What are your thoughts on christians owning guns and using for self defense?
I have my opinions but i want to see yours , based in Scriptures of course.?
Discussion
117 comments
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I’ll definitely write a post with scriptural backing later, but I figured I’d chime in that if you’re convicted to not do it, don’t do it. Personally I am about to get a carry gun though ?
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I mean one of the disciples had a sword when walking with Jesus in the garden before he was taken….
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I carry every day-
Luke 22:36
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. -
I’ve got two ar-15’s, two shotguns, three pistols and plenty of ammo. I have 100% faith and trust in God but my family is very important to me and I’m always carrying.
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I wonder if there are any Christians in the military or police
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Self-control is the name of the game. It’s what’s in the heart of the one carrying the gun, not the gun itself.
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I am currently shopping for one. I have a family to protect. Do I pray to use it? No. Will I use it if my family is in danger? Darn tootin’!!!
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Well, there was a protest down the street from my house. I was bbq’ing and had my glock handy.
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God does not expect you to stand there and let someone murder you.
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What is your opinion??
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My body is a temple. My house protects it. Stay away, if you mean harm. Get shot, if you don’t.
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As a Reverend and Firearms Instructor I support the use of Firearms for recreation, hunting and self defense
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I am a non-resistant Christian. So, I do not own a firearm for self defense. Most will disagree and i am ok with that.
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Jesus said to sell your clothes and buy a weapon
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Peter was obviously carrying sword after the last supper in the garden when Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter drew his sword and cut the ear off of the Roman centurian. Back then carrying a sword sharp enough to cut off an ear would be like carrying a gun for protection.
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A Catholic Priest told me that life was a gift from God and that to refuse to defend it was doing an injustice to that gift.
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I wonder if this is more a cultural issue than a spiritual one. I am Canadian and grew up in a family where guns are looked down upon. I do know some who have rifles for hunting, but even that is not something people in my family do. However, I have also never been a victim of violence and have never experienced riots or violent crime. I can see why some would choose to carry a gun, but in my case it seems very foreign.
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Well I am a Christian and I own a number of guns, need I say more and besides the Bible never mentions it. Oh by the way is also carry a hand gun wherever I go.
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Self defense. Even animals protect themselves and their young.
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A gun is a tool, it would suck to be stuck in the mountains and your truck doesn’t have 4wd. It would be terrible to try to build a house without a hammer or a drill. Bad people do bad things, you have yourself, family, and neighbors to protect.
But still, you don’t have to have a gun if you don’t want one. It’s not a sin to own one, it’s not a sin to not own one.
Like Mark Wilson said up above about the book of Luke.
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In our country, where mayors might allow violence, we need to be able to protect ourselves.
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“sell your cloak and buy a sword”
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As per me I have not seen it in my life so there is no question of owning it, However if someone who is living in threat can have it may be ,but if ur a believer u will not use it
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There’s nothing biblical against self defense
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Take lessons to take gun disciplines from a qualified gun instructor.
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Love my guns. Went to an Black Lives Matter protest yesterday to show them off. #BlackRiflesMatter
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Tell your opinion first
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Matt: 26:52 “Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
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Have people not read the Old Testament of how God took care of His people Isreal? Many thousands died in Him protecting, gaining the land they were to inherit and serving false gods.
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Deterant is a thing, as well as proper training and aim.
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I always have my concealed carry on me when in the city.
I carry much larger caliber when in the woods.
My biggest concern is that someone could be in harms way and I could not help.
Active shooter etc.
I will protect my family.
I pray I will never be in that position. -
what was the equivalent to the gun in Jesus day… a sword maybe?… Peter carried a sword, hence cutting of the soldiers ear… i can only assume he had with him his whole journey with Jesus… i’m a licensed gun toting Christian
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While I do’t believe a life is less valuable than “stuff”, I do believe my family is a stewardship. And persecution for your witness is one thing. Humans acting like animals, i.e. brute beasts, to harm you or your family is another.
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I believe in defending myself. Jesus said “if you don’t have a sword, sell your tunic and buy one”
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I am a born again Christian and a gun owner. Anyone comes against my property or my family beware
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I own about 30 of em. Try hurting my family I’ll use at least two of em on you
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He told the disciples to buy a weapon. Self defense was allowed in the Bible.
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I have nothing against self defense but I am concerned when Christians speak more passionately about their rifles than they do about the value of human life. It almost seem as if persons want a golden opportunity to use their weapon without having a second thought. Have we forgotten the 6th commandment?
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Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
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my opinion” a time for war and a time peace” .
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“There is a time and a season for all things under heaven…there is a time to kill, and a time to mourn… A time for war and a time for peace”
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Gun owners here
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Lock and load.
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Scripture says that a man that does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel and that not only talks about financial and spiritual and emotional, but it’s also talking about safety. So it’s absolutely fine it’s absolutely Godly to protect your family if someone’s coming to harm them.
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Luke 22:36-38
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
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Turn the cheek principle:
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I know that, but somehow it does not seem to fit with Jesus?
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Live by the sword/die by the sword. If you live in Christ, then having any weapon becomes a tool and nothing more. You protect your family and try not to harm anyone.
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Jesus is a 2A supporter and He expects His followers to defend themselves. Jesus said…
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I am an Anabaptist which if you know are pacifists but lately i have been re-thinking that
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Do not resist an evil person, pray those who persecute you, and turn the other cheek. Jesus did it. Martin Luther King Jr did it. We can do it. The Lord’s way produces results that reverberate into eternity
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Men ought to defend their families.
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The Bible gives us clear options for self defense if our life is in danger
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Read Salm 91 with all your heart ,God is with you he will not let any one harm you ,so I don’t believe in guns and there is no need for self defense like violently ,of course you might be verbally attacked but the darkness can not touch you ,only try to make you slip and take advantage of your anger of certain situations . I hope you can understand me
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Perfectly fine. Turning the check is about forgiveness and giving people chances, rather than seeking vengeance. It is NOT about accepting abuse.
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I think it’s a cultural thing. If you’re from the states you’re most likely to be cool with it.
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But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Tim 5:8
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As a father and husband, it is my role to protect my family. If someone breaks in and threatens them, I have no qualms about my God given rights to defend myself.
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Great for a HolyWar
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Jesus told his disciples to sell their cloaks and buy a sword.
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Concerning this matter scripture doesn’t say much. What I see, is what it doesn’t say. The Bible doesn’t call us to be door mats. If someone wants to rape my wife, I’n not expected to offer my daughter. God has given you your family into your hands to protect them. And if I sin by hurting my Neighbour, Christ has my back on that!
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Guess this is me
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King David, Gideon were righteous warriors. We have a right to defend our lives and property. Obey the ” Law of the Land.
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If you need a sword, sell your tunic and buy one.
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He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:36-38 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.22.36-38.ESV. I believe we need tools to protect ourselves to a reasonable extent i dont need a full Arsenal for myself but for me my wife and my family. But that is left to the convictions from the Holy Spirit. -
And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.” 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. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
Luke 22:35-38 -
Yes we (believers) can own guns. God sent believers into war (David slew goliath with a stone, not a conventional weapon, but 1 of opportunity). What about Gideon who was a COWARD and God even met Gideon on HIS (Gideons) terms after Gideon kept “moving the goal posts”? Does this answer the question about weapons? Not technically, but it definitely doesn’t negate them either.
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” Three shall be the number of the counting. Five is right out.”..oh wait.. wrong script.
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Ex.22:2If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
3If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. -
WHAT DOES THE COMMANDMENT really SAY; Thou shall not KILL OR Thou shall not MURDER ……………………………………………………………….I Think You can own a gun and not be a murderer
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It can’t be based on scripture. When scripture was finally written and the canon was drawn, guns were yet not invented. But being discerning is written into scripture…
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There are NO scriptures relating to the use of guns !
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The 6th commandment is about Murder, it doesn’t say Kill… Murder and Killing are different- killing is permissible if you are protecting the innocent ?
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God didn’t condemn the use of rocks after Cain and Abel. Why would there be a restriction on guns?
