God and Guns: Your Biblical Right to Self-Defense, by J.B.

 Print This Post Email This Post Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit Google LinkedIn LinkedIn

You have a biblical right to self-defense. In a life and death situation, you should know that God says it’s okay. This can prove extremely difficult for Christian believers that respect life so much that they don’t want to take it, even when it means it’s necessary to preserve it.

The Natural Right to Self Defense

Boiled down to its simplest level, every creature on the planet has the natural right to use whatever means necessary to defend itself. Life feeds on life. Nature is brutal and doesn’t show mercy. Wolves eat their larger prey hind end first while the animal cries out for help. Are we to tell the buck being chased by wolves that it cannot turn on its attackers and gore them? Why then cannot we extend this simple logic to humans? Humans dress it up nicely in morality codes that can and do change. But at its simplest level every organism has a natural right to defend its life by any means necessary.

Libertarians

Libertarians have something good to say on the matter in the non-aggression principle.  “Do not aggress against others”. We should live and let live and not take what is not ours. Nor should we compel others by force, for they have every right to defend themselves. This is similar to the biblical truths laid out by Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself”. In other words, “Do unto others as you would have done to you…He that loveth another has fulfilled the law.” This includes His teachings on turning the other cheek and being forgiving.

If all people were to do this, we wouldn’t have to read an article on how God says it’s okay to defend the innocent from the wicked, even with lethal force. Striving with a man who has done you harm is allowed; striving with a man who has not is not, according to Proverbs 3:30. Some would define this as God’s most basic morality.The Bible goes beyond the natural right to defend yourself and conveys a moral right to do so. Martin Luther even argued it was an obligation. By not acting to save a life, you are just as guilty as if taking it. There are numerous examples that can give comfort and encouragement to the kind souls who have either made up their mind not to use self-defense or to use it but wrestle with its justification.

Soldiers

Let’s start with soldiers. Soldier are highly respected throughout the scriptures and it is a consistent biblical worldview. God called on Israel’s citizen to be soldiers on numerous occasions to defend their people, property, and land. Even in the first book of the Bible– Genesis– Abraham rallied trained men to save his kidnapped nephew–Lot, and it was credited to Abraham’s righteousness to this very day. He exercised the principal of self-defense, and God rewarded him for it (Genesis 14:18-20).

Abraham

Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, and Hebrews tells us that Jesus Christ is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1-28). When soldiers asked Jesus what they should do, he didn’t tell them to quit.. He told them to do no malicious violence (Luke 3:14). The imagery of the soldier abounds, such as when the apostle Paul refers to Christian workers as “fellow soldiers” (Philippians 2:25). Also when he encourages believers to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). This  includes a breastplate, helmet, sword, shield, and more. Jesus even said that a Roman centurion had more faith (in Jesus and how stuff works) than all in Israel. A soldier by definition preserves life by taking life, if necessary. Why would God provide guidance and praise the soldier so highly if He did not approve (even when done right by human standards)?

How might the justified soldiering apply to the survivalist/prepper? It includes concepts such as discipline, skill, order, resourcefulness, and preparedness. It also conveys skill in arms to “best” an aggressor. Romans 13 teaches submission to good governments. The government’s instruments (cops, soldiers, weapons) are ordained by God to not bear the sword in vain. They are to be a minister of God, and to execute wrath upon those that would do evil. Interestingly enough, in the American republic, the highest law of the land (the U.S. Constitution) expressly states that each person has the right to keep and bear arms without any infringement and additionally that citizen militias are necessary, expected, and welcomed. American Christians, must realize they live under a government that recognizes the right to self-defense. This fact alone should prove the merit of self-defense with America’s Christians.

Nehemiah

Let us consider the amazing story of Nehemiah in the Bible. Israelites get permission to rebuild Jerusalem with Nehemiah at the helm. These were civilians picking up the pieces of a city long laid waste by war and neglect. However, these were not soldiers; they were civilians. Even so, they took positions by families around the wall as they rebuilt it (Nehemiah 4:13). They did so with swords, spears, and bows. They did what was right and good, and they defended their brothers, sons, daughters, wives, and houses. Also, they carried their self-defense tools with them while they did their work (Nehemiah 4:17).

