Does Scripture Support the Concept of Self-Defense?

Is Self-Defense a Right and a Duty?  Is It YHWH’s

Duty—Or Is It Man’s Responsibility??  Does YHWH Approve

of "Christians" Protecting Themselves

and Their Families with Weapons?

The majority of Christians believe that the Scriptures

approve of Self-Defense to defend one's own life, or

at least the lives of one's family.  Many have carried

this farther and are now insisting it is well within

“Christianity” to enter the national military and go

to war to defend one’s country.  With this philosophy

professing “Christians” in one country go to war and

kill other “professing Christians” who are fulfilling

their “Christian” responsibility of protecting their

country, and, by extension, their mates and families.

Proponents often point to an incident in South Africa,

where attackers charged into a church service one

Sunday and began shooting and hurling grenades. The

hero of the story, a heat-packing "Christian,"

returned fire with his .38 caliber pistol, killing or

wounding a number of the attackers.

Enthusiasts of this story look at it partly with

satisfaction that some of the attackers were "taken

out" and partly with disappointment that more

worshippers were not carrying guns so more could have

been "saved." They do not mean "saved by grace through

faith" but by a good old-fashioned shoot-out between

believers and nonbelievers.

Some Christians even go so far as to declare the Scriptures

a "book of war." They gleefully point to YHWH's

instructions to the nation of Israel to destroy the

idolatrous Canaanites (Numbers 33:50-53, 55), but fail

to recognize YHWH's original promise to Israel that He

would drive out the inhabitants of the land if Israel

would obey Him (Exodus 23:20-30). They also point to

the commands in the Tanakh to kill lawbreakers

within the church-state of Israel.

Their basic premise is that Christians are perfectly

justified in killing in self-defense or in

anticipation of a crime. They claim society in general

would be much safer if we had a more fully armed

citizenry. Statistics do indicate this: In a secular

nation like the United States, society will be safer

with an effective deterrent against violent crime,

something the government has not been and may not be

able to provide without stripping citizens of many

civil liberties. 

The question then becomes, is this the teaching put

forth in the Holy Scriptures?

The question for Nazarenes--true disiples to ponder is this: Even

though we benefit from living in a society where gun

ownership is a constitutional right, are we ever

justified in intentionally killing another human

being? The sixth commandment is very clear: "You shall

not murder" (Exodus 20:13). However, what about this

seemingly gray area of killing someone to protect our

life or property or that of the empirical self

(family, church, neighbors, etc.)?

So let us examine some of the arguments given by the

“Christian” proponents of Self-Defense a little more

closely. The following are the texts they often use to

support these views:

"And if anyone does not provide for his own, and

especially for those of his own household, he has

denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1

Timothy 5:8

"If a thief be found breaking in, and be smitten that

he die, there shall no blood be shed for him." Exodus

22:2

"A righteous man who falters before the wicked is as a

murky spring and a polluted well." Proverbs 25:26

"And I looked and rose up, and said unto the nobles,

and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, "Be

not afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great

and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons,

and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."

Nehemiah 4:14

"Then He (Yahshua) said unto them (His

disciples), "But now, he that has a purse, let him

take it, and likewise his bag (containing his money):

and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment,

and buy one. . . and they (the disciples) said, "Master,

behold here are two swords.' And He (Yahshua) said unto

them, "It is enough.' " Luke 22:36,38.

YHWH, Himself, through Moshe, gave the following

law:

"If men fight, and hurt a pregnant woman, so that she

gives birth prematurely, he shall surely be punished,

according as the woman's husband will lay upon him;

and he shall pay as the judges determine.

"If any harm follows, then you shall give life for

life, an eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for

hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for

wound, stripe for stripe." Exodus 21: 22-25 (Though it

must be acknowledged that this was the instruction

given to those in the position to administer

judgment—not offended individuals themselves.)

The sixth commandment says, “You do not murder:"

(Exodus 20:13). Since the word "kill" used here (in other translations) in the

is more accurately translated "murder,"

(Thou shalt not murder), Christians, including many

Christian scholars, conclude that this commandment

demands that there be pre-meditation and motive before

the act of killing can be designated as "murder."

Thus, it is argued, Self-Defense is EXCLUDED from the

sixth commandment. Therefore, Self-Defense, it is

believed, because of the evidence given in the other

texts listed above, is approved by YHWH. 

The beliefs of pacifists, it is said, do not stand up

to the harsh reality of our fallen world, nor can

pacifism be reconciled to the clear teachings of

Scripture, according to those that promote

Self-Defense as approved by YHWH. They quote the

following text to support their views:

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end

thereof is death." Proverbs 14:12

Larry Pratt, the President of Gun Owners of America,

in his article, "The Biblical Principles of Gun

Control," apparently believes there is no problem

whatsoever for Christians to be involved in

self-defense and the protection of their families.

In Charl Van Wyk's book, "Shooting Back: The Right and

Duty of Self-Defense," the author states:

What does the Bible say about gun control?

"The underlying argument for gun control seems to be

that the availability of guns causes crime. By

extension, the availability of any weapon would have

to be viewed as a cause of crime. What does the Bible

say about such a view? . . . God's [YHWH's] response (to Cain's

murder of his brother Abel) was not to ban rocks or

knives, or whatever, but to banish the murderer."

"Did Christ [Messiah] teach pacifism?"

"Many people, Christians included, assume that Christ [Messiah]

taught pacifism. They recite Matthew 5:38-39 for their

proof. In this verse Christ said: 

"You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye

and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you not to resist

an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right

cheek, turn the other to him also."

The author, Charl Van Wyk, concludes that Messiah was

speaking to the Pharisees only, the religious leaders

of the day, and Messiah's message was, they say: 

"there is a clear distinction between the duties of

the civil magistrate (the government) and the duties

of an individual. Namely, God [YHWH]had delegated to the

civil magistrate the administration of justice (but)

individuals have the responsibility of protecting

their lives from attackers. . . Both the Old and New

Testament teach individual Self-Defense, even if it

means taking the assailant's life in certain

circumstances," according to author Charl Van Wyk.

Mr. Van Wyk continues:

"Resisting an attack is not to be confused with taking

vengeance, which is the exclusive domain of God

(Romans 12:19). This has been delegated to the civil

magistrate, who, as we read in Romans 13:4, 

"Private vengeance means one would stalk down a

criminal after one's life is no longer in danger as

opposed to defending oneself during an attack. It is

this very point that has been confused by Christian

pacifists who would take the passage in the Sermon on

the Mount about turning the other cheek (which

prohibits private vengeance) into a command to falter

before the wicked.

