(ROS777;4801)
Self defense is not a sin, if it was, evil would take over the world. Let me clarify: If we just let evil men ( bullies ) take over, evil would be overwhelming and there would be no quality of life or freedom.
Self defense is not something that glorifies God either. Actually, bullies have taken over the world. They have overwhelmed the poor and innocent in almost every country in existence. Even back then, the Romans did terrible things to the people. But God did not encourage them to start a war against them.Something we Americans don't understand is that this is the
world we're talking about - It is Satan's playground. It isn't and won't ever be (until God returns) a wonderful place.
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. - Hebrews 11:32-40
(ROS777;4801)
What about when God told the Israelites to destroy cities in the promised land?
First off, God told them specifically to kill them. God does not tell anyone to kill anymore. That was the old covenant. He made a new covenant with us and we are to follow it. In fact, He says to love your enemies. Personally, I don't remember the Israelites as ideal Christians. God had them do a lot because of there stubbornness and lack of faith. He also knew that as messed-up as the Israelites were, the last thing they needed were a bunch of sick cities around them. Now that is not the only reason God told them to destroy them, but this is something not quite related to what we are talking about and I don't think we want to get into it.The bottom line is that God says not to do it. Do we trust His judgement, or not?(ROS777;4801)
Christians are not second class citizens. When it says to turn the other cheek it is not talking about letting people walk all over you as a door mat.
Why not? Jesus did.
"Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands[a] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?"
He didn't even defend himself when he went to trial. Now of course I am not saying we should go looking for people to abuse us. Personally, I would get out of
any place where you were in danger or being abused. However, the point is not to attack them the way they attack you. What are the 1st & 2nd commandments? :study: (ROS777;4801)
Pray while someone is being murdered or raped? God might answer the prayer but God usually expects us to do all we can first before he steps in.
When did God ever tell us that He expects us to act first and take care of things and then call Him? He teaches us in His Word to "cry out" to Him in times of need.Anyway, I don't know about you but if this were happening I would call the cops (and obey the rule of the Government setup by God over me.) and then ask God to take control of the situation and help me while I did everything I could to help or subdue the person. But I wouldn't Kill them or
try to harm them.(ROS777;4801)
The areas that have limited or no gun control are the areas that have the least amount of violent crime.
Ya, if I were a bad guy I would personally rob some liberal anti-gun community too.
But killing someone because they hit you and stole your purse is going against what God tells us to do.(ROS777;4801)
Please tell me where in the Bible it says to resist not evil and not protect your love ones.
I didn't say you couldn't resist evil and protect your loved ones, because you defiantly should. But I
did say that it was wrong to listen to Satan when he tells you that the
only way to do that is to kill/harm someone - to strike back.(ROS777;4801)
Read the rules of the old testament. Self defense was allowed as well as fighting in wars as soldiers. I think too many people these days have it too easy compared to our parents and grandparents. They would never dream of letting Hitler take over the world and just pray.They would pray but they would get into the action and defeat the enemy.
First off, that is the old covenant.Also, War is a different matter - This post is about people falling in the number one commandment - Love your neighbor as yourself and Do good to those who harm you. If you think your life is more important than another’s you are not believing this. Personally, I fully support our troops and I thank God that we had the American revolution.I think you should also think about this:
As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him." The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God." When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” - John 19:6-11
Jesus did not buy the lie that fear whispers in our ear - He knew that God was in control. like I said it takes an amazing type of faith to live this out - the kind the men of the Bible had. :bible: