The Sin of Pacifism

  • 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.

Ella85

Senior Member
May 9, 2014
1,414
106
63
If you have the spirit of God inside of you, and you decide to defend your life or someone else's life, I highly doubt God would FORSAKE YOU!
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
I stopped serial killers in Phoenix because God sent me there and He delivered them in to my hands. No violence had to occur, but before you think "victory" know this. I would never have been walking around out there late at night looking for these guys if I wasn't willing to physically act if indeed I stumbled across a situation. God made me exactly the way I am. God actually led me in to training in martial arts in the first place. That night I didn't have to touch them, but God got His point across to them through me. My grandmother and her sister both told me similar stories to what you are saying. God doesn't want you to do this, God wouldn't approve of you laying your hands on them. In the end I ignored them, knowing what I had to do to feel like I was right with God, and you know what? He delivered them into my hand.
And you don't think God couldn't have sent somebody else to save them? You really have a highly inflated opinion of yourself and a low opinion of God and His power of protection.
 
E

Ecclesiastik

Guest
If you have the spirit of God inside of you, and you decide to defend your life or someone else's life, I highly doubt God would FORSAKE YOU!
I think it depends on the method you choose. A lot of people's idea of "defense" isn't so much defense as it is stomping someone's head in the ground or pulling the trigger.
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
You are missing my point. God can end world hunger, should we stop feeding the poor? of course not. My point is simple. Just because God CAN do something Himself, doesn't mean He won't use us to accomplish His same purpose. God doesn't delight in murderers, yes indeed if He wants to stop them He can use many ways. Sometimes He uses us.
God can use somebody else who is a non believer to do the job. He doesn't require you to do that as part of being his disciple. You are to preach the good news and to help the poor and to love all peoples (Including your enemies). But if you kill your enemies, that's like not loving them.
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
A fair retort. But this would only be in the case if you were a dis-interested third party. "Not my kid." "Not my wife." "Not my problem."
Funny thing about that. I have no wife, I have no kid. That is exactly what we are talking about.
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
God can use somebody else who is a non believer to do the job. He doesn't require you to do that as part of being his disciple. You are to preach the good news and to help the poor and to love all peoples (Including your enemies). But if you kill your enemies, that's like not loving them.
Listen to yourself. "God would use a non believer before a believer to do His work" Jason, it's not like I am saying lets go kill people, I am saying that your love has to go beyond your enemies. What about that poor kid? He didn't choose to be in this mess? Where is the love for that little guy?
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
I think it depends on the method you choose. A lot of people's idea of "defense" isn't so much defense as it is stomping someone's head in the ground or pulling the trigger.
That's a fact. We are falling back into the category of nothing is exactly the same. People aren't the same, situations aren't the same. We are going back to the "trusting God" to send the right person in the right way.
 
E

Ecclesiastik

Guest
Funny thing about that. I have no wife, I have no kid. That is exactly what we are talking about.
Hmm well some others have a natural instinct to do good. And if they don't, that doesn't speak well about them. The Bible says the cowardly will not enter the kingdom of heaven. If the reason why you hang back and pray is because you are just too afraid to go out and confront then that's a problem. But if you pray and confront in the name of Jesus (rather than with a weapon) then I think you do well.
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
And you don't think God couldn't have sent somebody else to save them? You really have a highly inflated opinion of yourself and a low opinion of God and His power of protection.
lol, a highly inflated opinion. Okay. Jason, should I email God back and tell Him to send someone else? I can't control what happens in other peoples lives, I can't control what they do or who God sends. Maybe the reason I talk about what I will do or why God would send me so much is because I am accountable for myself. If God calls you I'll never know. Why would I think about that? all I can do is think about what God's purpose is for me in any given situation and the reality is wherever I go I feel responsible for other peoples safety, whether it's hiking, swimming, choking or being attacked. I feel responsible.
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
We all play different roles for God. God went out of His way to make sure I understood what fear and helplessness as a child was. In fact it was our earliest meaningful conversation. I made a pact with God. I am bound. You show me any scripture that says not to protect a child. No "turn the other cheek" no "eye for an eye tooth for a tooth" no examples of people not fighting (for there are examples of people fighting as well) Show me scripture that says it's better to let a child die than to strike someone. P.S. "There is a time to kill" "there is a time for everything."
The unsaved are God's ministers. He doesn't need you to be a one army out to try and save the world. I mean, why not invent an Iron Man suit? Imagine all the good you can do being Iron Man. Imagine all the lives you could save. How about being Bat Man. See, you can be a hero, but does God really want you to do that? Do you think God could save people without you? What would happen if you are not around? Is God out of luck then? That's what your not getting.
 
