Self Defense

[William H.]

Self Defense is biblically supported. We hear all types of doctrines today. I recently heard one tell a congregation that we are not to defend ourselves with force. These type people are leading people astray and making such followers easy prey for the enemy. When it comes to The WORD we have two basic levels - Physical and Spiritual. 

The Word encourages both Physical (Eze.33:6/...)and Spiritual Defense (Eph.6:10-17/ Ps.91/2 Cor.10:4 ..) against the enemy.

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One common area perverted by the masses is: Matt.5:39 (Lk.6:29) Matt.5:38-39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

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Its important to note that Matt 5 is the beatitudes (The Theme is ministry and how to conduct yourself appropriately.  So while an eye for an eye is lawful that’s not the aim of the Gospel (ministry).

Example: do you share the good news by attending a service of a congregation then while the elder is speaking to his people stand up and say that’s blasphemy and your all in danger of hell fire? I think not and if you do such things expect backlash and accept it as your own edification. Fishers of men. A fisherman knows how to draw interest. Shake the bait from time to time , chum the waters,...

Do not execute your own vengance because someone doesn’t embrace what you would have them know but rather to seek to be in harmony with God's will with such virtues as patience, forgiveness, humbleness, and understanding.

"Evil" here is obviously a mis-translation and should be Hardships (Harm). This hardship is because it would be human nature to lash out on one who Has obviously done you wrong, the context comes to close with Matt.5:44. (the suggested responce should cause the aggressor to rethink his actions)

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Love is the number one virtue of a member of Spiritual Israel, and is to be used with all others including Discernment and Rebuke. Matt.5 in no way was speaking against self defense seeing as the wrong doing had already taken place to strike back wouldn't be moveing towards a postive solution. (Rom.12:17) (Christians are concerned for all but not taught to be doormates for the enemy, tough love is love all the same, and God is known to chastise those he loves)

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Vengeance belongs to The LORD: Ps.94:1/ Rom.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./ 2 Thess.1:8/ (Ps.11:5-7) Judgement is to be carried out according to God's will not mans.

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In Judges 4-5 we are told of a woman (Deborah) that lead Israel into war when no man would. Instead Israel had become so pacifist that worship of other gods was within the gates and violence had infested the area where there was no protection (Judges 5:8). There nothing more the enemy would like than easy targets. It's no secret that within the Tanach (O.T.) we have many examples of God not only with Israel in war but also ordering them into battle for the promised land (Deut. 1:8; 3:27, 28; 9:3-5) according to His will.

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David slew Goliath 1 Sam.17/ 1 Sam.25:13 David knew the importance of self defence for the nation of Israel but we can learn even more from David's life. He served as an example of what not to do as well, cause he gave place to his own misguided feelings when it came to the battle field. (2 Sam.11:14-25) David sets up Uriah's murder because of his own lust. David was given the knowledge that taking personal vengance was wrong 1 Sam.25:33/ 1 Chr.22:8; 28:3/ (Proverbs 3:29-35)/ Tit.1:7 God doesn't only fight with his people in spiritual war! Ps.144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: (Saddly its often the innocent that are killed during war) \

___God's soilders___________ 

* Ps.18:34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. _________________________

* Ps.44:6-7 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. (Walking with The LORD makes all the difference) / 1 Sam. 17:47

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* Neh.4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. (Neh. 4:20)

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* Esther 8:11-12 (Esther 9:1-5) Self defense for Jews

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Matt 26  and Lk 22 show that the disciples were aremed. Who told them to acquire these weapons?

Yeshua (The Christ) did. (Lk.22:36). Afterwards:He told them to sheath their weapons (give "Place" here is sheath (Jn.18:10-11) and not the same term as used in vs.36."Take the sword" on their own accord /Rom.13:4) Matt.26:52-54 (Lk.22:35-39) 52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? (Lk.22:49-53)

The Point is that it was God's will that Christ become the Passover sacrifice and taking a sword to physically fight that would not be embracing God's will but your own. All those who were resorting to their own justice by the sword were embraceing their own demise (*Rev.13:10) rather than redemption from YHVH!

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Throughout The Word we are told Not To Avenge ourselves. That is the difference between Murder and kill causing death by your Own judgement - unless it’s the will of HaShem for you to avenge yourself, then your will aligns with His divine judgement and authority. You would want to be certain that is the case and in Joshua a miracle was given along with a guidance that Israel avenging its self in that event was in fact the will of HaShem.

