How far can Christians go in defending themselves physically, and do they have the right to do so? Given that Christians are being persecuted everywhere throughout the world, this is a crucial question. The solution is easy to understand. It is our right to self-defense and a duty to stand out for others. However, we lack the authority to exact revenge.
According to scripture, God desires that we love our enemies and strive for peace wherever feasible. Considering this, we have the choice to escape oppression. If, however, peace is unattainable and that is not conceivable, then physical force may be used, but it must be minimum and limited to what is necessary to neutralise a danger; otherwise, it becomes retaliation.
Our battle is not against the flesh and blood, but the evil spirit.
There are many ways that we have right to defend ourselves. Let say you're just finished shopping and you're heading home. Then, you were blocked by a person wearing a mask and hoodie and it's holding a knife. It raised the knife, threatening to kill you. What will you do? You have no choice to fight, in order to save yourself. What if you killed that guy? We know one of the Ten Commandment, is not to murder. God knows why that person murdered another person.
But at the same time, we should be kind to others, even if they want us dead.
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