Believers & Self Defense

If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies,
there shall be no bloodguilt for him.
Exodus 22: 2

"You're supposed to turn the other cheek." A phrase, quoting scripture that's often used on believers who discuss physical altercations. It is wise to avoid fights at all cost but if a situation boils down to you and another getting ready to brawl you better swing! It's ridiculous to believe that if we're struck physically that we should "turn the other cheek" because I'm pretty sure that cheek will get hit too. It's not a sin to fight back. God is not frowning at you for balling up your fist and swinging in the

scenario of self defense. The Father is not sitting their saying "My child, no! do not fight back just stay on the ground. They'll stop kicking you eventually." Many will point that Jesus wasn't violent nor fought anyone during his time walking the earth so they're just trying to emulate him. The thought is beautiful as who wouldn't wanna try to walk like Jesus? but remember, Jesus was not only man he also was the son of God (and still is) and he had a mission. I'm pretty sure Jesus was tempted once or twice to punch a Pharisee in the face because they kept hassling him (remember Jesus was man like us so he got irritated and annoyed like us). He didn't though because again, he had a mission to complete.

In the name of Jesus!...get out my house!

This is not to say fighting is a sin, at least not justified fighting. You're not in sin if someone is trying to harm you or your family and you're defending yourself and them. Here's a scenario: It's 8pm and you're sitting in the living room watching tv. The kids and wife/husband are upstairs sleeping. You suddenly hear someone breaking into your home and they got in. Are you going to drop to your knees, pray and hope that they leave? Or are you going to defend your home? This brings up another subject many believers argue or don't agree with. Owning a weapon. Some absolutely refuse to have guns in their homes because of the accidents that occur in the home, especially if there's children around. That's understandable. However if someone tries to tell you that owning a weapon is frowned upon by God or even a sin, they're 100% wrong. 

Illustration of Matthew 26:52

Someone will argue that Jesus told one of his followers "He who draws the sword will also die by the sword" found in Matthew 26:52. One of the things I've always told people was when reading scripture it is incredibly important to understand the context especially if you're going to isolate a verse from the rest of the chapter. Jesus was being arrested and taken. His disciple's intentions was

noble as he was defending Jesus but notice something. Jesus never reprimanded the disciple for having the sword. He reprimanded him for using it when it wasn't needed. Jesus said if he needed defense he could've easily asked the almighty to send angels down to completely overwhelm the soldiers but didn't. As a matter of fact it was Jesus himself who encouraged his disciples to buy swords while in the upper room (Luke 22:36) though it was for the fulfillment of the prophecy Jesus didn't condemn the weaponry.

Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story
of Desmond Doss a believer who didn't
carry a firearm in battle

  Also think of this; our soldiers in battle. Many of our brave soldiers are believers. Not every soldier is Desmond Doss (the soldier "Hacksaw Ridge" was based on). God will bless soldiers in battle. King David even wrote in Psalms 144:1 "Praise be to the Lord, my Rock who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle." However if you can deescalate a hostile situation without fist or firearms, that is deeply encouraged. If all else fails and it boils down to squaring up you better let them know that they can catch those hands. It is not wrong to defend yourself physically nor to own a weapon.

What do you think? Should Christians run from a fight instead of actually fighting?

Should believers own weapons?

Should all soldiers who in believe God take the Hacksaw Ridge route? Can they?

Let me know what you think!

- William

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