Matt 5 tells the disciples how to conduct themselves and carring out your own Vengance isnt part of it. There is a big difference between taking vengance and self defense. Anyway,

Matt.5:39 (Lk.6:29) Matt.5:38-39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matt 5:38-39 resist not hardships ("evil"/ harm) cause it would be human nature to strike someone back when they slap you. However if your priority is edification in the name of Yeshua (the ministry) then its more edifying if you look them in the face and allow them to continue in what then obviously becomes seen as senseless violence. In the same area Yeshua says its lawful to strike them back but he is stressing a great cause (that of serving God). Many pervert this passage to claim we arent to protect ourselves which insults any concept of law and order. We have people who would enjoy bringing terror and murder to your family and if you were to just let them do it you are enabling the works of HaSatan. A man that would stand by and allow his family to be murdered is no man. Neh.4(:14) says something i wouldnt have to be told if someone came to harm 1 of my loved ones "fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses". On the spiritual level I hope you acquire The Sword! 

Note the difference in Murder and kill within the Hebrew and Greek scriptures

Ecc.3:1-3 to everything there is a season...........  a time to kill, and a time to heal...... <p>  <p>Captial punishment?/ death penalty? blog- Thou shalt not Murder- Ex.20:13/ Ex.21:14/ Deut.19:11/ Num. 35:16/ to lay in wait and to take personal vengance as to smite with intent to, or to cause death.) Not the same as kill. <p>Rom.12:17-19 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Self Defense is NOT taking personal vengance (wrath). In no way would it please the Father for you to sit back and allow the rape or murder of innocence in His name. That would be like someone taking the living Bread literally and claiming we dont need to go to the grocery store or eat cause God will fill our stomachs. That lack of knowledge would certainly lead to physical death. To live by the sword is not self defence (robbing, murdering,....).

Now if you are of the understanding that The Father changes not and that His word doesnt contradict itself throughout the bible then Compare Joshua 10:13-14 to Rom.12

"And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves ( H#5358/ 341) upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel" ( Joshua 10:13, Hab.3:11, Jasher)

Here in Joshua, its the LORD's will that the Amorites fall and that Israel defend its self. 

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Ex.22:2-3 If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in it is legal to execute him (for his intentions are not good) but not afterwards.

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When it comes to war you should not fight someone elses battles. You had best know in your heart that you are standing according to God's WORD or you shall surely fall. Beware of false peace as well.

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Elijah summoned fire down from heaven upon those who stood against God's WORD (2 Kings 1:10). Daniel was spared in the Lion's den and his friends Shadrach, Meshach. and Abednego in the fiery furnace. If God be with you who can be against you. We aren't to fear those who can kill our physical bodies but rather reverance him who can kill the physical and cause the spiritual to perish (Lk.12:4-5/ Matt.10:28)/ (Matt.16:25/ Mk.8:35/ Lk.9:24/ Lk.17:33/ Jn.12:25)/ (Rev.6:10-11)/ . Lk.6:27-30 (Proverbs 1:16/ Rom.3:15) Rev.1:16;2:16; 19:15

Relative blogs that i suggest  

Showing Love

http://friendsnchrist.ning.com/profiles/blogs/showing-love-christia...;

The Death Penalty http://friendsnchrist.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-death-penalty

[William H.]

Ecc.3 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

[William H.]

Ps.144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight

[His_Will]

Review: Yes we are entitled to self defense and yet at the same time knowing and putting G-d's will first in relation to this. Above in the blog post i documented that  the concept of murder (ratsach / root: (ratson) is: to lay in wait to carry out YOUR own vengeance as to cause anothers death. Slay (nakah) and or kill (shachat ) is a different context and often includes the will of G-D (in self defense, and sacrifice).

As I commented that self defense is not wrong I also feel the need to put it in proper perspective seeing as we seek the will of G-D first and its easy for man to cloud the lines between self defense and taking our own vengance. Matt.5:44 " But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you". Rom.12:19-20 "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." / Heb.12:1-4 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Blessings be with the martyrs). Many have faced their own execution without fighting it. Many in these last moments embrace Pace with G-D over self defense (according to the will of G-d and even forgiving their murderers / forgive them for they know not what they do/ Stephen the 1st "Christian" martyr/ Christ). 

My favorite verse on self defense isnt rooted so much in "SELF defense" but rather defending others. Neh.4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and **fight *for *your *brethren, your *sons, and your *daughters, your *wives, and your *houses. (G-D fights with and for us!)

During the first advent Christ came specifically to do the will of G-D. Not to condemn but to redeem. G-D often delivered (Defended) him from his enemies until the time came that G-d's will allowed for the enemy to use violence against Messiah and in that He overcame death!  He came not in the aims of preserving his flesh. When he comes back (to harvest and judge) he shall say " But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. " (Lk.19:27)/ He will judge the unrighteous and show favor unto the redeemed / 2 Thess.1:7-8"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: / Until then Luke.12:4-5 " And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."/ Matt.10:28 " And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. "

Lk.9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (Lk.17:33/ Matt.16:25 /Mk.8:35/ look at Samson!) 1 Love 

[William H.]

