On the subject of self-defense

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If you have come to the place in your walk with the Lord where you are willing to be sacrificed as a martyr for His sake, I commend you. Yet, your position may be compromised by factors to which you haven't given adequate consideration. If you're not yet ready to lay down your life as the Lord laid down His own, I invite you to consider what has been written in this study, The Testimony of Gethsemane - Part 3 - Your Final Exam. If you are prepared with such a passionate love as that, please continue reading.

We are part of a community, with friends, neighbors, and family, and we therefore have certain obligations to each other. Our natural instinct is along the line of the strong protecting and providing for the weak and disadvantaged, of fathers and mothers protecting their children, and husbands their wives. What are we to do when our own willingness to be martyred conflicts with our natural inclinations, putting those at risk who might be depending on us? What do we do in circumstances where we ourselves or those we have obligations toward are threatened and it's not a matter of being persecuted for Jesus' sake? What, if any, measures might be taken to protect ourselves and others from those who pose a threat? These are questions that beg answers.

Some insist that we must take up the sword while others say we should lay down the sword. We're going to try to help you answer for yourselves. Ultimately, the answers are very personal and each one of us will act in accordance with our faith, whether it's weak or strong, in a figure, for we will each stand before the Lord and give an account. Strong faith is that which sees the unseen without wavering in the faithfulness of the promises that are legitimately ours. This is entirely a matter of faith, and of hope, and of love, and the Bible is not mute.

Our interest in this presentation is in discovering the will of God, Who is our Maker and Judge, so that we might honor Him with obedience. We believe this is a matter of His expectations and our accountability before Him. This presentation is not intended for those who have competing agendas. So, as we stand before our Lord with sincerity and integrity of heart, knowing that we are entirely transparent before Him, we ask, seeking to know what our responsibility is toward others when we are, for Y'shua's sake, willing to sacrifice our own freedom and lives.

If we are convinced that others depend upon us for their protection and provision, we will act in accordance with that belief. But, will we not then deny the Lord? If we believe others truly depend upon us then we certainly don't believe they actually depend upon the Lord, and neither do we believe that we ourselves truly depend upon the Lord. Let this reasoning speak to you about faith.

That may already have settled some issues for you.

Consider also the situation of those who have been martyred and are even now being martyred. We have a body of testimony brought by a "great cloud of witnesses." Does God not call someone to martyrdom even when others might be depending upon them for provision and protection? Of course! Does God not care about those who are impacted by the loss of one who has gone into captivity or to death at His own leading? Of course He does, and more perfectly than you or I possibly could! Those who are impacted are typically inspired, gaining what is most precious rather than losing anything of true value. God is not an abuser and He does not abandon those who love Him! If you don't know that, you don't know the Lord very well at all! And, if you're being honest, you know you're really not ready to lay down your life for His sake!

I believe it comes down to this. What do we trust in? The Lord and His Love and provision, or our own? My dad, when he spoke of his religious beliefs, would tell me that God helps those who help themselves. He considered himself to be a Christian, and when you see how a great number of self-professing Christians act you can tell this vain philosophy is widely believed. I would say rather that God helps whom He helps. And religious people rationalize whatever they want to do. If we want to secure God's help we ask for it, according to His will.

What then is His will? If the Bible doesn't seem to address our present concerns in the most direct and obvious ways it should become plain enough to those with a hearing ear.

I confess that it's my natural tendency to want to defend "me and mine" by whatever means necessary. If people act like animals, like crude beasts, I am naturally inclined to treat them that way and if threatened I wouldn't hesitate to put them in the ground. I used to hunt. I can handle a firearm. I took my son to the firing range so he would know how to handle a gun. Many years ago, the Lord gave me pause to consider my natural inclination versus my supernatural inclination. I came to have peace about what He was confronting me with. I'm not saying that I have yet come to the place where I might need to be, but I have gained a persistent confidence about the Lord's ability to get me there if and when the time comes that hard choices need to be made.