"Let us consider also, that the Sixth Commandment

tells us: "Thou shalt not murder.' In the chapters

following, God [YHWH] gave to Moses many of the situations

that require a death penalty. God [YHWH]clearly has not told

us never to kill. He has told us not to murder, which

means we are not to take an innocent life." (Shooting

Back, by Charl Van Wyk, pgs 72,72.)

Author, Charl Van Wyk, gives his explanation regarding

Our Messiah's order for Peter to "put your sword

away," in John 18:10-11. Mr. Van Wyk believes that Our

Messiah did NOT mean, "get rid of it forever". 

"That would have contradicted what He had told the

disciples only hours before. Peter's sword was to

protect his own mortal life from danger. His sword was

NOT needed to protect the Creator of the Universe and

the King of kings." (ibid. pg 75) says Mr. Van Wyk. 

Mr. Van Wyk concludes:

"In the light of all we have seen the Scriptures teach

to this point, can we argue that if we were able to

save another's life by shooting an attacker with our

firearm—that we should "turn the other cheek' instead?

The Bible speaks of no such right. It only speaks of

our responsibilities in the face of an attack—as

individual creatures made by God, as householders or

as neighbours" . . .

"For those who think that God treated Israel

differently from the way He will treat us today,

please consider what God told the prophet Malachi:

"For I am the Lord, I do NOT change. . .' Malachi

3:6." (ibid. pgs 76,77,83)

Pacifism or Faith?

Does it take more strength to abide by God's law and

suffer the consequences from man or to give in and

lash out like the rest of mankind? Others argue that

we have to "do our part" in taking care of our

property and ourselves. But where does God ever tell

us that "our part" includes sinning?

What it really boils down to is what a person's faith

is in: God or self. Do we trust God to shield us

according to His will after we understand the moral

limits He has set on our actions?

Our Creator has called us to a personal relationship

with Him, and our trust in His nature and faithfulness

will determine our responses and actions. A living

faith goes far beyond lip service and demonstrates

what we truly believe. If God is real to us, and if He

is sovereign in our lives, we will conduct ourselves

according to His law—even when threatened—because we

believe in His ability to accomplish His purpose and

bring us into His Kingdom.

Protection According to God's Will

The rewards and benefits of the Mosiac Covenant were

largely centered on physical health, material wealth,

and national greatness, while its purpose was to

prepare the nation for the Messiah's first coming

(Galatians 3:19, 24). Salvation was available and was

attained by many as attested to in Hebrews 11.  But

because of this emphasis on the physical, many

scriptures in the Tanach demonstrate God's intent to

shield and protect Israel if they would obey. They

could depend on their national and individual

protection if they adhered to God's Word. If they

remained faithful to the covenant, God would protect

them—it was a sure thing!

We have to look at the subject of YHWH's protection

through the lens of His purpose. The intent of the new

or renewed covenant is to develop a personal

relationship with YHWH, leading to eternal life and

godly character—and write His laws upon our hearts. He

is willing to do whatever it takes to bring us to the

point He desires. Thus, He will sometimes remove His

protection when it serves His purpose.

Even faithful Christians may have their houses

burglarized, their cars stolen, or their property

vandalized. They may be the victims of physical or

sexual assault. They may be persecuted and even

martyred. While some may be the recipients of violence

as a natural consequence of their actions, others will

receive it more or less undeserved, just as Messiah

did.

YHWH might allow a man to suffer violence to see how

His creative work is coming along, as a potter tests

to discern the quality of his clay and the design of

his vessel. He might remove a portion of His hedge,

not necessarily to punish us, but to instruct us when

nothing else will get through.

Under the covenant, God does not promise us complete

protection (Matthew 5:11-12, 44; 10:23; John 15:20;

16:33; I Thessalonians 3:4; II Timothy 3:12; II

Corinthians 11:23-28). However, we are assured that,

if we fall victim to violence, it is either because of

our actions (Galatians 6:7) or because He is working

something out that we may not discern at the time. If

we are called by Him, and if we reciprocate by loving

Him, we have His sure promise that all things will

work together for good (Romans 8:28).

Let us now closely examine the arguments of

self-defense proponents.

The FIRST question we must ask is, "Why did Messiah

come to earth?" 

1. Certainly, He came to save sinners (John 1:29) “The

next day John sees Jesus coming to him and says,

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the

world!”

 but, 

2. He also came to reveal the character of The Father

(Heb 1:1-4) “God, who at many times and in many ways

spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has

in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He

has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made

the worlds, who being the shining splendor of His

glory, and the express image of His essence, and

upholding all things by the word of His power, through

Himself cleansing of our sins, He sat down on the

right of the Majesty on high, being made so much

better than the angels, as He has by inheritance

obtained a more excellent name than they.”

and

3. to be an Example for us to follow (Luke 9:23) “And

He said to all, If anyone desires to come after Me,

let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and

follow Me.”

By the time Yahshua came to earth, the leaders of the

most religious group on earth, those who had been

"Chosen" by God to exhibit the character of God and to

preach the Good News of God to all of the surrounding

nations of unbelievers, had so perverted and distorted

the Word of God they had been given, turning it away

from a focus on God to a focus on themselves as

"Special" above all men, that it was necessary for God

to come to earth in the form of man, Jesus (Yahshua),

to reveal the exact and complete character of God, to

show that God was vastly different from what men

believed about Him.

But even the religious leaders were in such darkness,

they did not recognize Yahshua as God (YHWH). They

were looking for the Messiah to come in the image of

"man," THEIR image of "man" - an earthly king who

would destroy their earthly enemies, the Romans, and

set up the Judeans as the rulers over all other

nations, an earthly kingdom, ruled by force by a

"Messiah.”

When Messiah refused to do this, when He refused to

destroy Israel's enemies, when He refused to exhibit

the emotions of vengeance as humanity does, the

Judeans refused to accept Him as their Messiah. 

In fact, their hearts were so severely darkened, that

they also felt justified in killing those THEY decided

were God's enemies. By worshiping a "killer" God, they

became like the one they beheld, they became like the

one they worshiped. (2 Cor 3:18) Therefore, in their

obsession against One who claimed to be God, they

murdered Jesus - they murdered God!

