Bible comments on conflict and violence
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Question: What does the Bible say about self-defence or fighting in the Military? How would God judge us when serving in the military or taking a life in self-Defence or the defence of others?
Google: What's the Bible say bout self-defence?
Given what Jesus says in Luke 22:36, given the fact that a sword is a lethal weapon, Jesus affirms lethal force in self-defence. And in this New Testament passage, Jesus doesn't limit the time of day. Certainly, lethal force should be avoided if possible.
In 2Timothy 2:3, Paul says, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus”. These words, and others like them, were written metaphorically to help Christians understand the nature of our walk with Christ. Following Christ is a privilege, made possible by God's grace to us.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,' says the Lord. 'BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD’.
Psalm 82:3 (NIV)
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed”.
Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident… I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”.
What is the soldier's prayer in the Bible?
Indeed Psalm 91 is quite commonly known as the soldier's psalm as it is said many soldiers in WWI recited this psalm daily. Indeed I found a story circulating that tells of a Brigade commander in WWI who gave a little card with Psalm 91 on it to his men who were in the Brigade of the same number – 91st Brigade.
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”.
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
Psalm 91:1-8 (NIV)
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge”, and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me”, says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.
15 He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
Psalm 91:9-16 (NIV)
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