I would injure them if I thought they were intent on injuring others to steal. perhaps after I tied them up I would ask them why they felt the need to steal at all as we wait for the authorities to arrive.
perhaps we could discuss other legal ways for them to obtain their goals without resorting to crime.
I would show the 25 year old that stealing cell phones could be harmful for their health and detain them until the police arrived.
rather I used a gun or not would depend on the situation.
anger or fear tends to mess up your aim.
Love isn't letting people get away with doing whatever they want. Its teaching them the wisdom of following God's will.
allowing someone to steal from you sends the wrong message: they don't need to work for what they want, they can just take it with no immediate consequences.
manners and respect for others goes a long way. IF he was starving, I would expect an apology and then give him food and allow him to go his way. However if all he wanted was a cell phone, I would feel inclined to teach him manners and the value of hard work.
Exodus 20:15 “You shall
not steal.
Leviticus 19:11 ‘You shall
not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
- Deuteronomy 5:19 ‘You shall not steal.
- Proverbs 6:30 People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.