The Bible does not directly address the issue of self-defense in detail, but there are several principles and passages that provide guidance on this topic. Here is an overview of the biblical perspective on self-defense:
1. The right to life and preservation of life
The Bible shows that God values human life and considers the unjust taking of human life to be morally wrong (Exodus 20:13). Self-defense could be viewed as a means of protecting and preserving life against an unjust aggressor. The Bible permits taking human life in instances like capital punishment (Genesis 9:6), during wartime (Deuteronomy 20), and potentially in self-defense as well. However, the Bible also cautions against taking human life hastily or without cause (Exodus 20:13).
2. Protection of others
The Bible encourages protecting and defending others, especially the vulnerable. Psalms 82:3-4 says to “defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” This suggests that using self-defense to protect others, especially when they cannot protect themselves, could be justified. Scripture supports defending and preserving innocent life.
3. Self-preservation instincts
Self-preservation is a natural human instinct seen throughout the Bible. When Paul invoked his rights as a Roman citizen to avoid unlawful harm, he was exercising self-preservation (Acts 22:25-29). When David fled King Saul to spare his own life, it was an act of self-preservation (1 Samuel 19). While self-preservation should not be taken to sinful extremes, the Bible suggests that protecting one’s own life can be prudent.
4. Being prepared
Jesus instructed his disciples to be prepared to defend themselves physically if necessary, even if it meant violating normal principles about peaceful living (Luke 22:36). Having appropriate means of self-defense ready and being prepared to use them if circumstances require it is presented as wisdom in Scripture. However, being armed or prepared for conflict does not always equate to approval to use force. Wisdom and discernment are required.
5. Not returning evil for evil
While Christianity permits self-defense, believers are also called to not repay evil for evil (Romans 12:17). So self-defense that involves excessive or malicious force may still be unbiblical. As Scripture says “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). The Bible encourages resolving conflicts peacefully when feasible. So all appropriate peaceful alternatives should be considered before resorting to forceful self-defense.
6. Trusting in God’s protection
Ultimately, God is sovereign over life and death. Psalms 118:6 declares, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Faith can overcome fear of death through trust in God’s protection. However, the Bible also demonstrates that God can work through earthly means of self-preservation. Trusting in God does not negate acting wisely to protect oneself. But it should check motives and bring peace and courage when defending life becomes necessary.
In summary, a biblical worldview suggests that self-defense is generally permissible but that several principles should also guide it. These include: protecting innocent life, avoiding unnecessary force, pursuing peace when possible, preparing and preventing without being paranoid, and trusting God rather than possessions or weapons for ultimate security. Self-defense should only be used to stop evil and preserve life if no better alternatives are available.
7. Jesus’ teaching on non-retaliation and love for enemies
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his followers not to violently retaliate against wrongs but to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-39). Does this rule out self-defense entirely? Most scholars understand these verses as prohibiting retaliation and upholding nonviolence rather than prohibiting any use of force in self-defense. Loving enemies (Matthew 5:44) seeks their good, which means stopping evil actions, not passively allowing immoral behavior. Jesus demonstrated righteous indignation and aggression like overturning tables and driving out money-changers when confronted with profiteering in the temple (Matthew 21:12). So while Christians are called to a high standard of non-retaliation and peacemaking, Jesus’ teachings do not necessarily forbid all force, especially in defense of innocent life.
8. Submission to governing authorities
The Bible instructs believers to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7). In societies where law enforcement is just, Christians are called to entrust their protection to the government rather than taking defense into their own hands. However, when governments are unjust or unable to protect, Christians may need to provide for their own defense. Scripture shows that obeying God takes precedence over obeying men (Acts 5:29), so absolute pacifism in the face of mortal danger is not necessarily required by biblical submission. But an attitude of respecting and deferring to authority should still shape how Christians approach self-defense.
9. Examples of self-defense in the Bible
There are some examples of the Bible looking favorably on defenders:
– Exodus 22:2 permits killing an intruder in the night to prevent house-breaking. This could be an example of legitimate self-defense.
– Nehemiah 4:13-23 describes God’s people arming themselves to protect their families from potential attack when their enemies plotted against them. They were prepared to defend themselves if needed.
– In 1 Samuel 25, Abigail pleads for David not to kill her household in retaliation after her foolish husband Nabal insulted David’s men. David was ready to use force to defend his men’s honor until Abigail intervened. This shows there may be wisdom in third-party intervening to seek resolution and prevent violence if possible.
– Esther 8-9 describes the Jews defending themselves lethally against those trying to attack them due to Haman’s genocidal decree. Their self-defense was clearly portrayed as appropriate given the extreme circumstances.
So Scripture presents some precedent for using force in self-defense when life is imminently threatened and peaceful alternatives are not readily available. However, preemptive violence is not promoted, and restraint is encouraged whenever possible.
10. Capital punishment in the Bible
The Bible consistently affirms capital punishment, or the use of lethal force, as a legitimate power of government (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:4). This is not simple self-defense but rather judicial penalty. However, it does reveal a biblical view of force as at times necessary to restrain egregious evil. Capital punishment was designed to protect innocent life and demonstrate the value God places on human beings created in His image. So the careful, just use of lethal force to protect others could be extrapolated as consistent with biblical principles in extreme situations when innocent lives are imminently threatened and no lesser means are available. But as with capital punishment, this would require wise and careful restraint.
11. The propagation of violence
A potential danger of using force in self-defense is that it could propagate more violence. Jesus warned that “all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). There are often unintended consequences and escalation risks whenever lethal force is used. So even when permitted, self-defense introduces many ethical complexities. This reinforces the need for wisdom and caution when considering defending oneself with force. Nonviolent alternatives should be pursued whenever realistically possible.
12. Self-defense and loving enemies
Scripture calls believers to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44). Loving enemies does not mean passively allowing them to commit evil or immoral acts. Truly loving them involves stopping evil actions when possible but doing so without malicious intent. Using necessary force only to halt wrongdoing rather than for revenge or retaliation can be an expression of love by protecting the innocent. However, excessive or unnecessary force would be incompatible with biblical commands to love enemies and pursue goodwill even to those who persecute you.
13. Vengeance belongs to God
The Bible teaches that vengeance belongs to God alone (Romans 12:19). Humans are not called to seek unlimited personal retaliation. Appropriate self-defense involves stopping evil and protecting life, not taking revenge which requires a different motive and disposition. Believers should have an attitude of desiring justice rather than vengeance against those who do wrong. Any use of force should be focused on righteous protection, not retaliation. Leaving vengeance to God and civil authorities checks self-defense from turning into morally compromised retaliation.
14. The sanctity of human life
At the heart of a biblical view of self-defense is the sacredness of human life (Genesis 1:26-27). The unjust taking of human life is morally wrong. However, killing is not absolutely prohibited in Scripture in contexts like capital punishment, just war, or potentially protecting innocent life in dire situations. But due to the value God places on each person, taking a human life is never to be done lightly or for lesser causes. Life is to be protected when possible. This deep reverence for life should shape any considerations of using lethal force in self-defense.
In conclusion, the Bible does not explicitly prohibit appropriate self-defense when facing grave mortal danger. Scripture values innocent life and permits using force to protect against evil in extreme circumstances when alternatives are not readily available. However, principles like pursuing peace, loving enemies, avoiding unnecessary retaliation, and trusting ultimately in God should govern how self-defense is practiced according to a biblical worldview.