Christianity and Self Defense.

Beginning Blessing: 

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and the Messiah Jesus, our Lord 2 Timothy 1:2

Opening Scripture: 

God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love and self-discipline 2 Timothy 1:7

For everything there is a season,a right time for every intention under heaven — a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1,8

Introduction: 

The Scripture as a whole, the Bible so to say, does not teach a doctrine of self defense. This raises the question of what Christians ought to do in situations where, clearly, they have the natural right to defend themselves. When could a Christian legitimately act in self defense and not violate conscience and the gospel? There is also the question of how can, or should, believers defend themselves?

These questions do not have easy answers. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find consensus among the people of God on questions. The points raised are also topics not commonly addressed during services. When they do come up, it tends to be during a major crisis like persecution, terrorism, etc. 

The reasons I have stated are why I make an attempt to tackle topic. My approach would be to bring verses that can help shed light on answers. They will be situations in the Bible where men of God were confronted with similar issues and how they acted. From these, you may deduce principles for dealing with your own situation. I will not be offering any answer. Know, though, that the Holy Ghost is able to guide you in your decisions whenever you have to deal with question. 

Case 1: Abraham went to war to recover his captured nephew, Lot.

See Genesis 14:1-21 for the full account. 

"When Abraham heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, who had been born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night he and his servants divided his forces against them, then attacked and pursued them all the way to Hovah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his nephew Lot with his goods, together with the women and the other people (Genesis 14:14-16)."

Also look up 1 Samuel 30:1-20 where David was confronted with a similar situation and also responded similarly.

Note 1: The Scripture refers to Abraham as the father of all Christians (What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? Romans 4:1

Note 2: David is referred to as a father of Jesus Christ (32 He will be great, he will be called Son of Ha‘Elyon Adonai (The Highest), God, will give him the throne of his forefather David Luke 1:32

Case 2: Isaac kept giving up what was rightly his to keep the peace.

"Isaac's servants dug in the valley and uncovered a spring of running water. 20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, claiming, “That water is ours!” So he called the well ‘Esek [quarrel], because they quarreled with him. 21 They dug another well and quarreled over that one too. So he called it Sitnah [enmity]. 22 He went away from there and dug another well, and over that one they didn’t quarrel. So he called it Rechovot [wide open spaces] and said, “Because now Adonai has made room for us, and we will be productive in the land" Genesis 26: 19-22

Note: Isaac is the son of Abraham through whom the blessing of Jesus Christ was to reach all people ("12 But God said to Abraham, “Don’t be distressed because of the boy and your slave-girl. Listen to everything Sarah says to you, because it is your descendants through Isaac who will be counted.") Genesis 21:12 

Case 3: Moses on robbery, vandalism, etc.

(2) “If a thief caught in the act of breaking in is beaten to death, it is not murder; 2 (3) unless it happens after sunrise, in which case it is murder. A thief must make restitution; so if he has nothing, he himself is to be sold to make good the loss from the theft. 3 (4) If what he stole is found alive in his possession, he is to pay double, no matter whether it is an ox, a donkey or a sheep.

(iii) 4 (5) “If a person causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his animal loose to graze in someone else’s field, he is to make restitution from the best produce of his own field and vineyard.

5 (6) “If a fire is started and spreads to thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain or a field is destroyed, the person who lit it must make restitution. Exodus 22:1-6

Note: Moses is the person who brought the Old (Jewish) Testament, the precursor to the New Testament, (For the Torah (Law) was given through Moses. John 1:17

Case 4: A misunderstood instruction

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. Mathew 5:38-39

Note: The scripture forbids revenge. We must never retaliate. In the same breath, there is not a scripture that speaks against self-defense or offensive action against threats except in cases of persecution. This is a difficult subject as far as trying to spell out right responses to threats. In all cases, we should look to the cases cited and others as well plus prayers for guidance.

Case 5: Jesus and his righteous violence.

12 Jesus  entered the Temple grounds and drove out those who were doing business there, both the merchants and their customers. He upset the desks of the money-changers and knocked over the benches of those who were selling pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It has been written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’[e] But you are making it into a den of robbers!”[f] Mathew 21:12-13

Note: Jesus is the giver of the Gospel which we follow (For the Torah was given through Moses; grace and truth (the gospel, the New Testament) came through Jesus the Messiah. John 1:17

Case 6: Jesus' parable of the strong man.

29 Or again, how can someone break into a strong man’s house and make off with his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? After that he can ransack his house. Mathew 12:29

Note: You can also read above scripture in a reverse manner to mean if you are strong, you will deter or overpower the thief and prevent him from robbing you.

Doxology

20 Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the Messianic Community (church) and in the Messiah Jesus from generation to generation forever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21