It is true, Jesus is God and all reality was spoken into existence by God (Genesis 1). In Jesus time and in our time, the reality of evil is ever present. The evil in America today is from individuals and evil principalities. These people and organizations create chaos, sponsor lawlessness, and disorder. Innocent citizens are daily robbed, raped, assaulted, and murdered. The reality is Christians are targeted and will be overpowered by evil if good Christian men do nothing.
The consequences of doing nothing are severe, leading to a society we have today, marked by injustice, pain, and corruption. However, when Christians rise to action, and defend the Gospel, we actively participate in God’s plan to restore righteousness and peace. Evil will always find room to thrive when good people, Disciples of Christ, do nothing, but when we stand firm, we reflect God’s heart for justice, mercy, and truth.
This reality is confirmed in many scriptures. James 4:17, explains the sin of omission. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Luke 11:23, Jesus explained the cost of neutrality. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Psalm 94:16, God asks “Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?” Nehemiah 4:14, implores us “…Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” Then Isaiah 56:10-11, God condemns the silent. “Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.” Proverbs 31:8-9, God tells us to, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 1 Peter 1:13, Living before God our Father, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
We can go on and on! Revelation 3:15-16, explains lukewarm faith and Proverbs 31:8-9 compels the God fearing to speak for the voiceless. 1 John 3:17, explains the sin of indifference. In Ephesians 5:11, commands Disciples expose darkness. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, commands Disciples to stand firm in faith and then in Matthew 5:14-16 Disciples are to be the light and salt of the World. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.”
Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind that everything quoted above is being an aggressive God-fearing Christian? A Christian who is active, bold, and full of grace. This is what Christians is being taught from the pulpit in most churches in America, right? No, but why? Could today’s Church be like the old Pogo comic strip? “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
Nowhere in scriptures did God say self-defense is not permissible. Mark 3:27, Jesus said, “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.” This means men, confirmed in Nehemiah 4:14 above, are to defend their homes, their families and themselves.
Jesus said, blessed are the peacemakers. Peacemakers cannot make peace if Christ’s Disciples cannot go on the offensive and then, defend themselves. The Apostle Paul went on the offensive, which caused him to defend the gospel of Christ. Jesus acknowledges this by blessing peacemakers who strive to make peace, then another acknowledges evils pushback when He said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3-12). The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:16 that he was put on earth to defend the gospel of truth. Therefore, it goes without saying, every man who is a disciple of Christ’s is to defend the Gospel of truth.
Can those who fear God use violent self-defense? Didn’t King David, as a shepherd violently defend God, his home, family, and country? David brought a rock to a sword fight and killed Goliath demonstrating complete faith in God’s power to deliver. Exodus 22:2 says, “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.” This shows God fearing people have the right to defend their home, family, and self with necessary lethal force.
There is no doubt today, there are going to be real situations that call for self-defense. Like the woman in Florida who saw three men about to break in to her home. She was alone with her nine-month-old child. She called 911 and was told the police could not get to her for a least 20 minutes. The police told her to not fire her weapon until the men broke into her home. When the men broke into her home, she defended herself killing two and seriously wounding the other. Can any Disciple of Christ say with a clear conscience that she sinned? No, the three men put her into an impossible situation where her only alternative was to be a victim or to defend herself. I believe God gave her the strength and tenacity to protect herself and her child with her gun.
Did Jesus say to buy a sword, a real sword? Luke 22:36, Jesus instructs. “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.” This reflects Jesus advising His followers to be prepared, allowing for the reality of practical self-defense in dangerous times. How important is self-defense? Sell your outer garment and buy one! The sword is more important than clothes.
The future for the Disciples is they would be going into the midst of dangers. The world was infested with robbers and wild beasts. It was customary in that time for anyone who traveled to go armed. To do otherwise would be fullish. Jesus is telling His Disciples of the necessity of being prepared in the practical real-life-world. This is to procure a sword because of the great dangers before them; that their manner of life would be changed, and they would need provisions appropriate for that kind of life. This amounts to a “prediction” that they would soon leave the places which they had been accustomed, and go into scenes of poverty, want, and danger, where they would have to count on the necessity of money, provisions, and the means for self-defense.
Then after Luke 22:38 Jesus had to travel to the Garden which was over a mile away. In John 18:1 confirms this. “When he had said this, Jesus went out with his disciples across the Kidron valley to where there was a garden, into which He and his disciples entered.” Jesus and his disciples ascended the slope of the Mount of Olives, crossed the Jericho Road, and arrive at the garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1- Matt 26:1) traveling 1.2 miles.
Many people point to Jesus’ rebuking Simon Peter for cutting off a guard’s ear when Jesus is getting arrested as evidence that Jesus does not allow self-defense. This story is told in all four gospels. Matthew 26:51-54 says; “And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
However, this story reveals the opposite lesson. Jesus rebukes Peter’s actions because Peter was standing in the way of God’s will. Jesus told His disciples multiple times that He would be arrested, given a hearing, and then killed. Despite knowing that these events were to occur, Peter chose to act unwisely and attack the guard.
Nevertheless, Romans 12: 17-19 the Apostle Paul gives Christians a command. “Repay no evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourself, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
This is using God’s wisdom, understanding and tack to deter or prevent conflict. This should be every Christians first line of defense. However, on the road or in life in this evil world, where there will be great dangers and when we have no choice, Disciples need to be prepared to defend themselves.
May God Bless you this day!
David Howard, Foxhole Ministry