Defending Yourselves & Family

[Lewis]

The topic here Should Christians speak in harsh tones? reminded me of a topic I started here about 4 years ago. I asked what would you do being a Christian, if a robber and rapist came into your house and tried to hurt you kids and your wife ? Would you turn the other cheek or would you defend them ? Suppose a man was giving you the beat down of your life, being a Christian are you to defend yourself or turn the other cheek ? You should have seen some of the answers I got. But God does not expect you to stand there and get beat to death, or stand by while your wife or kids are being raped, and you tell the intruder God forgives you. You are to crack his skull. God expects you to protect your family or to defend yourself, what are you going to do let a guy beat you almost to death, and then turn over and tell him, that he forgot to punch you on this side of the face ? Now there are certain situations where you should not punch back, but many Christians are confused on this issue. I think I got some answers where they were saying they would not fight the intruder. And I was like what about the wife and kids, you coward. So since most of them are no longer here, what do you all say. Many think that when Jesus said turn the other cheek He was just being sarcastic in a playful way. Yes are Lord had a sense of humor, he was not that rigid. Because that would not make sense, people would be dead in the streets everywhere you turn, if people did not defend themselves, even the people of God. God is not a wimp, in case some of you did not know. No I am not telling people to be violent, I am just speaking the truth. I am not going to stand by, while some dude slaps my mom to the ground.

 

[John]

I have always carried a bible and gun on/near me. If someone entered my home to hurt any of my family i would not hesitate to use deadly force, In fact i am prepared for it.

 

[Kelli]

Jesus didn't say if you get punched in the face, turn the other cheek. He said "slapped". There is a huge difference. A slap is a full of shame, and is an insult, but isn't really intended to hurt anybody. You couldn't kill someone by slapping them. On the other hand you could kill someone by punching them. I think Jesus was talking about being humble. I think he was talking about turning the other cheek if someone insults you.

Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

 

[animal]

Jesus didn't say if you get punched in the face, turn the other cheek. He said "slapped". There is a huge difference. A slap is a full of shame, and is an insult, but isn't really intended to hurt anybody. You couldn't kill someone by slapping them. On the other hand you could kill someone by punching them. I think Jesus was talking about being humble. I think he was talking about turning the other cheek if someone insults you.

Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Agreed. I've always held this same opinion on the subject.

 

[Lewis]

Here is something for you, Jesus is saying this, now what are swords used for ? Why is Jesus telling him to buy a sword ?

Luke 22:36Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

 

[lovely]

We should protect the innocent.

 

[Lewis]

Yeah like children and your wife. You are not to let somebody break in your house and harm them.

 

[JoJo]

I would most definitely, without a doubt or hesitation, defend my children in the event of an attack. (you know how us mama bears can get!)

To address your initial question:

The topic here Should Christians speak in harsh tones?

I have seen attitudes displayed by people (in this forum and in life) that when you find out they are a Christian, you're like, "Really?? I never would have guessed." I think that's when you've crossed the line.

 

[GojuBrian]

The topic here Should Christians speak in harsh tones? reminded me of a topic I started here about 4 years ago. I asked what would you do being a Christian, if a robber and rapist came into your house and tried to hurt you kids and your wife ? Would you turn the other cheek or would you defend them ? Suppose a man was giving you the beat down of your life, being a Christian are you to defend yourself or turn the other cheek ? You should have seen some of the answers I got. But God does not expect you to stand there and get beat to death, or stand by while your wife or kids are being raped, and you tell the intruder God forgives you. You are to crack his skull. God expects you to protect your family or to defend yourself, what are you going to do let a guy beat you almost to death, and then turn over and tell him, that he forgot to punch you on this side of the face ? Now there are certain situations where you should not punch back, but many Christians are confused on this issue. I think I got some answers where they were saying they would not fight the intruder. And I was like what about the wife and kids, you coward. So since most of them are no longer here, what do you all say. Many think that when Jesus said turn the other cheek He was just being sarcastic in a playful way. Yes are Lord had a sense of humor, he was not that rigid. Because that would not make sense, people would be dead in the streets everywhere you turn, if people did not defend themselves, even the people of God. God is not a wimp, in case some of you did not know. No I am not telling people to be violent, I am just speaking the truth. I am not going to stand by, while some dude slaps my mom to the ground.

God makes sure we are born with certain knowledge, a conscious. We know what is clearly right and what is clearly wrong. Some things we don't even have to read the Bible to know, but when researches is clearly affirmed by the Bible.

Someone tries to hurt my family,well, what happens to them is their fault, not mine.

Someone beating the crap out of me, same thing.

I'm a gunowner for many reasons. One is self defense and defense of others. I'm a lifelong martial artist for the same reason.

 

[Lewis]

God makes sure we are born with certain knowledge, a conscious. We know what is clearly right and what is clearly wrong. Some things we don't even have to read the Bible to know, but when researches is clearly affirmed by the Bible.

Someone tries to hurt my family,well, what happens to them is their fault, not mine.

Someone beating the crap out of me, same thing.

I'm a gunowner for many reasons. One is self defense and defense of others. I'm a lifelong martial artist for the same reason.