Esther

The book of Esther also shows how God provides His protection for His people by the king’s decree because of Esther/Hadassah’s influence. (She was his Jewish wife.) Esther 8:11-12 notes the king’s permission for the Jews in every city to gather together and protect their lives. They were to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the forces of any people or province that would assault them. The point to be made is this: People who are attacked have every right to use self-defense, regardless of their vocation.

Psalms

Psalms tells us to defend the weak and the fatherless. We are to uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed, to rescue the weak and needy. We are to deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:3-4). Ezekiel tells us to be watchmen. We are obligated to tell if we are watchment.The blood of the victims will be on our hands otherwise. This is a great verse for a survivalist/prepper. You can apply this verse literally or metaphorically. If the alarm is raised and people don’t heed it, it’s not the watchmen’s fault. God has enormously strong adherence to justice, because He is a perfect God.

Violence Must Be Justified

If a man would shed another man’s blood, it must be justified. Such as in the case of a thief breaking into a house to do violence (Exodus 22:2-3). It makes perfect sense. We must operate in love, and love includes proportionate punishment.  God Himself provided ways for mercy through His grace. These included cities of refuge for those who accidentally shed blood and also for propitiation for sins (John 3:16). It is important to remember that killing should never be taken lightly, especially in the biblical worldview where a person only gets one life to live and after that there is judgment—no reincarnation or do-overs. God hates hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17).

Even The Disciples Were Expected To Be Armed

It might surprise people that even Jesus had an expectation that his disciples might need self-defense tools– swords, specifically. (All of his disciples but one would be martyred.) See Luke 22:35-39. Also, Jesus allowed the carrying of swords in his presence. That is seen not only in Luke 22:38 but also when Peter cut off the ear of the person seizing Jesus later that night when He was betrayed (Matthew 26:51-56). Though the intent of these verses are debated, it must stand that Jesus told them to get swords and He allowed them (for whatever purpose) at the dinner and prayer. He didn’t want them used wrongly. He scolded Peter for raising swords at that time, because the scripture needed to be fulfilled through Jesus’ capture, trial, and crucifixion. (Luke 22:49-53, Matthew 26:51-56, John 18:10-11).

Jesus Was Not A Pacifist

A pacifist is opposed to violence (especially war) for any purpose. They refuse to bear arms. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and desires that all be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). He is associated with war and weapons as being part of God (John 1:1-5, 10:30). In Revelation, he has a two-edged sword coming from His mouth, likened to the Sword of the Spirit– the Word. It has been said that His peace is so powerful, it is almost violent.

Nothing can possibly stand against it. Jesus has been there since the beginning and will be there until the end (Revelation 22:13), so He is no stranger to violence and self-defense. He lived as an Israelite under Roman rule, and even as He was being kidnapped He stated, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53).

No doubt these could have included some of the same angels sent to intercede on Elisha’s behalf in 2 Kings 6:17. Ironically—or most excellently—even though God strikes the Aramean army looking to capture Elisha with blindness (selective sight) because Elisha asked Him to do so, Elisha prays for their sight to return after delivering them to the king of Israel as a show of might and wonder to stave off their killing. It is believed God used that same angel army to get the Arameans to flee in 2 Kings 7:6. God also used an angel with a fiery sword to strike down Balaam, but his donkey saved his life.

Pushing God’s Patience

Two classic examples are widely known of people pushing God’s patience to the limit that ends in justified violence. Noah’s flood (Genesis 5:32-10:1) is the first. Passover, where the Angel of Death struck down every Egyptian first born human and animal male (Exodus 12:1-2, 6-7, 11-13) is the other. One story not commonly known is about a man, Phinehas or Phineas, whose line was eternally blessed with a “covenant of peace” for spearing a couple mid-coitus. The couple defied God’s commands and had sex in front of everyone at the tent of meeting. “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal.” (Numbers 25:11).

Self-Defense Tools

The scripture never discourages having self-defense tools. The condition of the slave throughout history is that slaves could not be armed; only free men could. This is a very profound realization. The Israelites went up armed out of the Land of Egypt once they got past their ignorance of self-defense and just cause (Exodus 13:18). They were disarmed under the Philistines, who wouldn’t permit the Israelites to be armed (1 Samuel 13:19-22). (We know this region today by the Roman designation–Palestine–which is meant to be an insult to Jews.) Two of the Bible’s great and faithful warriors are Joshua and David. King David had nearly immeasurable experience with war and hardship. However, he was a man after God’s own heart, and God blessed him for it.

David

David tells us, “Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and fingers to fight” (Psalm 144:1). Don’t forget that as a youth, David used self-defense tools against predators of mere sheep—let alone humans—and even slew the mighty Philistine Goliath with them.

Solomon

Solomon, who was the wisest of all men tells us that, “Oppression makes a wise man mad.” (Ecclesiastes 7:7). To submit to wicked men and institutions who deny the right to self-defense could be seen as submitting to Satan’s rule. That is idolatry. God commanded government rulers, officials, and people to, “Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.” (Jeremiah 22:3). Any person or group that denies the right to self-defense are servants  to those they must get permission from. “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” (Proverbs 12:24).

Protect The Weak

God reminds people again and again in scripture to care for those less fortunate, the oppressed, to protect what is ours and God’s (including our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit). The Ten Commandments lay out love for God and humans, including codifying morality and private property rights (Exodus 20) and demand that we care. We must remember to be righteous, to be virtuous, to be just, and to be reasonable in our exercise of the natural and moral right of self-defense. A person could even make the well-thought out and self-aware choice that they are mentally or physically or ethically incapable of self-defense against people. However, it must never be said we do not have that right in God’s eyes—just that we shouldn’t ever have to, if we all loved one another.

Be mindful of what force will run amok as society decays, and what force loves us so much as to ordain the instruments of our protection.

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

This has been another entry for Round 54 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,100+ worth of prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value),
  2. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795,
  3. DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hardcase to go with your own AR lower. It will allow any standard AR type rifle to have quick change barrel which can be assembled in less then 1 minute without the use of any tools and a compact carry capability in a hard case or 3-day pack (an $1,100 value),
  4. Gun Mag Warehouseis providing 30 DMPS AR-15 .223/5.56 30 Round Gray Mil Spec w/ Magpul Follower Magazines (a value of $448.95) and a Gun Mag Warehouse T-Shirt. An equivalent prize will be awarded for residents in states with magazine restrictions.
  5. Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  6. A $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear,
  7. A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value),
  8. A $300 gift certificate from Freeze Dry Guy,
  9. A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo,
  10. A roll of $10 face value in pre-1965 U.S. 90% silver quarters, courtesy of GoldAndSilverOnline.com, (currently valued at around $180 postpaid),
  11. Both VPN tunnel and DigitalSafe annual subscriptions from Privacy Abroad (a combined value of $195),
  12. KellyKettleUSA.com is donating both an AquaBrick water filtration kit and a Stainless Medium Scout Kelly Kettle Complete Kit with a combined retail value of $304,
  13. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $300 gift certificate.

Second Prize:

  1. A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training, which have a combined retail value of $589,
  2. A FloJak EarthStraw “Code Red” 100-foot well pump system (a $500 value), courtesy of FloJak.com,
  3. Acorn Supplies is donating a Deluxe Food Storage Survival Kit with a retail value of $350,
  4. The Ark Instituteis donating a non-GMO, non-hybrid vegetable seed package–enough for two families of four, seed storage materials, a CD-ROM of Geri Guidetti’s book “Build Your Ark! How to Prepare for Self Reliance in Uncertain Times”, and two bottles of Potassium Iodate– a $325 retail value,
  5. $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers with coupon code SVB10P),
  6. A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials,
  7. Twenty Five books, of the winners choice, of any books published by PrepperPress.com (a $270 value),
  8. Two cases of meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value),
  9. TexasgiBrass.com is providing a $150 gift certificate,
  10. Organized Prepper is providing a $500 gift certificate, and
  11. RepackBoxis providing a $300 gift certificate to their site.

Third Prize:

  1. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  2. A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard, and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206,
  3. Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy (a $185 retail value),
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security,
  5. Mayflower Trading is donating a $200 gift certificate for homesteading appliances,
  6. Ambra Le Roy Medical Products in North Carolina is donating a bundle of their traditional wound care and first aid supplies, with a value of $208, and
  7. APEX Gun Parts is donating a $250 purchase credit, and
  8. SurvivalBased.com is donating a $500 gift certificate to their store.
  9. Montie Gearis donating a Y-Shot Slingshot and a Locking Rifle Rack. (a $379 value).

Round 54 ends on September 30st, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.