Was/Is Jesus fully God - or just a partial

representation of God?

Let's examine the texts:

A) 

Mat 1:21 “And she shall give birth to a Son, and you shall call His Name יהושע  for He shall save His people from their sins.”

Mat 1:22 And all this came to be in order to fill what was spoken by יהוה  through the prophet, saying,

Mat 1:23 “See, a maiden shall conceive, and she shall give birth to a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanu’ĕl,” which translated, means, “Ěl with us.”

B) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. 

"

C) 

Heb 1:1 Elohim, having of old spoken in many portions and many ways to the fathers by the prophets,

Heb 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by the Son, whom He has appointed heir of all, through whom also He made the ages,

 D) "Philip said unto Him (Yahshua), "Master, show us the

Father, and it will satisfy us:'

"Yahshua said unto him, "Have I been so long time with

you, and yet have you not known Me, Philip? He that

has seen Me has seen the Father; and you say then,

"Show us the Father'?"

Conclusion: All of these texts document, without a

doubt, that Yahshua is/was FULLY Elohim! There is NO

indication that Yahshua was, in ANY way, an incomplete

representation of Elohim!

Let's examine the character that He exhibited when He

was on earth.

A. The Bible tells us that He was/is the "Express

Image of the Father." (Heb 1:1-3)

B. We are told that the He was/is to be our "Example"

to follow. (Luke 9:23)

Therefore, it is imperative to examine His character,

which is the EXACT and COMPLETE character of The

Father  because, becoming a New Creature in Messiah,

means to exhibit a character IDENTICAL to the

character of Our Messiah.

We must focus on HIM - - - and NOT on human beings!

We must focus on HIM - - - and NOT on the example of

faithless Israel!

Religious leaders of "Israel" eventually became so

corrupt and so wicked that they crucified Messiah,

they eventually murdered their Deliverer, the very One

who had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt!

Where and how did Israel go so wrong?

Israel began wandering far from YHWH immediately after

their exodus from Egypt.

When the Israelites left Egypt, they had NO weapons.

They left with only their families, their possessions,

their flocks, and "articles of silver and articles of

gold, and garments" (Exodus 12:35) - silver and gold

jewelry plus expensive yardage (material) - the things

that were later used to build the tabernacle of the

Lord in the wilderness.

YHWH had shared His "game-plan" with Moses for the

deliverance of the Israelites. In Exodus 3:2-8, YHWH

talked to Moses through the burning bush:

"And YHWH said, "I have surely seen the affliction

of My people that are in Egypt, and I have heard their

cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their

pain.

"And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of

the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land

into a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with

milk and honey. . . Exodus 3:7,8

YHWH said, "I am come down to deliver them. . ." YHWH

was going to deliver them. He did NOT need any help

from the Israelites. YHWH was showing the Israelites

and ALL believers since then - up to and including the

present time - that HE is solely responsible for our

deliverance from sin (symbolized by Egypt). We have NO

part in our deliverance. It is ALL of YHWh - and

NOTHING of us!

YHWH does the fighting - NOT man! HE does the fighting

in His OWN way - NOT in man's way! HE is ALONE

responsible for our deliverance!

THIS principle is the FOUNDATION of the complete

answer to the question: Does YHWH Approve of

Self-Defense?

YHWH's answer is that HE ALONE is responsible for our

deliverance from both physical and spiritual danger!

When Pharaoh pursued the Israelites, they seemed

trapped between a mountain on one side and the Red Sea

in front of them. The Israelites cried out to Moses,

"Didn't we tell you in Egypt, "Let us alone, that we

may continue to be slaves to the Egyptians? For it

would have been better for us to be slaves to the

Egyptians, than to die here in the wilderness." Exodus

14:12

"And Moses said unto the people:

"Fear not. Stand still, and see the deliverance of the

Lord, which He will show to you today. For the

Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them

again no more forever.

"YHWH SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU, and YOU SHALL BE

QUIET!"

Exodus 14:13

HERE IS YHWH'S PLAN: 

“YHWH SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU, and YOU shall be

quiet!"

THIS is where we must begin, in order to see what HIS

will is about "Self-Defense."

YHWH's Answer is: "YHWH shall fight for you, and

YOU shall be quiet!"

After HE delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians

by parting the waters of the Red Sea, after their

enemies, Pharaoh and the Egyptians were ALL drowned,

the Israelites:

Then the Israelites rejoiced and praised YHWH.

(Exodus 15:1-21)

But the faith of the Israelites was very superficial

and very short-lived. They immediately began murmuring

against Moses when they were thirsty - and hungry, and

could not find water - nor food. YHWH had told them HE

would be their Deliverer, HE would do the fighting for

them, HE would provide for them. 

Many are familiar with the passage in Jeremiah

31:31-34 which mentions a new or renewed covenant. 

This passage is quoted in Hebrews 8:8-12.  Please

notice Jeremiah 31:32 “not according to the covenant

that I cut with their fathers in the day I took them

by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt;

which covenant of Mine they broke, although I was a

husband to them, says YHWH;”  

YHWH here again declares that He was a husband unto

them.  Those who understand the role of husband know

that a husband agrees to guide, protect, and provide

for His bride.  That is the relationship Israel had. 

And that is the relationship those who are truly the

“Bride of Messiah” have.  He will be guide, protector,

and provider.

But the Israelites constantly turned to Moses - they

constantly turned to MAN - and NOT to the Almighty!

They put their trust in MAN - and NOT YHWH! (Exodus,

Chapters 15 and 16)

An Enemy Nation Attacks Israel:

Then, the Amalekites, an enemy of Israel, came to

fight with Israel in Rephidim.

"And Moses said unto Joshua, "Choose us out men, and

go out, fight with Amalek. . So Joshua did as MOSES

had said to him, and fought with Amalek. . . And

Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of

the sword." Exodus 17:9,10,13

It is VERY important to notice several things in this

passage:

1. When the enemy Amalekites were coming against the

Israelites, there is NO record that Moses consulted

with YHWH about how to handle the situation. Moses,

himself, made the decision on what to do: "Moses said

unto Joshua. . ."

2. Joshua did not consult the Eternal, either. Joshua

did what MOSES told him to do.

3. The Israelites had, somewhere along the way,

obtained weapons to defeat the Amalekites "with the

edge of the sword."

