Is it permissible for a Christian to use lethal force to protect himself, others, or his state?

What are we to do when we’ve done all that we can to live peaceably with all men but they refuse to live peaceably with us?

Should we kill them or should we love them?

Defend ourselves if that restores the peace.

It certainly depends on the situation. Am I or my loved ones in immediate danger?

If they are intent on harming us and those that we love and attempt to do so we kill them if necessary without hesitation.

It sounds trite but I’ll ask anyway, Is that what Jesus would do? (It’s not what he did when his enemies refused to live peaceably with him.)



Let’s say that you and they are in immediate danger. Can you run? Can you hide? Can you lock your doors? Can you call the police? Can you talk your way out of it? Can you make a noise that would scare them away? Can you delay the fiends long enough without using lethal force - possibly sacrificing your life or health - so your loved ones can escape? Can you pray for God’s protection and trust him to provide a means escape? Can you pray for your enemy? Will they not physically harm you if only you give them what they ask for? Are you prepared to be martyred if that’s what it takes to obey Jesus?

Must you kill your enemy?

When are we asked to do what Jesus would do?

His mission was to die for the sins of the world.

He had no wife or family.

When the Lord sent out the disciples, He told them to buy a sword. Why do you think?

There is no provision for those serving in the military today to quit either.

If Jesus is a pacifist then He would not be coming back to earth ready to do battle with the forces of evil.

Until He returns the military and police must do the battle against the forces of evil that wish to do harm to ourselves, our family, and the country that they protect.

Don't worry about being persecuted in the United States as the members of the armed forces are volunteers who have answered the call. This country no longer has a military draft so you would never be compelled to join.

Jesus would certainly not demand that the police be defunded. That stance is ludicrous.

OK, so this is an issue I seriously struggle with.

Some think that our country could be involved in a civil war in the near future due to leftist groups like Black Lives Matter.

I own a firearm and carry one regularly in a pocket holster. I am not personally concerned with my safety, but in the current environment, I could be present when someone else's life, especially a police officer, is in danger and I might be able to help.

So, the question is, from a biblical standpoint, do you think it is acceptable to use lethal force to protect yourself or others?

I think the answer to the question is "yes, it is permissible". I fail to see how Jesus is glorified by a father allowing his wife and daughter to be raped and killed, while he is carefully obeying the scripture to not resist and evil person. But I also think you should stop carrying a gun until you get this figured out for yourself. Any weapon you carry without the willingness to use is more of a liability than an asset.

Also, never forget there's a whole class of people out there that looooove to find passages that they can repeat for the purpose of making themselves look really, really holy and spiritual. They're just modern day pharisee's who load you up with a burden that they themselves don't want to bear. They don't want the responsibility, and when someone else is willing to take on that responsibility, it makes them feel inadequate. So they come up with a bunch of holy sounding reasons why you should be like them. Don't be taken in. No one is that holy.

So was the first church sinning ?
From my understanding they didnt fight back only hid

A matter of conscience.

On the one hand, it must be so.

But on the other hand, right and wrong isn’t determined by conscience.

A person can have a clear conscience and still be on the road to destruction.

A matter of conscience.
Outside that, no comment.

OK, so this is an issue I seriously struggle with.

Some think that our country could be involved in a civil war in the near future due to leftist groups like Black Lives Matter.

I own a firearm and carry one regularly in a pocket holster. I am not personally concerned with my safety, but in the current environment, I could be present when someone else's life, especially a police officer, is in danger and I might be able to help.

So, the question is, from a biblical standpoint, do you think it is acceptable to use lethal force to protect yourself or others?

I see no New Testament permission to do this, however, in Hebrews 11, these verses indicates that it could be the action of a faithful person:

Hebrews 11:32-34 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Additionally, I fully support the right of the government to inflict punishment upon the wicked in society (Rom 13).

Several sound teachers have said that it is permissible to use lethal force in protection of self and family if innocent lives would be spared by taking the life of the person. However, it is not permissible to kill someone in order to avoid martyrdom.

Any thoughts?

I don't really know which one I would choose, but my guess is that if it came down to a matter of saving innocent lives, I would shoot an aggressor. I mean, I am carrying a gun regularly already. However, I don't think it would be an easy decision to make.

Chances are this decision would not come about for me, because I don't really care to be traveling in larger, leftist-leaning states.

While I was at the gym today, I heard a song played that was in the top one hundred on the charts, this week in 1968. “Sky Pilot,” by The Animals.

“He blesses the boys as they stand in line
The smell of gun grease and the bayonets they shine
He’s there to help them all that he can
To make them feel wanted he’s a good holy man

Sky pilot.....Sky pilot
How high can you fly
You’ll never, never, never reach the sky

He smiles at the young soldiers
Tells them it’s all right
He knows of their fear in the forthcoming fight
Soon there’ll be blood and many will die
Mothers and fathers back home they will cry

Sky pilot....Sky pilot
How high can you fly
You’ll never, never, never reach the sky

He mumbles a prayer and it ends with a smile
The order is given
They move down the line
But he’s still behind and he’ll meditate
But it won’t stop the bleeding or ease the hate

As the young men move out into the battle zone
He feels good, with God you’re never alone
He feels so tired and he lays on his bed
Hopes the men will find courage in the words that he said

Sky pilot....Sky pilot
How high can you fly
You’ll never, never, never reach the sky

You’re soldiers of God you must understand
The fate of your country is in your young hands
May God give you strength do your job real well
If it all was worth it only time it will tell

In the morning they return with tears in their eyes
The stench of death drifts up to the skies
A young soldier so ill looks at the sky pilot
Remembers the words
Thou shalt not kill

Sky pilot...Sky pilot
How high can you fly
You’ll never, never, never reach the sky”

Pray everyday for Gods grace to have the strength to act to protect myself, my family and others with deadly force if necessary. Pray everyday that by Gods grace it will never be necessary.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I am convinced now that using deadly force to protect self, family or state is righteous. One of my major holdups was the verse that says something like "he who lives by the sword dies by the sword". My pastor mentioned that "living by the sword" is likely a reference to a lifestyle of violence and not defending self, family and state from lawless invaders or opponents.