The Bible respects the value of life, allowing for self-defense but encouraging peaceful solutions when possible. Protecting oneself is supported, but peace and kindness are valued above all.
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What Does The Bible Say About Self Defense
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.”
This verse acknowledges the right to self-defense in situations where one’s life or property is threatened. It recognizes that defending oneself or one’s loved ones against harm is permissible.
Psalm 18:34
“He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
This verse speaks of God’s preparation for warfare and the physical strength He provides to His people during times of conflict. It demonstrates that self-defense can be seen as a means of protection and preservation.
Proverbs 25:26
“Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.”
This verse warns against passivity and allowing the wicked to triumph over the righteous. It suggests that standing up against evil and defending oneself can be aligned with righteousness.
Psalm 144:1
“Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”
Here, the psalmist acknowledges God’s role in providing the skills and abilities necessary for warfare. It implies that self-defense is a legitimate use of these God-given talents.
Nehemiah 4:14
“After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.'”
Nehemiah encourages the people to stand up against their enemies and protect their families and homes. This verse recognizes the responsibility of self-defense in the context of safeguarding loved ones.
Luke 22:36
“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.'”
Jesus advises His disciples to be prepared and equipped for times of danger. While the context of this verse may be metaphorical, it implies the necessity of self-defense when facing threatening situations.
Matthew 10:28
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the preservation of one’s soul and spiritual well-being. However, it does not invalidate the need for self-defense in protecting one’s physical body from harm.
Ecclesiastes 3:3
“A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build.”
This verse acknowledges that there are appropriate times for various actions, including the possibility of taking a life for the purposes of self-defense or protection.
Romans 12:17-21
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
While discouraging revenge and promoting peace, this passage does not explicitly negate the right to self-defense. It is focused on personal behavior and encourages responding to evil with good, but it does not forbid protecting oneself from harm.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse emphasizes the responsibility to care for one’s family and ensure their well-being, including the obligation to protect them from harm or danger.
Luke 11:21-22
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.”
This analogy used by Jesus implies the prudence of being prepared and equipped to safeguard one’s home and possessions against potential threats.
Esther 8:11
“The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.”
This verse recounts the authority given to the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies, highlighting the legitimacy of self-defense in the face of imminent harm.
Proverbs 24:11-12
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
This passage calls for intervention and protection of those in imminent danger, suggesting a responsibility to defend others from harm when possible.
Judges 5:8
“When they chose new gods, war came to the city gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.”
This verse highlights the vulnerability and negative consequences of not being prepared for warfare or self-defense, emphasizing the importance of being armed and ready.
2 Samuel 22:35
“He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
Similar to Psalm 18:34, this verse acknowledges God’s role in preparing and equipping His people for physical battle, suggesting that self-defense can be an integral part of fulfilling His purposes.
Psalm 82:4
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse encourages the protection and defense of those who are vulnerable and oppressed, indicating the importance of self-defense as a means of safeguarding the weak.
Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.”
While emphasizing God’s ultimate protection, this verse suggests that defending oneself against weapons or false accusations can be a part of the blessings and rights bestowed upon God’s servants.
Acts 23:12-13
“The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot.”
These verses depict a situation where the apostle Paul became aware of a plot against his life and sought protection through self-defense and the intervention of Roman authorities.
Psalm 82:4
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse encourages the protection and defense of those who are vulnerable and oppressed, indicating the importance of self-defense as a means of safeguarding the weak.
Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.”
While emphasizing God’s ultimate protection, this verse suggests that defending oneself against weapons or false accusations can be a part of the blessings and rights bestowed upon God’s servants.
Acts 23:12-13
“The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot.”
These verses depict a situation where the apostle Paul became aware of a plot against his life and sought protection through self-defense and the intervention of Roman authorities.
Proverbs 22:3
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
This verse encourages wisdom and discernment in recognizing potential dangers and the need for self-protection, emphasizing the importance of self-defense in practical decision-making.
2 Timothy 4:17
“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.”
Paul’s reference to being delivered from the lion’s mouth demonstrates God’s intervention in protecting His servants during times of physical danger, implying the legitimacy of self-defense.
Luke 22:35-36
“Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered. 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.'”
In addition to emphasizing the importance of preparedness, Jesus instructs His disciples to acquire a weapon for self-defense, recognizing the legitimacy of employing means of protection.
Genesis 14:14-16
“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.”
In this account, Abram organizes a military expedition to rescue his relative Lot and his possessions from captivity. This narrative demonstrates the exercise of self-defense and protection of loved ones.