Great reply :amen

 

[lovely]

Brian, I think you are right in saying, "what happens to them is their fault."

We have discussed this in a different context before, and at that time I was reminded of the story of Rahab. She was told that if her family stayed in the home, then they would be spared, if someone did happen to kill them then the death would be on Israel's head. But if they ventured into the street with the battle, then their deaths would be on their own heads. I think the principal would be that if you die because someone is defending themselves against you, then your blood is on your own head...you have murdered yourself.

The Lord bless you.

 

[Cornelius]

I have always carried a bible and gun on/near me. If someone entered my home to hurt any of my family i would not hesitate to use deadly force, In fact i am prepared for it.

So if God fails, you still have a gun. Just in case God falls off the throne when a thief or rapist enters your home, you can still blast him.

I think the reality is that we know OUR faith will fail, so we carry a backup plan.

 

[Lewis]

The thing is God does not always intervene, and then sometimes He does. So you may have to defend yourself or family members. It is stupid to stand there and take a classic, and complete beat down. Now some Christian think that you should not lift a finger, that is crazy. I remember about 15 or so years ago, a good Christian was beat to death with a baseball bat, God did not intervene in that event, so the young man of about 21 died. I remember a pastor here in Philly had to shoot his own drug addict son who broke into the house and was trying to beat his father to death, man that was a hard one. But anyway the son died. And pastor was not charged. Also here in Philly and New Jersey there have been a rash of break in's and beat downs of Catholic clergies, sometimes severe, the motive, is always robbery, some of them have died. Defend yourself, the days are evil, people are out to kill you motivated by satan and and the billions of the other kicked out of heaven fallen angels, and their is plenty of demon angles to go around.

 

[Jon-Marc]

Jesus didn't say if you get punched in the face, turn the other cheek. He said "slapped". There is a huge difference. A slap is a full of shame, and is an insult, but isn't really intended to hurt anybody. You couldn't kill someone by slapping them. On the other hand you could kill someone by punching them. I think Jesus was talking about being humble. I think he was talking about turning the other cheek if someone insults you.

Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

I suppose it's all a matter of what Bible translation one uses as to the words that are used. King James uses "smite", which means according to my Webster's Dictionary, "To hit or strike hard. To defeat, punish, destroy, or kill." Just those few words make it sound like "smite" means a lot more than a slap on the face.

However, I'm with John. If someone attacks me, he had better be prepared to kill me since I will defend myself in any way possible. If he has a gun, then I'm in trouble since I don't. After hearing about homes being broken into in this trailer park, I've thought about getting a gun. The only problem with that is the last time I was broken into was when I wasn't at home, and my guns were stolen along with everything else of value. So guns aren't of much use if you're not home to use it. Also, if you have to keep guns locked up because of kids, you won't be able to get to it fast enough if someone breaks in. Besides, burglars don't usually break in when you're home, and anyone who does break in with you there will come armed and ready to kill.

If being the kind of Christian that God wants us to be means being a doormat and a punching bag, then I will never be able to be what He wants. Some Bible verses make it sound like if someone hits you, you must stand there and take it. If someone steals from you, let him steal more from you. I'm sorry, but I have a serious problem with that. I've had things stolen from me more times than I can remember, but it wasn't because I willingly let them have it.

 

[Vic C.]

Hey Lewis! Man, we discussed this a few months ago. It got a little ugly. What I've noticed is those who oppose any form of self defense are at odds when it comes to honestly answering hypothetical questions like the one you proposed.

 

[Lewis]

I missed that one Vic, sounds like it went the way of the one I did about 4 years ago here.

 

[Relic]

.

Here is something to think about....

Was God against David killing Goliath (the one who terrorized) ?

David was the only one brave enough to be a defender.

.

 

[destiny]

Maybe it's a matter of faith in the area of protection from God; We all have strong areas of faith and weak areas of faith.
Since I've been saved I have depended on Gods protection for me and my family. Although my husband has a lot of guns I have no hope in them, at all. My hope completely rests in Gods ability to watch over us, and He always has. I would probably shoot myself if I tried to defend myself with a gun.

 

[Vic C.]

Maybe it's a matter of faith in the area of protection from God; We all have strong areas of faith and weak areas of faith.
Since I've been saved I have depended on Gods protection for me and my family. Although my husband has a lot of guns I have no hope in them, at all. My hope completely rests in Gods ability to watch over us, and He always has. I would probably shoot myself if I tried to defend myself with a gun.

Now you know God wouldn't allow that... He's protecting you. :amen

 

[destiny]

Maybe it's a matter of faith in the area of protection from God; We all have strong areas of faith and weak areas of faith.
Since I've been saved I have depended on Gods protection for me and my family. Although my husband has a lot of guns I have no hope in them, at all. My hope completely rests in Gods ability to watch over us, and He always has. I would probably shoot myself if I tried to defend myself with a gun.

Now you know God wouldn't allow that... He's protecting you. :amen

He might allow me to learn a lesson for going against what He's established in me. I would be worse than Barney Fife.
We had this discussion at home a few days ago concerning the guns not being worth going to jail over if they come to get them. My hubby is coming around in that area but he used to be "shoot out at the OK corral" all the way.