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THE CHRISTIAN AND SELF-DEFENSE

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In a previous lesson, we noted that it is lawful for a Christian to own a weapon.

1.      Bible examples of those who owned weapons:

a.      Abraham had a knife (Gen. 22:10).

b.      David had a sling (I Sam. 17:40).

c.       Peter had a sword (John 18:10).

2.      A weapon is an inanimate object.  It can do nothing until it is acted upon.

3.      A weapon serves more purposes than just taking a life.

 

B.      In this lesson, we want to address this subject:  “The Christian and Self-Defense.”

1.      Can we protect ourselves from harm?

2.      Can we harm another while defending ourselves?

3.      Can we kill another while defending ourselves?

 

I.                   LIFE IS PRECIOUS

 

A.    Two points about human life.

1.      God is the giver of life (Gen. 2:7).

 

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

2.      This living human being is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27).

 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

B.      Human life is not something to be treated lightly (See James 3:8-9).

 

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

 

C.     Human life is certainly not something to be taken lightly. 

1.      We take a precious gift from another.

2.      Once it is taken, it cannot be restored.

3.      When a person is killed, it involves one made in the likeness of God.

 

II.                THERE ARE MANY WAYS LIFE CAN BE TAKEN

 

A.    Murder (Gen. 4:8; Exo. 20:13)

 

And Cain talked with Abel his brother:  and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

 

B.      Accidental killing (Deut. 19:4)

 

…whoso killeth his neighbor ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past.

 

C.     In war (I Sam. 17:50)

 

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

 

D.    Capital punishment (Gen. 9:6; Rom. 13:4)

 

Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed:  for in the image of God made he man.

 

E.      Self-defense (https://biblicalselfdefense.com/

1.      “Self-defense is defined as ‘protecting oneself from injury at the hand of others.’”

2.      “Self-defense involves preserving one’s own health and life when it is threatened by the actions of others.”

3.      “When we speak of using potentially lethal force in self-defense, we’re talking about using weapons to protect ourselves, even in the weapons used could kill the attacker.”

a.      Weapons involve many things:  hands, sticks, bats, pepper spray, knives, Tasers, and guns.

b.      Every year in the United States, one to two million people use a gun to defend themselves.

 

III.             WHAT WEAPONS CANNOT BE USED FOR

 

A.    Murder (Exo. 20:13)

 

B.      Revenge (Rom. 12:19)  NOTE:  Not all physical force is revenge.

 

C.     Just to do violence (Ps. 11:5; Prov. 3:31)  NOTE:  There is a difference between violence and protection.

 

D.    When persecuted for the cause of Christ (Matt. 5:10-12)  NOTE:  Not all violence committed against us is persecution.

 

IV.             THE BIBLE AND SELF-DEFENSE

 

A.    Five texts that support self-defense:

1.      Exodus 22:2

 

If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

 

a.      The person being contemplated is a criminal, namely, a thief.

b.      If he was attempting a robbery at night, if was lawful for him to be killed.

c.       NOTE:  It is interesting that the next verse make a distinction when the thief enters the house after the sun was risen.

 

2.      Nehemiah 4:13-14

 

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spear, and their bows…fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, and your wives, and your houses.

 

a.      This happened when Israel was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

b.      These were the “common” Jews who were armed and commanded to fight.

 

3.      Esther 8:11

 

Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them…

 

a.      Haman had devised a plan for all the Jews in all the provinces of Persia to be destroyed.

b.      They were allowed to protect themselves from their attackers.

c.       They did (See Esther 9:5).

4.      Luke 22:36

 

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip:  and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

 

a.      Jesus counselled His apostles to buy a sword.

b.      The purpose would have been for self-defense as they made their journeys.

c.       NOTE:  In II Corinthians 11:26, Paul told the Corinthians that he has been in “peril of robbers.”

5.      Roman 13:4

 

For he is the minister of God to thee for good.  But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain:  for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

 

a.      Paul is speaking in the context of civil authorities.

b.      Most make the application to soldiers and state and local police.

c.       However, if the government grants that right to the citizens as our government has done, then each person is permitted to help execute judgment upon those who do evil.

 

B.      Important Point:  If Christians cannot defend themselves, then they are subject to every slight of man without any protection as all. 

 

V.                ARGUMENTS AGAINST SELF-DEFENSE

 

A.    We are commanded to “turn the other cheek” (Matt. 5:39)

1.      In the context, Jesus is dealing with personal slights and offenses.

2.      The Jews had taught revenge, that is, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (Matt. 5:38). 

3.      He exhorts us to take wrongs instead of seeking revenge.

 

B.      We are to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44).

1.      We are also to love self (Matt. 22:39) and love our families (Eph. 5:25).

2.      I can love him, but I can also protect myself from his violent acts toward me.

 

C.     Jesus said that those who live by the sword, die by the sword (Matt. 26:52).

1.      One, Jesus was stating an obvious truth.  It has been played out in the Old West, in nations having evil despots who ruled over them, among drug lords, and gang members. 

2.      Jesus could have reference to simply living a life of violence and retaliation. If this is the kind of life we choose, the chances are great that our lives will be taken that way.

 

D.    We are to live in peace among men.

1.      Hebrews 12:14

 

Follow peace with all men…

 

2.      There are other passages that modify this above passage (See Rom. 12:18)

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    The ability to defend oneself is taught in the Scriptures.

 

B.      If we are ever put in a situation where we have to do this, it will be a very emotional experience.

1.      First, we will have to make the decision to protect ourselves.

2.      Then, we will have to live with the consequences of that decision, especially if it involves the taking of another person’s life.

 

C.     NOTE:  One of the concepts taught in a Conceal Carry Class is that we should never actively seek to have to use our weapon.

1.      We watch our surroundings and get out of threatening environments.

2.      We are to do all we can to escape an active shooter, not engage him.

3.      If a criminal is exiting your house, you are not to shoot him.

4.      If you pull your weapon, you are prepared to shoot to kill.

5.      Before you shoot, you must consider what is beyond the target.

 

D.    Having to shoot another person IS SERIOUS BUSINESS!