The logical conclusion as to where the Israelites

obtained their weapons (as they had NO weapons when

they left Egypt), was from the weapons that floated

ashore after Pharaoh and the Egyptians were drowned in

the Red Sea.

This means that, even though YHWH had miraculously

delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians by opening

the Red Sea, the Israelites still did not trust HIM.

Undoubtedly, they believed that a coincidence of

nature caused a mighty wind to blow, and thus the

waters of the Red Sea were parted. They completely

failed to see YHWH's hand in it. Instead they

immediately took up arms to take control of their own

fate - to DEFEND themselves - to PRACTICE

SELF-DEFENSE! Instead of leaving their defense to

YHWH, the Almighty.

Did the Israelites chose to put their trust in "MAN" -

in Moses and Joshua and in themselves and their

weapons - instead of trusting in YHWH to defend them?

This was to Israel a GREAT TURNING POINT - - - AWAY

from YHWH!

Over the next many centuries, up to and including the

time of Messiah, Israel continued to grow farther and

farther from YHWH.

The Character of YHWH

Now, let's look at the character of YHWH, in light of

the fact that Israel had rejected His protection and

taken their defense into their own hands.

YHWH could have walked away and left them to their own

devices, to fend completely for themselves. But He

chose not to do that.

Even though the Israelites had chosen to fight for

themselves, He did not leave them. He knew that the

Israelites' decision would bring them much harm,

disappointment and loss of life, compared to His

original Perfect plan of deliverance for them, by

Himself ALONE. But He still remained with the

Israelites helping them to minimize the disasters they

would bring upon themselves by their own foolish

decisions.  He was still their husband.

Because He remained with the Israelites as they fought

their wars - rather than totally abandoning them, He

has been falsely accused of endorsing: 1) war, 2) the

use of weapons in self-defense, and 3) the destruction

of the humanly-declared enemies of Our Messiah and the

humanly-declared enemies of His true disciples.

It was THIS DECISION by the Israelites, the decision

to take up arms against the very first enemy they

confronted after their deliverance from Egypt, the

decision to defend themselves rather than letting YHWH

defend them, the decision to put their trust in man -

in themselves - rather than to put their trust in HIM,

that eventually led the Israelites --many centuries

later to crucify Our Messiah!

Their initial decision to run their OWN lives, rather

than to let YHWH run their lives, allowed their hearts

and the hearts of their progeny, to become so

progressively darkened that they could no longer

discern right from wrong, they could no longer discern

truth from error, they could not discern YHWH in the

form of Yahushua, even when He was standing right in

front of them.

Instead, they accused Him of being controlled by Satan

("Beelzebub" - Luke 11:15), and they cried out,

"Crucify Him; crucify Him!" 

And they murdered Our Messiah!

YHWH gave the early Israelites another chance! 

YHWH gave the early Israelites another chance to let

Him be their deliverer, rather than the Israelites

practicing Self-Defense. After He had told Moses to

ask the Israelites to come to the foot of Mt. Sinai so

He could talk to the people directly (Ex 19:9), the

people became frightened and refused to have direct

communion with Him. They wanted Moses to talk to Him

directly, and then Moses could tell them what He said.

(Ex 20:18-21) They wanted MAN as an intermediary

between YHWH and themselves.

It was only AFTER the Israelites made their OWN

decision NOT to talk to YHWH directly that YHWH set up

the entire system of civil laws for man to rule over

man, and the entire religious sanctuary system where

priests were ordained to be the intermediary between

man and YHWH. This whole system, both civil and

religious, was set up by YHWH IN RESPONSE to the

Israelites desire NOT to talk to YHWH directly.

This was NOT HIS idea. This was MAN'S idea!

Even after all this, YHWH still planned to bring the

Israelites into the Promised Land WITHOUT bloodshed,

WITHOUT the Israelites' weapons of war. His Plan STILL

was to deliver the Israelites into the Promised Land

by HIS might ALONE, as He said in Exodus 23:28:

"I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive

out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from

before thee. 

"I will not drive them out from before thee in one

year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of

the field multiply against thee. 

"Little by little, I will drive them out from before

thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land."

His Plan was to drive the inhabitants of the land out

with hornets. He would do it ALONE! NO ONE would be

killed or hurt, neither the Israelites, nor the

inhabitants of Canaan. After all, the Hivites, the

Cannanites, and the Hittites were His children as

well. Even though they were not worshiping Him at that

time, YHWH still loved them. 

But, for the rest of their time in the wilderness, and

their conquest of the land of Canaan, the Israelites

were totally committed to battling for themselves. Oh

yes, they asked Him to be with them as they

slaughtered others and were slaughtered themselves.

They were willing to take His advice, at times, but

ONLY when it agreed with THEIR general plan of

"Conquest by War and Weaponry."

The Israelites had chosen to do things THEIR way,

rather than YHWH's way. But even then, He did not

leave them entirely alone. He helped them when they

asked for His advice regarding the plans THEY had

made. Because of this, YHWH has been accused of

ENDORSING their plans. But He did not. Instead, He met

them where they were and worked with them to minimize

the damage they would bring on themselves.

Hence, the need for a covenant with the laws written

in the hearts and minds of mankind.

Here is a human illustration of how YHWH interacts

with us when we make our OWN plans, instead of

following His way:

There is the story of a man named Joe who was against

hunting and killing animals for sport. All of his

friends were hunters, and repeatedly they asked him to

go hunting with them. He always refused. They

respected him but would taunt him now and then about

his distaste for killing animals.

The man tried to instill in his son the same respect

for animal life and never allowed his son to go

hunting when the son's friends invited him.

Years passed and the son grew up to the age where he

could make his own decisions. He then decided he

wanted to go hunting with his friends. The young man's

father was heart-sick that his training had not

convinced the son of the wrong he was doing, but the

son persisted in his determination to be a hunter.

Because the son was old enough to decide for himself,

and the son had made the choice to be a hunter, the

father had two options: 1) to let his son go hunting

with only the knowledge that he could pick up from

other hunters, or 2) to teach his son how to handle a

gun safely so he wouldn't injure or kill himself or

others and to teach his son how to shoot so the animal

would be killed quickly and mercifully and not die a

suffering death.

The father chose the second option. So he took his son

to a shooting range and was in the process of teaching

his son how to handle a gun safely and how to shoot on

target, when who should appear but the man's old

friends who had repeatedly asked the man to join them

for hunting.