Peuche Lk.17:26-37/ Matt.16:21-24 / Lk.9:22-24

While scripture has a physical level we dont ever strictly considered scripture only in the physical concept (1 Cor.2:13)? We aren't to fear physical death (Mattt.10:28)cause Christ has victory over death (note Matt goes on with 10:33-34,39 for spiritual context).

We do not stand by (or turn and walk away when someone is being murdered, raped, tourtured,.... and claim we are doing this in Christianity. Example: Saul (Acts 7) stood by holding the coats of those who murdered the FIRST Christian Martyr (Steven). YHVH showed his strong Displeasure for this and Paul exspressed his regret for it throughout his life and this is what many are doing by condemning any sense of self defense (law and order), they are infact holding the coats of those doing these things to people and asking that we do as well. Lk17:33 Right after mentioning Lots wife turning back to recall her formal mindset (state/ not willing to let go) in Sodom we get the verse whosoever shall seek to save his "life" (peuche/ ψυχή (psychē G#5590) shall lose it. This term has many levels to it depending on how it is used N Context (not in relation to carnal warfare in Lk 17). Example in Acts 14:2 and Heb.12:3 its translated Mind) and in lk 17 the people arent being attacked by a carnal source (thus not being asked not to engade in carnal warfare) yet they are holding onto Their evil (spiritual) mindset (pseuche). So an ideology that implies that the subject is not to use self defense is perversion & doesnt even apply to this passage. Lets look at Mk 8:35 peuche is "life" vs.36 its soul, as well as vs 37. We are told in vs 34 about following Christ rather than embracing our own peuche. You have to die of self and make his will priority over your own will and physical exsistance.

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Matt 16:21-24 (Matt 24:9/ Rev.6:11) be willing to die physically.

 Lk 9:22-24 (daily be disciplined unto death) all these areas using peuche (which depends on the context to determine its meaning) in the context of seeking to save your life you lose it.

Lk.17:26-37 (turning from The Path back unto destruction)

3 levels of the concept of seeking to save your life yet loosing it and or losing Your life yet Saving it.

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[William H.]

To Many people dont comprehend that taking your own vengance and self defense are Not the same thing and these people tend to use this ignorance in their perversion of scripture on the subject. Did Christ tells the disciples to acquire swords for looks or self defence?

The G-d of the Tanach (OT)changes Not Mal.3:6. The NT says All scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work 2 Tim 3. The G-d I serve is the G-d of both the "OT" and the "NT". We are told that Messiah (The Word) is the same yesterday today and forever Heb.13:8

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever 1 Tim.5:8 (Neh.4:14). We cant rightly didvide the Word if we confuse personal vengance with self defense. 1 Pet.2:18-19 you dont Attack (kill) someone cause they cause you grief, or take your cloak Lk 6, or strike you (matt 5 again). To claim that these verses is speaking against self defense is perversion..To the ignorant and or out right instruments of confusion who say they would never defend themselves with force (and call it evil): I take it you wouldnt call 911 (the police) if someone broke into your house with weapons to cause real Evil. Anyone with a brain would and yet to enable (encourage) someone to do something (you see as) evil is to partake of such Deeds (2 Jn.1:10-11).

[His_Will]

related blog: "the death penalty?"

[His_Will]

Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

 The sword of the Spirit (sword of truth) is a part of the armour of God. / Many liberals don't want truth shared if it offends someone but we are told that the truth will set you free and that correction is done out of concern. (Heb.4:12)

[William H.]

Judges 16 Sampson's vow of a Nazerite had been violated after he told Delilah of how he drew certain strength from The LORD. He already had all the signs that she was rebellious and un trust worthy yet he put his feelings for her before his reverance for the LORD.
The Philistines worshiped another god and were rebellious unto the LORD (Judges 16:23-24). After much time and tourture passed for Sampson they called him forth to make sport of him. Sampson called on the LORD to deliver him against these idol worshiping enemies of his (Judges 16:28-30).

While sampson died he was avenged.

vs.24 "Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy" - Philistines

However, as Sampson was brought forth he was delivered by The ALMIGHTY and slew more people that day than in all the days of his life (vs.30). So not only was Sampson avenged and his defense The LORD but The LORD made it clear that the god of the philistines was nothing more than an idol. 

[William H.]

(Health standards are a type of physical defense. would you do something dangerous to your health then blam God for the effects when he warns you before hand?) Walls around a city were also seen as a type of self defense. Today globalization seems to be the agenda. Such rebellion only helps those in high places that make money or gain power from such (our enemies)