Can a Christian use violence to defend themselves or others?

[Donkeyfish07]

The other thing I think about when I read arguments that Christians are not allowed to defend themselves ("Turn the other cheek!") is that I always wonder, if this is going to be the rule we should follow, how far and to what age does this extend?

* What if your child is walking home from school and someone drives by and tries to toss him or her into their vehicle and drive off?

* What if someone approaches your child in an inappropriate manner, whether a teacher, student, friend, neighbor, etc?

What will you teach your child to do? React passively and allow themselves to be kidnapped or a victim of abuse?

I know I for one would teach my child what my parents taught me: SCREAM, RUN, HIT, BITE, KICK, CLAW them with your nails if you have to, use anything you can as a weapon, and ANY MEANS NECESSARY to get yourself out of that situation and find help.

If a Christian adheres to the "turn the other cheek" philosophy 100%, they will be required to teach their child to do nothing. And if they DO teach their children to fight back and defend themselves, at what age will you then tell them that they have to start passively turning the other cheek?

Where would the dividing line be when we would then say, "Ok, now when someone tries to harm you or molest you or kidnap you, you have to turn the other cheek and just let it happen because Jesus doesn't believe in using violence to defend yourself"?

I honestly believe that God would endorse common sense... and I would hope that self-defense in such situations would be a no-brainer.

Common sense dictactes most of it, spritual discernment the rest. Like for example, obey all ordinances of man for the Lords sake. Obviously this is not going to apply when they start rolling out the mark of the beast, and didn't apply back when the leaders in acts told the disciples to quit preaching the Gospel.

If you were out preaching the gospel tommorrow and had people threatening you over it, it is obvious to me this is a turn the other cheek situation if they want to get violent over it. However, if you are walking down the street tommorrow and see a rapist trying to harm a child.....no one on God's green Earth thinks stepping in to stop something like that is uncalled for.

You just have people on both extremes running around trying to justify their own behavior most of the time, when in reality.....there is a good middleground that you can find with the discernment that God gave you that is Spiritually accurate.

 

[VioletReigns]

I was conditioned by life circumstances from a child to street fight like a feral cat (self-preservation but mostly defending others).

I was renewed by the Lord to learn of a truth that His ways are perfect and He gives wisdom and a way of escape that we're able to bear everything we go through.

If I listed all the situations in which God delivered me & my loved ones from danger, nobody on this board would believe me. I can hardly believe it myself. LOL

The Lord Jesus is faithful. That is the most absolute thing I know.

 

[Utah]

[h=2]Can a Christian use violence to defend themselves or others?[/h]
I prefer not to indulge in violence, but always do when necessary.

 

[Sirk]

Can a Christian use violence to defend themselves or others?


I prefer not to indulge in violence, but always do when necessary.

I occasionally go into houses of ill repute....lol. I went to visit a friend who bartends and I was standing at the bar having a conversation with my friend. This guy comes along and gives me a shoulder and says..."get out of my way please"....I stepped aside, said excuse me and thanked the man for saying please. I had been listening to him behind me trying to pick a fight with another guy. The guy was in no shape to be fighting anyone..lol. Anyway....a few seconds passed and all of a sudden this gentleman comes up to me and apologizes for being so rude. The point is....it isn't usually necessary to fight if one chooses his or her words wisely.

 

[Willie-T]

I occasionally go into houses of ill repute....lol. I went to visit a friend who bartends and I was standing at the bar having a conversation with my friend. This guy comes along and gives me a shoulder and says..."get out of my way please"....I stepped aside, said excuse me and thanked the man for saying please. I had been listening to him behind me trying to pick a fight with another guy. The guy was in no shape to be fighting anyone..lol. Anyway....a few seconds passed and all of a sudden this gentleman comes up to me and apologizes for being so rude. The point is....it isn't usually necessary to fight if one chooses his or her words wisely.

I suspect that guy was sensing your heart and spirit more than he was listening to your words.

 

[Elizabeth619]

I have a gun. My 13 year old even knows how to shoot it. It's always good to protect yourself and your family.

 

[Utah]

I had been listening to him behind me trying to pick a fight with another guy. The guy was in no shape to be fighting anyone..lol.

That's a tough call. You have a chump looking for trouble yet in no shape to back it up. I engage in physical altercations when it comes to protecting innocence, not when it comes to battling egos. In your situation, you had both.

 

[Sirk]

I suspect that guy was sensing your heart and spirit more than he was listening to your words.

Huh...never thought of it that way. I certainly wasn't looking for a fight. It's just not in my nature. I love people....I think I love them because I understand that everyone is fighting a battle I know nothing about.

I think it should be clarified that there is a big distinction between a person that acts out because they have struggles and those who are just evil. I think good people outnumber evil people by a large margin.

 

[Willie-T]

Huh...never thought of it that way. I certainly wasn't looking for a fight. It's just not in my nature. I love people....I think I love them because I understand that everyone is fighting a battle I know nothing about.

I think it should be clarified that there is a big distinction between a person that acts out because they have struggles and those who are just evil. I think good people outnumber evil people by a large margin.

I think you (and several others, too... so you don't get the "Big Head") truly have one of the most Jesus-centered hearts to be found on this whole forum.

 

[Pipp]

Yep I would if I had to.

 

[JeniBean]

I do not have a 2nd degree black belt, a crimson tide strapped to me, knuckles in the purse, pepper spray on key chain and in the car and not to mention everything else in my house including a cute adorable, however big dog to NOT DEFEND those I love and innocents. Would I purposely seek violence? NO!!!!! However I certainly will never be a victim again or allow others if it is something I can prevent with my GOD given mind and body!

 

[Shamrocker]

I didn't spend 8 years in martial arts to let someone I love or myself get hurt. That's why they call it self defense.

I was taking a MMA too,

 

[Reborn]

I carry a pair of nunchucks to family gatherings.


With strangers, l can talk myself out of any bad situation. No violence needed.
....sadly, l need help from those little bad boys, when Aunt Edna comes at me about not having a girlfriend.

 

[wisebeardman]

break in my house, you will be met with 7.62x39 and very well 30+ of them.

 

[AngelFrog]

The Bible says, thou shalt not murder.
I say, thou shalt not try to kick my tookus if thou dost not want to end up in the ER.