Self Defense and the Bible
Self Defense and the Bible
To defend or not to defend
By,
Bradley R. Leamy
11/7/2010
For a Christian, is it scriptural to own a firearm and defend yourself, family and friends, home and property? As a Christian and the founder of a Christian gun club, “SoulShooters”, it became necessary for me to answer this question, not only for myself, but for others who would join my club or those who would come against such an organization which juxtaposes Christ, the author of love and peace, with weapons training and self defense.
Being a “Born Again” believer, my final authority in all matters spiritual and temporal is the word of God. For the uninitiated, that is “The Holy Bible”. Most if not all of our laws today are rooted in the laws given down from God to the Hebrews through his patriarchs and prophets. To be sure, much of our laws today have been changed from those of the “Old Testament” to fit our times and present culture. For the Christian however, current culture and fads do not change God’s laws.
Hebrews 13:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Matthew 5:17 (NKJV)
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
In light of this, what does God’s word teach us concerning the question of self defense?
For this study I have used the “New King James Version” of the Bible. Other versions may differ slightly. Let’s look at the need to own a weapon, train and protect our family and property.
1Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Proverbs 25:26 (NKJV)
26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
Nehemiah 4:17-18 (NKJV)
17 Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon. 18 Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
Luke 22:36-38 (NKJV)
36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.”
38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.”
And He said to them, “It is enough.”
Exodus 22:2 (NKJV)
2 If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.
Luke 11:21-23 (NKJV)
21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
From these verses I find it clear that owning a weapon and defending our homes, property and lives is a biblical imperative. We are to own weapons and have them close at hand. We are not to “falter before the wicked”. We are to defend against thieves and evil men to provide peaceful homes for our families and communities. Not to do so would make us as “a murky spring and a polluted well”. What comes from a polluted well but death and illness. Being armed we provide peace and a sense of well being.
As Christians it would be disingenuous not to look at our duty to be peaceful, loving and kind in this equation.
Matthew 26:52-54 (NKJV)
52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
Matthew 5:38-39 (NKJV)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Romans 12:19-22 (NKJV)
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It is plainly clear that as Christians we are to use our right to self defense at its proper time and place. In Matthew 26 Jesus is not giving a mandate against using the sword. He is stating that the sword was not the way in which he was to die. We know now that the cross was. As for Matthew 5, we are not to return evil with evil. In matters of our sensitivities, we are to turn the other cheek. We can still defend our lives, property and communities. As for Romams 12, when in a life and death situation or defending hearth and home, defending one’s self is not vengeance. Vengeance occurs when one takes the law into one’s own hands after the fact.
For the Christian, in matters of self defense, one must use wisdom, understanding and tact. It’s not all black and white. We must trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in these difficult situations. Knowing what the Bible says on these matters and seeking God’s wisdom helps us to be prepared and to act appropriately in situations as they arise. There are situations which require us to use our weapons to defend ourselves. There are also situations in which diplomacy is the weapon of choice. In matters of self defense for Christians and non-Christians alike, Proverbs says it best:
Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV)
28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.
For the Christian, owning weapons and being prepared and trained to defend one’s self is essential.
Psalm 144:1-2 (NKJV)
A Psalm of David.
1 Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle—
2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.
David praised God for his superior skill as a warrior. We must be prepared (own weapons) and train (weapons training and spiritual training) to be defenders of our homes, property and lives on the same level as David.
In answer to the question of self defense and the Bible: As Christians we have the duty to own weapons, train ourselves to use them and defend not only ourselves, but defend also the cause for Christ. We must do this with wisdom, understanding and tact. We must use our knowledge of Holy Scripture to guide our actions in matters of self defense so as to never bring discredit upon the name of Jesus Christ, ourselves, SoulShooters or the Christian shooting community. After all, SoulShooters is about bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, not about sending men to meet their maker sooner than God intended.
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