Hello I'm new to forum!

[shingman7]

Hello' I am just wondering where in the bible does it say we have a biblical right to self defense? I know it's in there but I can't find it! Thank's!

[anath]

Welcome shingman, to Rapture Forums

[mattfivefour]

Welcome to RF, shingman7!

The Bible, at least the New Covenant under which we live, gives NO "right" to self defense. Doesn't Jesus say,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth' But I say to you, do not 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 your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:38-48)

And Luke records Jesus telling us,

"I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back." (Luke 6:27-30)

In fact the teaching of the Bible is that we are to trust God to defend us. We find this even in the Old Testament: For example, in Psalm 43:1, Psalm 119:154, and Isaiah 16:3.

But that is regarding SELF defense. As to defending others, we find the principle of loving others as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Thus there are times when we need to act to defend those in need, using whatever means we can. The message of the OT scriptures that we find in such passages as—

"Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:4 )

"Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter." (Proverbs 24:11)

"Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow." (Isaiah 1:17)

"Thus says the LORD, 'Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor...' " (Jeremiah 22:3a)

— we find reiterated in the NT. James says "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" (James 1:27).

Therefore, the operative principle is we should defend those who need defending, those who cannot defend themselves. But that does not necessarily apply to ourselves. We are to trust in God, just like Paul did. After all, aside from our own stupidity putting us into harms way, nothing can befall us but what God permits. But since we are under grace not under law, there is no list of rules we must obey. Rather we are to operate in obedience to just two commandments: they are the two God gave us in Christ, the same two which Jesus said are the fulfillment of all of God's will and commands: to love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength (which means that we will obey Him in everything); and to love our neighbor— not as we love ourselves, but as Christ loved us (John 13:34, 15:12). And how did He love us? He sacrificed Himself ... not for himself, but for us.

I pray this helps.

[livin_in_the_Son]

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