As the friends stood afar off and watched the father

and son, they decided (wrongly) that Joe had changed

his mind about hunting and now endorsed it. After all,

it was obvious that he was teaching his own son how to

shoot. They saw it with their own eyes. 

But of course, the friends of Joe were VERY WRONG! Joe

was still VERY MUCH AGAINST hunting. He had just

decided to "meet his son where he was" and make the

best of his son's bad decision. 

Joe's friends had judged Joe wrongly!

The whole world has judged YHWH wrongly in the same

way. YHWH NEVER intended that the Israelites take up

arms to defend themselves. He repeatedly told them

that HE would defend them, HE would fight their

enemies, but NOT with physical warfare.

But when they refused to follow His ways and insisted

on following their OWN ways by fighting their enemies

with weapons, He still did not leave them. They were,

as we are, His children, and He helped them as much as

He could, even with the disastrous plans they had

chosen for themselves.  After all, He had chosen them,

and was fulfilling His word to their faithful father,

Abraham.

But because of His kind and loving attitudes toward

His errant, rebellious children, He has been accused

of endorsing the perverse plans of the Israelites. 

HIS original Plan was for their deliverance from Egypt

by HIM - and HIM ALONE!

So, we CANNOT use as our example, how Israel

functioned AFTER they chose to reject His way. We must

focus on God's Initial Perfect Plan for Israel's

deliverance.

He DID NOT endorse - NOR approve of – their

Self-Defense!

It was NEVER His way!

We must look at YHWH'S ways - and NOT at Israel's

rebellious ways!

We must look at the life of Yahshua Our Messiah!

Suspension of the Law?

If, as some assert, it is justifiable to break the

sixth commandment to protect oneself or one's

interests, is it also permissible to break any of the

other commandments when threatened? Consider the same

question of defense, but substitute any of YHWH's

commands for the sixth commandment:

» First Commandment: Could we have another god before

the true God if it meant protection for our families

and properties? For instance, would God look kindly

upon us accepting Allah in order to stay alive?

» Second Commandment: Can we fall back on idol worship

if it will keep us alive? Aaron built the Golden Calf

for the Israelites because he feared them more than

God (Exodus 32:1-9)—and YHWH was very displeased!

» Third Commandment: Can we take on YHWH's name, only

to renounce it when trouble comes? Could we diminish

the quality of our worship of YHWH if it meant safety

and security? Would YHWH be pleased if we ignored His

true nature—His character, mind, plans, will,

promises—in hope of putting ourselves in a better

position?

» Fourth Commandment: The seventh-day Sabbath is a

weekly reminder of some of YHWH's attributes, as well

as a unique sign and everlasting covenant between Him

and His people (Exodus 31:12-17). It plays a crucial

part in our relationship with YHWH. Would He ever

approve our renouncing the Sabbath to keep from harm?

Imperial and Papal Rome martyred many Christians

because they held this part of God's law as inviolate.

» Fifth Commandment: A current cultural trend is

disrespect toward parents by both adolescent and grown

children. However, in Deuteronomy 27:16, YHWH

pronounces a death sentence on children who treat

their parents with contempt. Likewise, He would

condemn a person who broke this commandment to save

his skin.

» Seventh Commandment: The spiritual principle behind

adultery and fornication is faithlessness to an

agreement, covenant, or contract. YHWH accuses Israel

of harlotry because they were unfaithful to their

covenant with Him. Even though it is highly unlikely

that we would ever be "asked" to commit sexual

immorality to save our lives, could we break an

agreement or contract to protect our lives or

properties? Would YHWH wink at our breaking our eternal

covenant with Him—sealed with His Son's blood—in the

interest of self-preservation?

» Eighth Commandment: The psalmist writes that, in all

of his life, he has "not seen the righteous forsaken,

nor his descendants begging bread" (Psalm 37:25). We

would not be justified in stealing food—or anything

else—to preserve life when God shows repeatedly in His

Word that He will provide for the righteous (Matthew

6:25, 33).

» Ninth Commandment: It is extremely easy to lie to

save oneself or one's family. Anyone up against a wall

with a gun to his head would be tempted to tell a

"little white lie" to stay alive. Under the perceived

threat of death because of Sarah's beauty, Abraham

told a "half-truth" to Abimelech. YHWH did not accept

this behavior from the "father of the faithful." Would

He be pleased with us in any similar situation?

» Tenth Commandment: In its wider application, the

command against coveting deals with the root of one's

sin against his neighbor: attitudes, desires, and

secret thoughts. If our "neighbor" is robbing or

threatening us, would God hold us guiltless for

"coveting" our neighbor's life—desiring that his life

be taken—if God has not ordained it?

It is evident that YHWH does not allow us to suspend

His inexorable law if our life is threatened. Human

nature, though, insists on a "self clause." Human

nature tells us that YHWH's law is fine unless it goes

contrary to what we perceive as our best interests.

Sovereignty and Submission

At the core of this question, as with our entire

"Christian" walk, is government—not the government of a

nation but the issue of whom we will allow to govern

us. In this instance, either we can govern ourselves

by "deciding" when it is permissible to kill, or we

can submit to YHWH's benevolent authority and His

explanation of morality. In the final analysis, we are

not allowed to determine what is right and wrong—YHWH

has already done this. Our only decision is if we will

act in accordance with YHWH's law!

Each of the nine examples above arrays the

"all-important" self against YHWH and His royal

law—polar opposites. What we decide demonstrates what

we hold in the higher regard, that is, what we

worship. For example, if we intentionally take another

man's life in defense of our own, are we worshipping

the self rather than YHWH?

Romans 8:7 describes this power struggle perfectly:

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against YHWH; for it

is not subject to the law of YHWH, nor indeed can be."

Human nature puts its own cares and interests above

YHWH, and the result is that the carnal man will not

submit himself to YHWH's clear commands. The carnal man

will be willing to harm, even kill, another created

human being to protect his own interests, in spite of

YHWH's law and Messiah’s striking example to the

contrary.

Judge, Jury, and Executioner

To further illustrate how prominent the self is in

this, in taking another man's life, one is acting as

his judge, jury, and executioner. This, then, also

involves the sin of presumptuousness. Of these three

roles, the only authority YHWH has given us is to

judge. He commands us to judge—to consider a matter in

the light of His definition of right and wrong—but it

is not our place to decide a sentence or to carry it

out. To do so presumes authority not granted to us.