As a matter of priority, as in all other matters where we are seeking the Lord's will, we must first lay aside our own personal leanings because these utterly compromise our ability to discern His voice. I'm going to offer the advice of an expert, George Muller, who capably demonstrated God's miraculous provision and care over many years. The following is from George Muller - Notes about living by faith - Excerpts from Basil Miller's biographical work

• I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly ready in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.
• Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impressions. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.
• I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in conjunction with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also.
• Next I take into account providential circumstances. These plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.
• I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.
• Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always most effective.

Are you able to get your heart "into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to" your role in the defense of your beloved family and friends and neighbors. If you can put your own life in the Lord's hands, can you not also put the lives of those whom you love and care for in His hands? If you have some doubt and honestly need some help with that, seek it from the Lord until you have secured it.

If you are to follow brother Muller's wise advice in how to avoid being "liable to great delusions," the opportunity to "seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in conjunction with the Word of God" must be seized upon in advance, as preparation. When such a time may come that you are required to react to a threatening situation, you're not going to be calling a time out to get clear on what must be done. Now is your opportunity to prepare, to give attention to the scriptures in connection with prayer, and to allow time for the kinds of "providential circumstances" that "plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit." You NEED the assurance of timely help - "in the moment" of need.

Let me tell you about what happened to me on Sunday, the 8th of November, as I was preparing this message. I was at home, doing a load of laundry. I started the washer and went back upstairs to make coffee. I usually set the timer on the stove to remind me when I need to give my attention to the laundry process, but I had neglected to do that until after a little time had already passed. I guessed that 27 minutes was probably close to the time when I could move the clothes into the dryer so I set the timer and walked back to continue what I was doing by the sink - but I paused on the way. It occurred to me that I should ask the Lord how long it will be, because He knows. I did, and the number 25 came immediately to mind, so, chuckling and thanking Him, I went back to the stove and reset the timer to 25 minutes. I finished making coffee and went to my desk to pick up this study where I had left off. I was deep in study when my attention suddenly shifted to the washing machine, which was winding down the spin cycle to go silent. At the very moment it went silent, the timer went off! It could not have been more perfectly timed. Message received! The Lord is present and attentive. He cares about things little and big and He is able to provide for us in the most timely of ways. I received this as a witness of the Lord's care and a validation of what was being prepared for this presentation. I wanted to tell Aaron about what had happened but not until later in the day. Our first communication came at 4:20 in the afternoon when I sent him an email updating him on what I had been up to. I usually hear from Aaron much earlier in the day. When we talked on Zoom later he said my email had been received the very moment he had concluded and set aside what he had been deeply engrossed in for the previous 4+ hours. Comparing notes, there was clearly overlap or crossover in what we had been focused on, which the Lord was bringing to us independently. This is an example of the Lord's signature interaction, the kind of "providential circumstances" that we rejoice in, knowing the Lord's loving care of us!

So, here we are. Let's consider a collection of scriptures that are more or less relevant.

There are situations where the lesson applies and those where it doesn't. We must certainly set our minds on the things of God and not the things of man. A hearing ear is required, in the moment.

The principle can be extended to other scenarios because His kingdom is the kingdom of Heaven that is still not of this world, but there is no universal applicability being suggested. A hearing ear is required and there is no substitute for it.

If we believe our treasure is here on earth then that's where our hearts will be, and we will strive to keep thieves from breaking in and stealing it, or perhaps raping and pillaging, as the case may be. As to whether or not the perspective is applicable in a particular circumstance - a hearing ear is certainly required. Keep in mind where your loyalties might be.

The stability and comfort offered by a home and all that goes along with that, and, too, the cultural and familial obligations of the natural man; these are set aside or superseded when one has been sent by the Lord on a mission. Of course, a hearing ear is required. One has the option to decline the Lord's invitations and accept whatever penalty may result, with forfeit of reward.

Later manuscripts append this line to verse 55: "and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of." Vengeance is the Lord's, in His time, not ours in our time, even if we believe we can call forth fire from heaven. Y'shua is just. Trust Him for that. Those who fail to align themselves with the Lord and His agenda will be dealt with.

That was written as a "church epistle," which was given to the saints in Rome and to be read by others, including you and I, saints.