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Its lack of trust in God.
Whether your gun is for your protection, isnt God able to do that? Or your gun is for aggresive act or revenge, God is God of justice. Aint God able to serve you justice?
And only God has the right for judgement.
We are encourage to not take revenge because only God is rightful for that… For many and everything.Matthew 26:52
Does not forbid having a sword but encourages us to not have it and use against others specially revenge. Anyone who has a weapon meant to hurt or kill. What other purpose a weapon do?
Does God teach us to hurt or love one another. -
Guns didn’t exist, so the equivalent would be swords (the dominant “common” weapon) and bows (ranged, like guns). The Bible speaks highly of these weapons, even describing the Bible as a sword. Jesus also told His disciples “let he who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one”. His disciples already had two swords with them.
That being said, how they are used matters. We aren’t called to fight a war to establish a theocracy, and vigilante “justice” is a DEFINITE no no, but self defence is undoubtedly permissible. I’ve seen the Exodus verse about thieves cited in this thread already, so I won’t bother, but there’s also the conclusion of Esther. The Jews were legally allowed to defend themselves from persecution.
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Apostle Peter was not prohibited by Christ owning a sword. Did Peter cut the ear of the centurion during His arrest? And he was not rebuked for having a sword but for the improper use of it and He rather healed the centurion. So it means we can have guns for protection.
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Like 22:35-38 shows Jesus telling His disciples to carry a money bag and IF THEY DON’T HAVE A SWORD, TO BUY ONE. Then they tell they they have two swords to carry and Jesus says 2 would be enough. So just like you wear a seatbelt in your car and don’t test God, so carrying a weapon for protection, like we’ve so seen in the videos of stopping church shooters, is fine. Nothing wrong with it. Luke 22 shines great light into this subject. Will you have the strength to admit it….
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Self defence is necessary but you must seek first for the LORD’S guide. Failure to do so you are reliable to fail woefully as you can read: Psalms 127:1
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.Lamentations 4:17
As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.
Again here we go:Luke 22:35-40 (KJV) And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. -
There be no greater weapon than the Holy Blood of the Lamb, and the Holy Word of the Living God to use against spiritual enemies. As for weapons, one can have them, but God forbid that anyone should kill with it, self-defense does not mean you have to kill someone, but if needed to defend one or another’s well-being – especially when you do not know whether they are a saved soul or not, can be utilized to preserve life, not end it. I like Edward Alhassan’s scriptural answers too. (Y)
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Are you going to sit there and not defend your family from someone who is violating your home as a threat that may endanger them? Of course you will defend them as any real man should. You sacrifice yourself to protect your family. You care not for your life, you do what you have to do to protect them. ANYTHING.
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Anyone who doesn’t want Guns send them my way.
-Sincerely a 2nd Amendment Believer *Pew,Pew* ?
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OMG.. still didn’t catch up what Jesus taught.?
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Nothing wrong with owning guns to protect yourself or family
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To all you “just trust in God” people. Do you go to the doctor? Do you wear a blindfold when driving? Would you defend your family if they were attacked? Would you defend an innocent if they were attacked? Guns are a tool of defense in the hands of a believer. Defending your loved ones or the innocent is not murder. Murder is murder.
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Weapon of defense and defense ony.
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The current laws are derived from those in scripture. If a man break into your home and you smite him and he die it shall not be required that you die. Exo_22:2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
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Interesting how when talking about the 2nd amendment, Christians abandon scripture and go straight to opinion. Its because Jesus is very clear.
“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”
Matthew 26:52 “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.”
Luke 6:27-29 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”
Romans 12:19-20 -
Locked and loaded.
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And if people stopped me on the highway and try to pull me out of my car they getting run over
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Everyone wants specific scripture for this but just like the doctrine of the Trinity, it’s inferred in a lot of cases
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While Jesus was with his apostles He sent them out with nothing, in Luke 22:36-38 He tells them to buy a sword for protection.
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Jesus says get a sword sure, but he forbids its usage to kill or harm. i don’t think it is needed. perhaps it is a deter-ant. live by the sword die by the sword.