As we saw earlier, the self-defense scenario does not

hold up when considered in light of the other nine

commandments. We can undertake a similar exercise in

terms of one acting as judge, jury, and executioner.

What other scenarios could we imagine that would

justify killing another person in response to or in

anticipation of a sin? Should we emulate the radical

followers of Islam and kill anyone who does not

convert to "Christianity"? Should we shoot someone

because he has an idol in his house? Can we murder a

man because we overheard him telling a lie or stone a

woman taken in adultery?

These examples are absurd because YHWH says every sin

requires the death penalty (Romans 6:23). Not a single

person would be alive if God responded to sin as

carnal man wants to respond to sins that directly

affect him. Also, consider that, in the scenario of

killing in self-defense, the one killing is judging

that his life is more important than the life he is

willing to snuff out. One sinner accounts his life to

be of more worth than the life of another sinner.

Would God make the same determination?

The Other Side:

Now, let's closely examine the aforementioned texts

that are used to support the claim that YHWH's Word

endorses Self-Defense:

1. "And if anyone does not provide for his own, and

especially for those of his own household, he has

denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 

1 Timothy 5:8

When this text is read in context, it has nothing to

do with protection of one's family from attackers or

intruders. The passage, instead, pertains to providing

for the elderly women and widows in one's family,

rather than putting that burden on the church.

2. "If a thief be found breaking in, and be smitten

that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him."

Exodus 22:2

Let's look again at the chronology of that directive. 

In Exodus 19:10,11, YHWH told Moses to direct the

Israelites to come to the foot of Mt. Sinai so He

could talk to them directly.

He gave the Ten Commandments to the people in Exodus

20:1-17.  YHWH's intention at Sinai was to put the LAW

into the hearts of the Israelites, so they would have

a new heart, and do right because it is right - NOT

just because there was a law written on stone. But in

verses 18-22, we find that the people were terrified

of Him and refused to allow Him to talk to them

directly. They told Moses to talk to Him, then Moses

could tell them what HE said. They were afraid they

would die if YHWH talked to them directly. 

Therefore, since the Israelites refused to allow God

to have personal interaction with each one of them

directly, it was impossible for God to put the Law in

their hearts. Instead, YHWH wrote the law on tablets

of stone - a physical presence of the law - rather

than a spiritual law written on their hearts. 

It was only after the Israelites refused to allow God

to put the law in their hearts (which would have made

a human justice system unnecessary), that YHWH set up a

system where man would rule over man. Only then did

God give penalties for thieves, murderers and those

guilty of man-slaughter.

This was NOT in YHWH's initial plan.

In addition, YHWH gave them additional laws of conduct

in Exodus 21:24,25:

"Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for

foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for

stripe."

These laws were given in Exodus 21, AFTER YHWH gave the

Ten Commandments (in Exodus 20) and the people refused

to be in direct contact with YHH, they refused to

allow Him to be there Leader and Ruler. They wanted to

be led by "Man," to get their orders from Moses, not

YHWH.

So YHWH gave them what they desired, a plan so man

could rule over man in place of Himself. In that

situation, He set down rules to limit their

ruthlessness. He told them, "if someone puts out

another's eye, the victim CANNOT respond in ANY way

that is more vicious than what was done to him." 

(Again, please be aware that these were instructions

that were to be administered through the judges (v.

22), those who had the responsibility to administer

judgment.)  

YHWH's Instruction

The children of Israel, before they demanded a king in

I Samuel 8:5-8, were both a nation and a religious

congregation. The human government that YHWH ordained

over Israel had both civil and religious authority. As

such, many of Israel's civil laws given by God through

Moses are not directly applicable today because we do

not live in a church-state with YHWH at the helm and

directly bearing on the judicial process. Nonetheless,

these laws still show YHWH's intent and will concerning

civil matters—in the situation brought about by

rejecting His direct government.

YHWH instructed Israel about what to do when a man was

killed. Numbers 35:9-28 shows that YHWH recognizes only

two classifications of killing: accidental and

intentional. "Self-defense" is not even listed as a

possibility! YHWH illustrates "accidental death" as

occurring when there is no intent to kill or to harm.

It is accidental when there is no awareness that an

action will result in the death of another.

Deuteronomy 19:5 provides a clear example of such an

accident: ". . . as when a man goes to the woods with

his neighbor to cut timber, and his hand swings a

stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head

slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that

he dies."

However, when there is intent to kill or injure, YHWH's

law defines it as murder regardless of what the other

person was threatening to do, about to do, or in the

process of doing. If a man fires a gun with the

foreknowledge that it has the potential to kill

another man, it is murder. The "self-defense" category

is something afforded by the law of the land, not by

the law of YHWH.

But this was NOT YHWH's ideal. That's why Our Messiah

said, in Matt 5:38:

"You have heard that it has been said, "An eye for an

eye, and a tooth for a tooth;

"But I say unto you, That you resist NOT an evil

person; but whosoever shall smite you on your right

cheek, turn to him the other also."  (Of course, this

should not be taken as a command not to flee or avoid

physical abuse.)

He was telling them that now that He had come to save

the world, the old way of doing things was no longer

necessary or valid. The Holy Spirit would now be

available for all—and His Law is written in our hearts

and minds.  The system of priests and sacrifices would

be done away with, and there would be direct

communication between the people and YHWH. He will

rule man directly, through His Spirit being in their

hearts. Therefore, they would exhibit the VERY SAME

CHARACTER that Messiah exhibited when He was on earth.

3. "A righteous man who falters before the wicked is a

murky spring and a polluted well." Proverbs 25:26

There are many texts in Proverbs that instruct the

righteous against being influenced by the wicked, such

as:

4. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a

companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20

There is nothing to suggest that Proverbs 25:26 refers

to taking the life of a wicked man. That would be

contrary to everything else in the Scriptures. It is

much more likely that it is referring to standing for

truth against the pressure from wicked peers. Yahshua

said, "He that denieth Me before men shall be denied

before the angels of Elohim." Luke 12:9

5. "And I looked and rose up, and said unto the

nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the

people, "Be not afraid of them: remember YHWH, who

is great and awesome, and fight for your brethren,

your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your

houses." Nehemiah 4:14 

One of the factors on which they were exhorted to

bravery was to remember all that YHWH had done for His

people—all the times He had protected them in the

past.

