This past summer, in Harrisburg, PA, a food deliveryman was attacked by two would-be robber-thugs. Police report that the two miscreants punched the man in the face and broke a glass bottle over his head all the while demanding his money.
Fortunately, Mr. Deliveryman was armed and able to grab his sidearm sending some “warm lead” in their direction. The thugs fled and one was later treated for a non-life-threatening injury.
It seems to me that the thugs of today are much more brazen than those of days past. We now live in a society where “home invasions” are in vogue. No more neighbor kid breaking into your house when you are not home to steal that five bucks you left on the kitchen counter. Now days it’s four of five armed, ex-cons breaking into your house while you are home and often-times while you are still awake!
Resisting an attack is not to be confused with taking vengeance which is the exclusive domain of God (Romans 12:19). This has been delegated to the civil magistrate, who, as we read in Romans 13:4, “is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”
In Genesis 4, Cain decided to kill his brother rather than get right with God. There were no guns available, although there may have been a knife. Whether it was a knife, rock, or tree branch the Bible does not say. The point is, the evil in Cain’s heart was the cause of the murder, not the availability of the murder weapon.
God’s response was not to ban rocks, knives, and branches but to banish the murderer. Later in Genesis 9:5-6, God instituted capital punishment, but said nothing about banning weapons!
Lord willing, we will be covering this topic in much greater detail at one of our monthly lectures, but until then, may I suggest listening to Pastor John Weavers sermon “The Biblical Doctrine of Self-Defense” Part 1 & Part 2.
When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: (Luke 11:21)
~ Toby Grater