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Yes. Si. OUI.Da.
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Isn’t the Israelites armed with sword?
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It’s ok to arm and defend yourself as a follower of Jesus
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Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Proverbs 24:11-12Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Psalms 82:4Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
Psalms 144:1“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.
Luke 11:21 -
Christ never rebuked the centurion
For being a centurion -
The nation of Israel defended itself against those who wished it harmed. Jesus, Himself, came to defend us against Satan and the harm he wants to cause us, both here and in the life to come. God tells us we can’t murder, like David murdered Uriah so he could have Bathsheba. There is nothing in scripture which prohibits self defense. Luke 11 talks about the strong man defending his home and when he does so, his goods are safe. God doesn’t call us to be doormats.
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Luke 24:36He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
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For me, I’m about to get another handgun for home defense.
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Perfectly fine..self defense and defense of fam…is basic
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I struggle with this too. My inclination is to say, of course you can blow someone away if they break into your home, but there is no scripture to back that up. I would never personally condemn someone for defending their family or their life.
So what scripture can we use to judge this issue? God’s word says a lot on the topic of killing and revenge; here’s a few things:
Vengeance is mine says the Lord and Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword come immediately to mind. Revenge killing is out (most people don’t realize that “an eye for an eye” was to ensure that the punishments did not exceed the crime – for example, cutting off a hand for stealing bread would be a definite no to God), but it doesn’t says that protecting yourself is completely out.
The sixth commandment says you may not kill, but that truly implies murder. Jesus says if you have murder in your heart, you’ve already committed that sin too, so having murder in your heart is definitely bad.
Proverbs 6 gives us the seven things that are an abomination to God, of which shedding of innocent blood is one (so is pride and lying).
If someone strikes you you’re to offer the other cheek, which “implies” not defending yourself against an attacker.
You are to forgive 70×7 times, so it’s clear it should never be a lack of forgiveness.
However, God’s word also says that there is no greater love than when someone lays down their life for another, which often involves guns (Marines, soldiers, sheriffs, police).
The gun itself is just a tool like any other tool (and other tools can kill too). This may be a heart issue rather than one of the evil of the gun that most people perceive it to be. It may be the “intent” of the person with the Gun, and only God can judge the heart.
I’m sure this all was as clear as mud, but I think it may be a heart issue rather than a gun issue.
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1st Law of the TORAH says you should LOVE God fully by LOVING your neighbor as yourself .If A man does not work , he may not eat. A Gum does not work. It forces .When God designed POlice He did it for our protection. If we pull a gun on our own we might be the opressor, so , carry a swordGun weapon, in the hands of your friend the Police. Make sure you get to know them in your area ,becasue they can save your life in a RIOT. Never buy a firearm. THose (singular tense,not plural police forces)who lives by his sword ,shall die by his sword. Get a tazer till police arrive
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I have a can of mace and a bat lol
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Your answers are found in this book
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“If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one”
-Jesus Christ-We have the God given right to protect our selves. All through scripture God’s people were armed and fought for what was theirs.
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jimmy Dickerson. There were no police around then. Seems like you dont understand the TORA very good
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I did some study on this recently and have determined these things:
1. You are allowed to defend yourself, but do not live by the sword (don’t go on the offensive/don’t go looking for a fight.)
2. You are not allowed to seek vegence. Do not retalliate to past events. If you are attacked then you can defend yourself.
3. Violence must be a last resort after all other methods have been expired. Do not escalate the fight.This article helps answer this:
(https://www.gotquestions.org/self-defense.html) -
Luke 11:21 ESV / 301 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe -
See the book “Shooting Back: The Right and Duty of Self-Defense”, by Charl van Wyk. His church was shot up and he took out the killer with his gun, saving lives. It doesn’t glorify God to passively get mowed down by crazies. If some churches have armed security, as well as other businesses and high-profile individuals, and it saves lives, why shouldn’t you also at home if you can, or even out in public if it’s legal in your state?
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It is a freedom for a Christian to choose.
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In America we the people are the government and therefore we the people do not bare the sword in vain.
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