Let us not forget that this passage, written by the

prophet Nehemiah in about 430 B.C., was written

approximately 1,000 years AFTER the Exodus, 500 years

after King David's rule, 450 years after the kingdoms

of Israel and Judah were divided, and about 200 years

after the Israelites had been exiled to Babylon, the

"model" nation for wickedness! 

Even though Nehemiah was a prophet of YHWH, the idea of

warfare was so ingrained in the people of Israel, that

pure trust in YHWH for their safety was almost

unthinkable to the average person.  Nehemiah chose to

be armed and have his fellow temple builders armed. 

Again, there are no instructions from YHWH for him to

arm the people.  Certainly since this effort was HIS

will, He would have protected them whether or not they

armed themselves.  So this passage does not state as

to whether YHWH approved of this action or not.  

Also, history records that no attacks were made on

them.  It was not His will that they be attacked.

6. "Then He (Yahshua) said unto them (His disciples),

"But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and

likewise his bag (containing his money): and he that

has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. .

. and they (the disciples) said, "Master, behold here

are two swords.' And He (Yahshua) said unto them, "It is

enough." Luke 22:36,38

Over and over again, in the Messianic Scriptures, the

word "sword" is used figuratively, meaning "truth."

Yahshua said,

"I came not to send peace, but a sword." Matt 10:34

". . .the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of

Elohim. "Eph 6:17

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;

These things saith He which 

hath the sharp sword with two edges. . ." Rev 2:12

"And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with

it He should strike the nations." Revelation 19:15

In these instances, the word "sword" is used

figuratively symbolizing "truth" or "the Word of Elohim."

Is it not reasonable to conclude that Messiah's use of

the word "sword" in Luke 22:36, is also figurative and

not literal? 

In addition, Messiah used the words "garment" or

"garments" ten times in the New Testament: Matt 9:16

(twice), Matt 22:11, Matt 22:12, Matt 23:5, Mark 2:21,

Mark 13:16, Luke 5:36, Luke 22:36, Rev. 3:4.

In virtually every instance, the words "garment" or

"garments" were used figuratively, NOT literally, such

as: 1) the wedding "garment" of righteousness, 2) a

parable of putting a new "patch" and an old "garment"

compared similarly to putting new wine into old

wineskins, 3) symbolizing the Pharisee's obsession for

the adulation of the people, 4) "garment" symbolized

possessions (Mark 13:16). 

It is reasonable to conclude that here in Luke 22:36,

the usage by Our Messiah of the word "garment" is also

figurative, and not literal. 

If Luke 22:36 were to be taken literally, Messiah

would be telling his disciples to sell their literal

clothes and buy literal swords. During His time,

people didn't have closets full of clothes, nor did

they travel with luggage. Most of them only had one

garment that they washed and wore over and over again.

If they sold their one garment to buy a sword, they

would be traveling naked!

In addition, when the disciples responded to Messiah's

directive, which the disciples all took literally,

they said, "Lord, behold here are two swords. And

Messiah said unto them, "It is enough." 

This was also a fulfillment of prophecy.  He was to be

numbered with the lawless ones, (v.37), and for this

reason, the two swords sufficed.

Obviously, two literal swords are grossly inadequate

to defend twelve men who are being physically

attacked. Messiah said, "It is enough," because He

realized all too clearly that they didn't understand

what He was trying to tell them. So, in this instance,

as in many before and after this, He just let it drop.

What Our Messiah was trying to tell the disciples was

to get rid of their "garments" of unrighteousness and,

instead, replace them with the "sword" of Elohim's Word,

the "sword" of truth.

But the disciples were clueless. They had no idea what

Messiah meant. 

So, some would conclude that none of these texts,

frequently quoted by supporters of self-defense, stand

up to scrutiny. They, in fact, do NOT support

Self-Defense in the sense of taking another’s life or

doing physical harm! 

We have looked at "Israel," at "man's" way of doing

things - - - now let's Look at the Life of Messiah!

We are told that Yahshua is our Example: (Luke 9:23)

We are told that by beholding Yahshua, we will be

changed into His image: (2 Cor 3:18)

We are told that "the ONLY name among men by which we

MUST be saved - is the name of Jesus!" (Acts 4:12)

We are told to follow Yahushua. Live life as He lived

it - doing ONLY the will of His Father - OUR Father! 

Therefore, we must look at the life of Yahusha - and

take our eyes OFF of Israel.

The Life of Our Messiah:

Was there EVER a time when Messiah was on earth that

He hurt or killed ANYONE – in self-defense? 

Was there EVER a time when He defended Himself or

others with physical force?

Often the story of Yahshua's cleansing of the temple is

used as support for the idea of striking back at

others.

But read the story carefully. Yahshua NEVER killed, or

even hurt, anybody. Yahshua, at no time appeared

frightening. The Bible gives us the evidence:

"And the Passover was at hand, and Yahshua went up to

Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold

oxen and sheep and doves and the moneychangers

sitting:

"And when He had made a whip of small cords, he drove

them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the

oxen: and poured out the changers' money, and

overturned the tables;

"And said unto them that sold doves, "Take these

things hence; make not My Father's house an house of

merchandise . . . 

"And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple;

and He healed them." John 2:13-16, Matt 21:14

Immediately after the moneychangers and the animals

left, sick people flocked to Yahshua for healing. Sick

people do NOT flock to a person who appears

frightening. 

Obviously Yahshua did not scare them. They willingly

came to Him, asking Him to heal them.

How Did Yahshua Treat the Common People?

Look at the way Our Messiah treated Judas at the Last

Supper. Even after He knew that Judas had betrayed Him

to His death, He knelt and washed Judas' feet.

After Messiah was arrested, Peter denied Him three

times. He looked at Peter with sadness, not anger.

When Yahshua was arrested, falsely accused, mocked,

ridiculed, stripped naked, beaten and crucified, He

NEVER fought back. He NEVER made ANY move to save

Himself. His response was, "Father, forgive them, they

don't understand what they're doing."  (It was all in

accordance with the Father’s will.)

Our Messiah came to earth to be an example for us

(Luke 9:23), to show us how to live, to reveal to us

that 

He came to do: ". . not My own will, but the will of

Him who sent Me." (John 6:38)

We are to follow His example. We are to put our full

trust in YHWH, knowing that He is Sovereign, that

"ALL is OF Him, TO Him and THROUGH Him" (Rom 11:36). 

