Self-Defense
Copyright © July 24, 2006
by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.
All Rights Reserved.
Jesus said, "If someone slaps you, turn unto him the other cheek."
Do not let the insult lead to violence - respond instead by being meek.
Jesus also said, "When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another."
Paul descended the Damascus wall with the help of a Christian brother.
Peter fled Jerusalem after being freed from prison by an Angel of grace.
After Stephen was stoned, many Christians had to flee to a safer place.
Jesus also said, "If you don't have one, sell your coat and buy a sword."
Several hours later Jesus said to Peter when he tried to defend his Lord,
"Put your sword away. He who draws the sword will die by violence."
Do not use your sword to attack, but keep it in reserve for self-defense.
Abraham took the men of his household whom he had trained and
he rescued his captured nephew Lot from an army invading the land.
When Nehemiah supervised the rebuilding of the wall at Jerusalem,
all the workers either wore a sword or they kept one beside them.
"You shall not murder" God commanded from the top of mount Sinai.
It is not murder if a person defends himself and his attacker does die.
God explained, "If a thief breaks in at night and he is killed by another,
the defender of the home is innocent and he is not guilty of murder."
In summary, Jesus said, Be meek but carry a weapon for self-defense.
If you see danger headed your way, then flee to avoid its consequence.
If you are attacked and it is not possible to retreat to a place of safety,
then show courage and defend your life and the lives of your family.
Also remember that Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for them,"
and whenever possible tell others about Jesus, the only way to heaven.
Reference Scripture Verses
Meekness and Love:
Romans 12:18-19 - If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
Matthew 5:38-45 - "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who hate you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven,
Flee persecution:
Matthew 10:23 - When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.
Paul flees Damascus:
2 Corinthians 11:32-33 - In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Peter flees Jerusalem:
Acts 12:5-10 - So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
Acts 12:16-17 - But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place.
Christians flee Jerusalem:
Acts 7:59 to 8:4 - While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Jesus recommends a Sword over a coat:
Luke 22:36-38 - 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. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
A Sword is for Self-Defense:
John 18:10-11 - Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
Matthew 26:50-54 - Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
Abram rescues his nephew, Lot:
Genesis 14: 11-16 - The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.
God's People carry a Sword for Self-defense:
Nehemiah 4:16-18 - From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
Murder:
Exodus 20:13 - You shall not murder.
Self-Defense is NOT Murder:
Exodus 22:2-3 - If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed.
Strength and Courage:
Proverbs 24:10-11 - If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
Grandpappy's e-mail address is: RobertWayneAtkins@hotmail.com