What some refer to as The Beatitudes is a text that is also relevant and applicable.

The meek are not wimpy, spineless, or namby-pamby. The following is what HELPS Word-studies offers for the Greek word translated, meek.

Cognate: 4239 praýs (also listed as 4239a/praupathia in NAS dictionary) – meek. See 4236 (praótēs).

This difficult-to-translate root (pra-) means more than "meek." Biblical meekness is not weakness but rather refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e. demonstrating power without undue harshness.

[The English term "meek" often lacks this blend – i.e. of gentleness (reserve) and strength.]

The meek are characterized by their gentleness, not their fierceness, and their strength is not in the exercise of their own abilities under their own control but rather their exercise of God's strength under His control!

The passage continues.

Some must read verse 9's "Blessed are the peacemakers" with a bit of a twist, like, "Blessed are those who know better than God and have a more noble character and become fierce defenders of the weak and courageous vigilantes for justice and valiant throwers down of perceived tyrants." That would not be a faithful reading.

On the subject of persecution, professing saints who exhibit little faith do surely persecute the saints who have greater faith, uttering evil against them falsely on the Lord's account. Most of us have heard the arguments that are being made and the scriptures being quoted by those who are giving the church license to protect themselves and their families by any means necessary. Steve Quayle is one among many. They project an air of confidence as they assert their moral superiority. Many are acting like the schoolyard bully using intimidation tactics, chastising and rebuking the saints, showering them with abuse, taunting, insulting, mocking and shaming them, calling them cowards, pacifists and effeminate. Their arguments are often peppered with scriptures in a taking of extreme liberties with the context. Don't let the bullies shake your foundation. There is a bravado in the carnal man, and in stark contrast there is, in the spiritual man, the quiet confidence of having the Lord's approval, favor and an enduring reward!

It should be known that a clear conscience is not the standard of what is truly acceptable. Conscience is no substitute for the spirit of God's revelation of the mind and heart of the Lord. If you have been influenced by Disney's Pinnochio, you are familiar with the expression, "Let your conscience be your guide." It's in a song that was sung by Disney's little green morality coach from Pinocchio, named, Jiminy Cricket. The Disney morality lesson is a counterfeit of the truth. Consider how the name, Jiminy Cricket is a minced oath. (Minced oaths are euphemisms used to avoid swearing.) "Jiminy Cricket" substitutes for "Jesus Christ." Such a substitute as that can be seen as an antichrist. The word, Jimini, is akin to Jove, derived from, Jupiter, the god also known as Zeus. Otherwise identified as Satan. To let your conscience be your guide is to open yourself to Satan's moral guidance, so don't "give a little whistle," as the Disney song entices us to do. Call on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself for His guidance, which will be in accordance with the word of life that is the holy scriptures.

Here's a couple passages of scripture that you may take comfort and guidance from.

Husbands: Who loves your wife and children more; you, or the Lord? Who do you love more; your wife and children, or the Lord? Do you understand about idolatry, that it is the elevation of the creation above the Creator? Mothers: Who loves your children more; you, or the Lord? Who do you love more; your children, or the Lord?

Husbands and fathers: Are you fulfilling your obligation to instruct your wife and children as to the Lord's commands, even regarding martyrdom, and are you setting the example in being a living sacrifice? Mothers, likewise with your children. From a very young age, children have a capacity for faith. Wives, are you taking matters into your own hands, taking your husband's authority unto yourself instead of submitting to the Lord Himself Who has assigned your role according to His wisdom and good pleasure? Husbands and wives: You are one flesh, as it is revealed in the 5th chapter of Ephesians. Recognizing this and accepting it as truth will help you see the Lord's perspective.

So, what could or should be done if and when we see others being abused and we have the ability to intervene on their behalf - and it requires violence? Whether they are family members or strangers, what should we do? Our answer will come from our maturity and strength of faith, working through love. If we have ears that hear, we will do that which is pleasing to the Lord.

In closing, I'll leave you with a link to a blog post I was led to write back in 2012. Just Let It Go