What Does the Bible Say About Self Defense?
Is Self Defense a Sin? The quick answer is no. It is not a sin to defend yourself. It’s actually a God given right for you to protect yourself at all times.
Here in this article, we’ll dive into What Does the Bible Say About Self Defense.
Disclaimer: Although the Bible lays out the Laws regarding self defense, they are a reference from a time in the past.
It is always best to speak to a lawyer in your local area, and stay up to date regarding the new legal policies of self defense.
Staying in harmony with God your Creator, and the state that you live in will minimize your consequences for acting on your behalf in self defense. As Jesus said before, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
– Mark 12:17.
Now with that said, let’s answer What Does the Bible Say About Self Defense.
What Does the Bible Say About Using a Weapon for Self Defense?
What Does the Bible Say About Defense of Family?
What Does the Bible Say About Killing in Self-Defense?
What Does the Bible Say About Using a Weapon for Self Defense?
Luke 22:35-37
“Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied.
“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!
We can see from the verses above, Jesus commanded his disciples to arm themselves with a physical sword. Jesus is encouraging his disciples to practice in the art of self defense.
Luke 22:38-39
“Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said. Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives.”
From a Biblical perspective, this verse means you can carry self-defense tools. Weapons such as pepper spray, stun guns, and lethal tools are acceptable in the eyes of God. At least, these all follow in the general art of self-defense.
Art has many ways to display a message. Carrying swords as Jesus’ disciples, counts as one of them.
What Does the Bible Say About Defense of Family?
Exodus 22:2:
“If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.”
This passage above tells us what God says about self defense. You have the human right to use deadly force to defend your family and your property.
Luke 11:21:
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.”
Of course you have to temper your actions on an individual basis. The Bible says, it is acceptable to strike a fatal blow to a thief invading your house during the night. But, to do so during the day may lead you to face consequences for using excessive force.
Which means you don’t have a free pass to use deadly force at all times. You are responsible for assessing every situation and showing restraint whenever possible.
What Does the Bible Say About Killing in Self-Defense?
Exodus 21:22-25:
“If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows.
But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”
This verse clearly states that if an offender takes another person’s life using violence, the offender must pay with his own life.
Notice how it is not considered murder to take the life of the offender during the course of self defense. Murder is the act of unlawful killing.
Whereas to put someone to death can be justified as lawful killing protected by self defense. Self defense is simply using force for force; an eye for an eye.
Which means if things escalate and you are fearing for your life because of your attacker’s mortal intention and act of violence, you can now take the life of your offender to protect your own life.
What Does Jesus Say About Self Defense?
But, you might be asking… why then do Christians quote Jesus as preaching only peace and forgiveness? Didn’t Jesus also say to turn the other cheek if struck by another person?
At face value this seems to suggest that Jesus condemned the use of self defense. However, when you read the Gospels in full context; things look quite different.
For instance, Jesus was only talking to his disciples and not the rest of the crowd when condemning self-defense. It reveals in the book of Matthew 5:1, Jesus left the crowds to walk up the mountainside. Only Jesus’ disciples followed him up to receive this sermon. It never indicates that the crowd went up.
But Is There a Contradiction to Biblical Self-Defense?
Moments go by now from the last story, and Peter cuts off a priest’s ear in act of protecting Jesus. Immediately, Jesus commands Peter to sheathe his sword.
It is evident from the Bible that self-defense with force is not to be practiced by those who are disciples of Jesus (aka preachers). However, this doesn’t apply to everyone else. Since the majority of people in the world aren’t preachers, they are allowed to engage in self-defense.
As Jesus did say, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.“
As to why Jesus told his disciples to brandish swords in the beginning is sort of a mystery. It likely meant that carrying swords was a daily reminder to keep a spiritual sword with them at all times.
The spiritual sword we are referring to are the Scriptures; Verses. The Disciples had to sharpen their mettle for battles using the verses from Scripture. To use Scripture and the Word was their primary form of self-defense instead of using physical force.
The swords must have been an extra display, adding to how the Disciples carried their own Art of Self Defense. This likely minimized the Disciples’ chances of getting into unnecessary fights by displaying a layer of sharp metal. Who wants to fight a group of 12; if they’re all packing heat, right?
You Need Discernment
At the end of the day, you need to discern every situation for yourself. The general rule to self-defense is avoid using excessive force. The ultimate goal is to preserve life, while still holding your offender accountable for his actions.
Although Jesus is a great teacher for many of us in our lives, we need to look at the whole picture of what does the Bible says about self defense. It would be wrong for us to only focus on what Jesus said and neglect the rest of the Bible.
As Jesus said he came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17). Which means Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament of the Bible. The Old Testament permits use of self-defense.
Job 34:4
“Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.”
What now?
Now that we’ve dissected what the Bible says about Self Defense, you now know its a God-given right to defend yourself. Here are 9 Easy Self Defense Techniques you can use at any time if you’re ever in a pinch or messy situation. These are open handed techniques that will serve you when you need it most.
And it never hurts to have extra tools to get the job done right. Check out our Best Stun Guns For Self Defense.