Photo: Shane Idleman
Posted on 08/30/2020 8:58:04 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Civil unrest is everywhere and lawmakers are being pressured to restrict guns. But what we are seeing today is not a gun problem; it’s a moral problem called sin. We are witnessing the rapid deterioration of a nation. We have lost our moral compass…we have lost the fear of the Lord. When the fear of the Lord decreases, evil increases. “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both” (Dwight D. Eisenhower).
Photo: Shane Idleman
One of the Scriptures often used to support banning weapons is found in Proverbs 20:22, “Do not say, ‘I will recompense evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will save you.” This scripture is dealing with vengeance and vigilantism, not self defense.
According to Romans 13:4 one of the purposes of the authorities is to “execute wrath on him who practices evil.” They are God’s avengers: “Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible, or by the bayonet” (Robert Winthrop; 1809 – 1894).
Please don’t misunderstand…as Christians, I believe that we are to seek peace at every turn and not drape the cross with the flag. But what about self-defense as a last resort and biblical mandates to protect? The Old Testament offers a plethora of examples, but what about the New Testament? It does as well. In Matthew 26:52 Jesus says to Peter, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Jesus didn’t denounce the sword, but clarified its place. When we take premature emotionally charged action, it may cost us our life.
How to Handle a Robber
Later Jesus adds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?” If He was a thief and a robber, the clubs and swords would have been justified. In my opinion, these Scriptures imply that weapons do have a place in society. Albeit we must be careful.
Additionally, In Luke 22:36 Jesus says, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” What is one to do with this Scripture? First, I would err on the side of peace, but this isn’t always an option. One thing is certain: a sword was for defense. Jesus initially sent them on a peaceful mission trip where they did not need these items, but now Jesus may have been saying, “I was your provision and your safety, and I still am, but I also want you to be prepared…to use wisdom.”
But some may argue, “Didn’t Jesus say to love our enemies, and bless those who curse us, and do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute us?” (cf. Matthew 5:43-48.) Yes. However, these references refer to personal assaults, offenses, and character assassinations. It is taking a quantum leap to believe that Jesus is saying, “Do good to those who are trying to maim or destroy you or your family.”
Paul tells Timothy that if “anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8). But if I protect my family, which is often a greater responsibility (if not equal), then I’m labeled a war-monger and accused of mis-applying the Scriptures?
The Scriptures must be read in their totality. For example, when Jesus was slapped He didn’t turn the other cheek. He said, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” (John 18:23). Although we are to err on the side of grace and peace, there may be a time and a place for confrontation and protection.
Passivity vs. Forgiveness
Clearly understand that I’m not advocating violence or aggression; I’m advocating scriptural consistency and continuity. Context is the key factor here. Forgiving is not being passive, and granting grace is not being gullible.
Are we called to guard our families spiritually, emotionally, and financially but not physically? This makes no sense. However, my concern with the current gun debate is that we are buying into the fear frenzy. A minimizing of sovereignty is directly related to a magnifying of worry. “Most Christians salute the sovereignty of God but believe in the sovereignty of man” (R.C. Sproul).
Many are prepared militarily but not spiritually; instilling unhealthy fear in their families. We are putting the fear of man into them rather than the fear of God. I hear all about Glock, Smith and Wesson, and Remington, but little about brokenness, surrender to God, and humility. Our gun safes are full but our prayer closets are empty. We need to spend less time watching O’Reilly, Hannity, Beck, and Coulter, and more time with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Every time God’s people trusted in their weapons and armies, He called them to repentance. Our protection is in daily submission to Him. Psalm 121:2 adds, “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber…”
Our current trend beckons us to be very careful about who, or what, we “worship.” Who, or what, we place our trust in.
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at shaneidleman.com or wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at: facebook.com/confusedchurch. You can also follow Pastor Shane on the new free speech platform Parler https://parler.com/profile/ShaneIdleman/posts.
this cut and paste christianity make me sick
its settled
thou shalt not kill without just cause
Lot’s family and the heavenly visitors defended themselves. If it’s good enough for them....
RE: Lot’s family and the heavenly visitors defended themselves.
If I recall, The visitors were Angels who BLINDED the Sodomites who wanted to assault ( actually rape ) them ( Genesis 19:1-13, NIV ).
Yep. Barring the door is also a form of self-defense.
Since God gave me life, I will not forfeit it to anyone who attempts to take it unlawfully. I would surrender only to duly established authority after due process.
Peter was obviously a skilled swordsman... Peter carried the self defense weapon of the day.. Course one could go Samson if the situation called for it..
Self defense and defense of others is always Biblical. And necessary.
Luke 11:21 - When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
Exodus 22:2-3 - If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, [there shall] no blood [be shed] for him.
RE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRE23YfSvc8
Whatever that video was, it looks like MURDER to me rather than Self Defense.
Um...BOR has been off Fox for ages, Coulter never had a TV gig, and I don't even know where to find Blaze.
If you can't be bothered to use a search engine for some basic fact-checking, why should I trust your theology?
is self defense Biblical?
Uhmmmmm...Yeah!
The 6th Commandment says, “Thou shalt not murder.”
Which necessarily implies that there are some instances of taking a life that are not considered murder - such as self defense. If someone is threatening your life - and there are innumerable ways to do that - or the life of a family member, or someone whom you feel some natural obligation to defend - they you can take a life to save the one you’re protecting. Of course, it would be better not to have to do so - but you weren’t the initiating party, were you? The aggressor made the choice, and all that results is on him.
I don’t think that returning good for evil means allowing yourself to be crippled or killed without fighting back.
I don’t think he really answered the question.
There’s a difference between self defense of your own person being attacked, and defense of someone else being attacked.
I don’t think virtually anyone has an issue with stepping in to protect the life of another being attacked. That is very selfless and just.
I think the question is whether we are justified in defending our own person as Kyle did.
And if he did not fight back, he would be dead, three times over. Each one of those men had intent to kill him. Should they be allowed to kill, steal, and destroy with impunity in the name turning the other cheek?
I don’t think that’s exactly what God had in mind.
God gave us an instinct for self-preservation, and that IS going to kick in when I am attacked, and I will not guilt trip myself for acting on it.
When my kids were growing up, I told them that they had my permission to defend themselves if someone attacked them or someone else. They could do whatever they needed to to stop it, but not beyond that. Then they were to find an adult to put an end to the situation.
But heaven help them if I find out they started the fight. Then they would have ME to deal with too.
And sadly, the reason I had to tell them that was other church kids who were bullies. And those kids had the mothers who lectured others about turning the other cheek and how you should not fight back. I noticed it was HER kids who were the ones who needed to be defended against. It made a lot of sense that she’d think that way.
So I’ve learned that when someone lectures you about not defending yourself, ie turning the other cheek, to be very careful around them and keep a good eye on them or their kids.
In my state you can use self-defense to protect yourself or property, or someone else and their property.
Protecting others can be difficult - you see a gun fight and who is in the right and needs protection?
For example, chasing after Kyle and assaulting him to stop “a murderer and fleeing felon” was wrong based on my view of the tapes. Hopefully the guy with the injured arm holding the handgun will get a charge of attempted murder.
Here’s one for y’all:
John Adam’s, yup, firebrand John Adam’s, as President, in a communique related to the Barbary pirates, expressly states that, the United States is not a christian nation.
Call me what you will, it is there for you to see.
I will call you uninformed:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvAnZyVvs04
Thank you, have not been called THAT before!
I will wear it as Tyrion Lannister wore ‘imp’.
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