God is in TOTAL control of everything. Satan cannot do

anything unless YHWH allows it. (See Job, Chapters 1 &

2). And He says that:

"God worketh ALL things after the counsel of HIS OWN

WILL." Eph 1:11

In the Tanach, it was clearly YHWH's Plan that the

Israelites were NOT to fight physically. YHWH was going

to "fight" for them, instead. But YHWH's "fighting" is

very different from man's warfare. YHWH was going to

"fight" by opening the Red Sea, by driving out the

Canaanites with hornets, etc. 

In the Messianic Scriptures, Messiah, by the example

of His entire, perfect life, showed us that He did not

resort to Self-Defense. In Ephesians 6:10-17 we are

told:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Master and in

the power of His might.

"Put on the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able

to STAND  against the schemes of the devil. . .

"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with TRUTH,

and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel

of peace;

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of

the Spirit, which is the Word of Elohim.

"Wherefore take up the whole armor of Elohim, that you

may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having

done all, to STAND."

The armor of Elohim that we are instructed to wear is

Spiritual armor, NOT physical armor. And we are to

STAND, NOT fight! YHWH does the fighting for us because

our enemy is spiritual and not physical, even if it

appears physical, and we are incapable of fighting the

battle ourselves.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but

against principalities, against powers, against the

rulers of the darkness of this world, against

spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places." Eph 6:12

"He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me,

is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life shall

lose it; and he that loseth his life for My sake shall

find it." (Matt 10:39)

When we deliver ourselves from danger by the use of

deadly force, we rob YHWH of His glory by robbing Him

of His plans for us, whether to save us miraculously

or allow us to die like He did.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said, "Our Elah CAN save

us from the burning fiery furnace, but even if He

doesn't, we will NOT bow down to gods and images."

(Dan 3:17,18)

"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able

to kill the soul. . ." Matt 10:28

"They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the

time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think

that he doeth Elohim service." John 16:2 "If the world

hate you, you know that it hated Me before it hated

you.

"If you were of the world, the world would love his

own, but because you are not of the world, but I have

chosen you out of the world, therefore the world

hateth you.

"Remember the word that I said unto you, "The servant

is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted

Me, they will also persecute you." John 15:18-20

Some say, "Well, I will certainly be willing to die

for the Lord or His Word, but I'm not willing to die

because a burglar breaks into my house."

But it's ALL about trusting YHWH.

"For Elohim has not given us a spirit of fear; but of

power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

"Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am

your Elohim. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I

will uphold you with my right hand of righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

"YHWH is my light and my salvation; whom shall I

fear? YHWH is the strength of my life; of whom

shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

"I will say of YHWH, He is my refuge and my

fortress; my Elohim; in Him will I trust. Psalm 91:2

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help

in trouble. Psalm 46:1

"The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.. . .

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Psalm

23:1,4

We must put our entire trust in the Lord.

Well, does that mean I should leave my doors unlocked?

Is it a sin to have a security system?

Of course not! We should lock our doors, and a

security system is prudent if one can afford it. We

are told NOT to be presumptuous. Messiah was tempted,

by Satan, to jump from the pinnacle of the temple.

Satan claimed that the angels would catch Messiah,

"lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."

(Matt 4:5,6)

But Messiah responded, "It is written, "Thou shalt NOT

tempt (test) the Lord thy God." Matt 4:7 In other

words, we are NOT to be presumptuous. We are to do the

reasonable things for our protection, but do nothing

that can harm someone significantly or take a life.

What if one sees kidnapers kidnapping a child? Is one

supposed to just stand there and let it happen? Or

just stand there and pray?

Prayer is appropriate at anytime, even while you are

tackling the kidnapper. But "tackling" is NOT deadly

force.

What if an intruder comes in to rape a man's wife?

What if a burglar comes in and puts a gun to your

child's head? Doesn't a father and husband have a

right and an obligation to protect his wife and

children, even to the point of taking the life of the

burglar or rapist? 

The Bible explicitly tells us that,

"He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword." (Matt

26:52)

But where does God fit into all this? God says that He

is our Protector. We are to "Fear Not!" Do we trust

God for our safety, leaving our lives in His hands? Or

do we not trust that He is watching after us? If we

have a gun in our hands, what does that leave for God

to do? Some would answer, "God's job is to help us

shoot straight so we can kill the one who is attacking

us."

But that's not true. The Bible tells us to,

"LOVE your enemies (NOT kill them). Do GOOD to those

who hate you. PRAY for those that despitefully use

you." (Matt 5:44)

We are to

"Love our neighbor as ourself" (Matt 19:19)

and that includes NOT taking his life.

If we are not under God's protection, we are under the

control of the Adversary. There is NO in-between.

As soon as we take over our OWN protection, we have

taken our protection OUT of the LORD'S hands and put

it in OUR OWN hands. We are trusting in ourselves, we

are trusting in MAN - and NOT in YHWH!

The Bible tells us clearly that,

"He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword." (Matt

26:52)

We are telling God that we do not think He is capable

of protecting us - or that if He is going to allow

something bad to happen to us, we prefer to run our

own life, rather than having Him run it for us. We

will not accept whatever unpleasantness He may allow

us to undergo.

At that moment, we are NO LONGER under the protection

of the Lord, who loves us and always knows what is

best for us.

Instead, we are under Satan's control, under the

control of the most wicked being in the universe, one

who hates us and wants us dead!

Self-Defense means that we will kill someone else

before he or she kills us or our family.

Self-Defense means that we are willing to KILL in

order to "stop the KILLING!"

But does that EVER work?

The Judeans and Arabs have been killing each other for

thousands of years, and the killing NEVER stops.

If "killing - to stop the killing" works, then how

about a pre-emptive strike at someone you think might

be coming after you, as the U.S. did against Iraq? Is

that the next step in personal Self-Defense? The

Pre-emptive strike against Iraq was endorsed by the

vast majority of Christians, so why not a personal

Pre-emptive strike against our personal enemies?

What is the difference?

Messiah came to show that the ONLY way to stop the

killing is to LOVE our enemies! That's what He showed

at the crucifixion. That's why He said, "Father,

forgive them. They don't understand what they are

doing."

The Bible tells us that,

"God is Love" - and "Love NEVER fails." (1John 4:8; 1

Cor 13:8)

If "LOVE" is the right way to respond to our enemies,

then His way is right!

If "KILLING our enemy before he kills us," is the