E

Ecclesiastik

Guest
This thread is really popular. 9 pages!
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
Hmm well some others have a natural instinct to do good. And if they don't, that doesn't speak well about them. The Bible says the cowardly will not enter the kingdom of heaven. If the reason why you hang back and pray is because you are just too afraid to go out and confront then that's a problem. But if you pray and confront in the name of Jesus (rather than with a weapon) then I think you do well.
Every situation is different. I don't have doubts and in any given situation I am completely aware of my walk with God. He never leaves me. On that note I can name hypothetical's all day and the truth is I can name a hypothetical situation to validate just about any kind of response. The rule I have is follow God. Not follow what I think I understand, ponder and question. It's a real time live feed. I do trust God and that's why I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
See, God would rather have you preach His Word and bring down spiritual strong holds or demons than fighting with your fists of fury. God wants you to fight spiritually and not physically. Paul himself said the weapons of our warefare are not carnal. Yet.... you are saying they are carnal.
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
You are missing my point. God can end world hunger, should we stop feeding the poor? of course not. My point is simple. Just because God CAN do something Himself, doesn't mean He won't use us to accomplish His same purpose. God doesn't delight in murderers, yes indeed if He wants to stop them He can use many ways. Sometimes He uses us.
The Bible talks about how there is God's righteousness and there is man's righteousness. But if you are disobeying God because you are doing your own sense of righteousness, it doesn't really matter what you do because you are not making Him happy. Oh, yes. God can use you, but you won't be in line with His will and plan for your life as a good Christian soldier who fights spiritual battles instead of physical battles. See, my fighting right now. It's a spiritual one. It's not a physical one. That's what Christians do. They fight spiritual battles.
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
The unsaved are God's ministers. He doesn't need you to be a one army out to try and save the world. I mean, why not invent an Iron Man suit? Imagine all the good you can do being Iron Man. Imagine all the lives you could save. How about being Bat Man. See, you can be a hero, but does God really want you to do that? Do you think God could save people without you? What would happen if you are not around? Is God out of luck then? That's what your not getting.
The unsaved are God's ministers?

He doesn't need me to save the world? thanks Jason, I'm so glad you told me that. That's a relief...
Why not invent an Iron suit? don't need one.
Iron man, bat-man.. mocking.. Hey Jason, why did God use David to slay Goliath? don't ask me, you ask Him yourself. But if you're going to be rude we can just stop talking.
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
See, God would rather have you preach His Word and bring down spiritual strong holds or demons than fighting with your fists of fury. God wants you to fight spiritually and not physically. Paul himself said the weapons of our warefare are not carnal. Yet.... you are saying they are carnal.
There is a time for everything Jason. I do preach His word. I do spiritual work. Life is a bit more than any one thing. It must be nice living in a box... God wants us to work spiritually and physically. It's a physical world Jason.. Yes Paul was expressing the spirit realm, the war on principalities. I am saying there are many dangers in this world. Spiritual and physical. Though I doubt you will be able to understand anything I tell you.. I really don't even know why I'm talking to you at this point.
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
Did you ever think that if you bring down the spiritual strong holds or demons who cause many people to kill in an area that you would be doing more good than say stopping one person at a time? What if you fasted and prayed for peace to come to your land? What if you gave to those in need and preached the good news and led many to Christ in your city? Would this not change your city? But if you were out racing around trying to catch one bad guy, then you are fighting a different kind of battle. A battle that is your own (That doesn't accomplish as much good as say a spiritual battle).
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
Did you ever think that if you bring down the spiritual strong holds or demons who cause many people to kill in an area that you would be doing more good than say stopping one person at a time? What if you fasted and prayed for peace to come to your land? What if you gave to those in need and preached the good news and led many to Christ in your city? Would this not change your city? But if you were out racing around trying to catch one bad guy, then you are fighting a different kind of battle. A battle that is your own (That doesn't accomplish as much good as say a spiritual battle).
Your major flaw is that you believe you can only do one or the other. Jason, you can fast, and do spiritual work, and feed the homeless, and save a boy from drowning and tear down spiritual strongholds, and preach in church and lend an ear to someone who needs it. It's so crazy I feel like you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about..
 
Mar 18, 2011
2,540
22
0
The big difference between you and me Jason? well one of them- is that I actually trust God to guide my every move. Where as you prethink everything and do what you think God's Word was telling you to do, be it your own reading, spiritual revelation or more likely what you read on websites. My relationship is a real and active one. When the still small voice in me says "go" I go. When it say's "wait" I wait. I don't need to pre know what God wants of me every day. I allow Him to tell me constantly. I share my life with Him. I don't have boundaries between He and I. If God guides me to have lunch at a park and then there is a woman waving her arms frantically because there are kids stuck on a cliff, I don't think "She is calling the fire department, that's probably who God sent" I immediately know that this is the reason I came here in the first place and I will obediently park my car, set down my lunch and scale a cliff.. Me and God. I do trust God Jason, more than I think you may ever understand.
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
The unsaved are God's ministers?

He doesn't need me to save the world? thanks Jason, I'm so glad you told me that. That's a relief...
Why not invent an Iron suit? don't need one.
Iron man, bat-man.. mocking.. Hey Jason, why did God use David to slay Goliath? don't ask me, you ask Him yourself. But if you're going to be rude we can just stop talking.
I say this because I actually wanted to be a super hero in some way like what you are doing. To fight bad guys with my fists or some kind of weapon. But I realized that after being saved, my battle was a spiritual one and not a physical one.

As for the unsaved being God's ministers: Yes, Romans 13:1-4 talks about that. Also, Romans 9:17 says this:

"For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."

And Isaiah says that Assyria was God's rod of anger against the hypocritical nation of Israel.

Isaiah 10:5-6.
O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.