloody and deceitful men.....

I would take a hit for Christ...anything else and the Marine will come out and I will seek forgiveness and plead grace and mercy HAHHA.

I agree with ROGER above......!
 
dcontroversal

dcontroversal

Banned
#10
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#10
3Scoreand10 said:
At my age, fighting is out of the question.
BUT, if someone has the intent to harm my wife or daughter, some is going to the hospital or their grave.
The same is true if they try to harm my neighbor's wife, son, or mother.
Click to expand...
Good HAHHA and I agree......!
 
J

john832

Senior Member
#11
May 31, 2013
11,365
186
63
#11
I find it very interesting that no one bothered to quote Christ...

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

But then again, that is a very foreign concept to human nature.
 
dcontroversal

dcontroversal

Banned
#12
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#12
john832 said:
I find it very interesting that no one bothered to quote Christ...

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

But then again, that is a very foreign concept to human nature.
Click to expand...
I did in my own way......I would take a hit for Christ...It is one thing to suffer because of serving God and being faithful........it is another thing to defend yourself against bloody and deceitful men.....

So you think Christ would expect you to watch a family member be raped or murdered in cold blood? Or what if 5 Muslims were in the process of murdering your Pastor?

Would you defend a Jewish person If they were being beheaded by an ISIS member?

I do not believe God is so LEGALISTIC............Just my view right or wrong!
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#13
#13
john832 said:
I find it very interesting that no one bothered to quote Christ...

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

But then again, that is a very foreign concept to human nature.
Click to expand...

It is foreign to some because they don't understand that this is referring to not to seek revenge on some one that has done wrongly to you. It does not however apply to if some one is beating the crap out of you, you can and do have the right to defend yourself to keep more harm from taking place.

Plus the other reason this makes this foreign to some is because Jesus saying no to eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth is another one of His teachings that makes the death penalty wrong.
 
J

john832

Senior Member
#14
May 31, 2013
11,365
186
63
#14
kennethcadwell said:
It is foreign to some because they don't understand that this is referring to not to seek revenge on some one that has done wrongly to you. It does not however apply to if some one is beating the crap out of you, you can and do have the right to defend yourself to keep more harm from taking place.

Plus the other reason this makes this foreign to some is because Jesus saying no to eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth is another one of His teachings that makes the death penalty wrong.
Click to expand...
Thank you for "interpreting" what Christ said. Now show me an example of where He defended Himself.
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#15
Jul 31, 2013
36,645
13,120
113
#15
john832 said:
Thank you for "interpreting" what Christ said. Now show me an example of where He defended Himself.
Click to expand...
Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
(John 10:39-40)

here's an example of Him removing Himself from those who would do Him violence.
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#16
Jul 31, 2013
36,645
13,120
113
#16
john832 said:
Thank you for "interpreting" what Christ said. Now show me an example of where He defended Himself.
Click to expand...
and here is the closest example of Him physically 'defending' Himself (other than removing Himself) i can think of.. this He did, by the power of His words.

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them,
Whom seek ye?
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them,
I am he.
And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
(John 18:4-6)

as the gospels record it, He did more physically to defend the temple & the name of God (throwing out the moneychangers) than He ever did in defense of His own body. there are a lot of places where it's written that they tried to take Him, and He simply left.

 
J

Jackson123

Senior Member
#17
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,370
113
#17
Jesus said love your enemy. As long as you do self defend with love than it is OK
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#18
Jul 31, 2013
36,645
13,120
113
#18
Jackson123 said:
Jesus said love your enemy. As long as you do self defend with love than it is OK
Click to expand...

this is why i like types of martial arts that are mostly concerned with redirecting your attackers motions into throws and submissive holds. reactive and defensive skills rather than proactive, aggressive, direct assaults

i'm not saying "i think the bible supports this ^^" but that this is how i personally feel.
 
Last edited:
4enlightment

4enlightment

Banned
#19
May 15, 2013
4,307
27
0
#19
Mybrokenlessthenthree said:
Okay, I know that murder is wrong, if you strait up attack someone.
That's pretty much what I know. But let's say...

You're walking down the hallway in school, someone comes up and punches you. What do you do? Turn the other cheek?
I mean they don't fight the just knock you in the face and keep walking, or attack in just a small way. They want you to fight.

What if you're walking in school and someone starts a fight, I'm not saying you're looking for it,or that you started it. I mean this guy comes up and just starts beating you down. Do you run, do you allow it, do you retaliate?

This is all because of I've heard christian men I respect say, "You can use self-defense" I'm thinking if I use self-defense someone's going to a hospital, so I really need an answer for this with school and all. Because 5/10 odds there will be something that will happen.

If someone is trying to kill you, and you kill them. What does the bible say about that?
Really need answers, because I've been told in self preservation it's okay. My soul say no, because they're God's creation, God has power to deliver me. And I fight then how am I like Jesus as the bible tells me to be?
I've read scriptures about this and my problem is there is so much going different ways I just don't know.
Click to expand...
Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Galatians 6:8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

God wants us to listen to Him only; and so if He says to offer your bodies as sacrificial lambs among wolves, then we should. In the old testament, it show us that eventhough man was able to judge, but he became more arrogant and which he couldn't solved the problem, but increased. As it says, returning evil, with evil, it will never leave the house. God want evil to leave, so under any condition we shouldn't spread what the devil desires us to do, because we has to reap what we has spread and which that is a demand from God. So it best to reap while you are here on earth before a judge, next place there will not be any judge around to see. Jesus has told God while He was on the cross, It is your decision now to do whatever you decide with the spirit, and so Jesus had gave up His spirit and which He have had a Judge to handed it over to. So don't wait til the door shut in your face to prove that you has been redeemed.
 
Deadtosin

Deadtosin

Banned
#20
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
#20
1Samuel 17:32

And David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine."



When God guides us He will deliver our enemies into our hands. We don't need to be vindictive or spiteful, simply in the moment willing to do whatever God decides to do in our members. It's been my experience that no fight usually occurs because we aren't puffed up, insulting or aggressive. Having no fear is usually enough to warn an enemy off. Alarm bells tend to ring and our neutral attitude offers an easy way out and the would-be enemy can save face.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.