SELF DEFENSE
God does allow and encourage self-defense.
If we did things God's way we would not have crime because criminals would have been punished severely. However, Christ does tells us to obey the laws of our country ; He will bring things back to order upon His return.
He does expect you though to protect your family if someone is trying to hurt you.
Exodus 22:2 If a thief be found breaking up (caught up), and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF SOMEONE BRAKES INTO YOUR HOME AND HE DIES, YOU ARE NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE.
22:3 (If 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.
22:4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep ; he shall restore double.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF HE SURVIVES, HE SHOULD PAY DOUBLE OF WHAT HE STOLE.
I Samuel 13:19 Now there was no smith (a metal worker) found throughout all the land of Israel : for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears :"
THE ISRAELITES WERE NOT PREPARED FOR WAR.
13:20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter (a ploughshare), and his axe, and his mattock (a kind of pickaxe, with broad instead of pointed ends).
13:21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
13:22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the People that were with Saul and Jonathan : but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
ISRAEL WAS DISARMED.
THE POINT IS, GOD EXPECTS YOU TO PROTECT YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR FAMILY.
HOWEVER, VEGEANCE AND SELF DEFENSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath : for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine ; I will repay, saith the LORD."
QUOTED FROM DEUT. 32:35.
Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the sword in vain : for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
AND AGAIN, SELF DEFENSE AND VENGEANCE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
13:6 For this cause pay you tribute (taxes) also : for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
AS LONG AS YOU ARE PAYING YOUR TAXES YOU ARE A CITIZEN.
OBEY THE LAWS OF THE LAND AS WELL AS GOD'S LAWS.
FOR EXAMPLE : GOD DEMANDS THE DEATH PENALTY, TO BE EXECUTED BY THE NEXT OF KIN. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE LAW OF THE LAND, THEREFORE HE WANTS YOU TO OBEY YOUR LAWS.
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT JUDGES WERE APPOINTED TO PUNISH THOSE WHO HURT PEOPLE ; IT STILL PRACTICED TODAY.
Luke 22:35 And He said unto them, "When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything ?' And they said, "Nothing."
GOD TAKES CARE OF HIS OWN.
22:36 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.
22:37 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."
THE PROPHESY HAD TO BE FULFILLED.
QUOTED FROM ISAIAH 53:12.
22:38 And they said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords." And He said unto them, "It is enough."
CHRIST ENCOURAGES SELF-DEFENSE.
I Timothy 5:8 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.
IF ANYONE DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILY (PROTECTION INCLUDED), IS WORSE THAN AN INFIDEL (UNBELIEVER).
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy : and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
CHRIST HAS GIVEN US POWER OF ALL EVIL.
Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods, are in peace.
A MAN TAKES CARE OF HIS HOME.
11:22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
JESUS IS STRONGER.
Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, Which teacheth my hands to war, And my fingers to fight : My goodness, and my fortress ; My high tower, and my deliverer ; My shield, and He in Whom I trust ; Who subdueth my People under me.
Psalms 18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
MAKE A NOTE OF PSALMS 35.
NOTE : Christians are not second class citizens. Christ has given us authority of all evil, and He expects us to defend our country and our home.
"Turning the other cheek", means if a brother (another Christian) comes and "slaps" you because you offended him, you turn the other cheek, but if someone is trying to cause you harm, you defend yourself.
LEARN HOW TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD.
The disciples carried swords to defend themselves ; Christ demanded it (Luke 22:35-38).
WE SUPPOSE TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY (PSALMS 144 = THE SOLDIER'S PRAYER)AND OUR FAMILIES.
Protect your family, but always use common sense, and obey the laws of your land.
If we obeyed God's laws, crime would cease to exist.
Deuteronomy 19:11 But if any man hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities :
THESE CITIES WERE MADE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ACCIDENTLY KILLED SOMEONE, SO A LOVED ONE (FROM THE PERSON THEY KILLED)WOULDN'T HARM THEM ; THE DEATH PENALTY IS ONLY FOR PREMEDITATED MURDER.
19:12 Then the elders (they were the government at that time) of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood (a family member ; the next of kin of the deceased), that he may die.
THE SAME GOES FOR RAPISTS (DEUT. 22:5).
19:13 Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.'
THIS IS HOW YOU HANDLE A MURDERER.
GOD DOES NOT LIKE FALSE WITNESSES EITHER.
19:16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong ;
19:17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days ;
19:18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition : and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother ;
19:19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother : so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
19:20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF WE ABIDE BY GOD'S LAWS, THERE WOULD BE NO CRIME.
GOD BLESS
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