On another SDA forum which I'm a member of we got into a discussion about the Biblical basis of self defense. I was surprised to learn there are those who do not believe we should ever fight an attacker, even in the case where our family or spouse was being brutalized by a criminal. They back their ideas up with Biblical verses and Mrs. White. Any thoughts on this?

Redfog

For myself, I have come to the conclusion that I would not try to injure someone else in order to save myself or someone else. I believe that prayer for protection would enable angels to do battle for me--and I mean that figuratively. The belief in a protecting God is so liberating and gives me a feeling of peace in even the most scary situations.

A personal testimony--

Some years ago I used to take walks in my urban neighborhood after dark. This was a very safe, well-to-do area with lights and sidewalks and others walking. I never felt threatened in 18 years of doing this...until...once when I was walking next to a lake and was coming up to a dark curve with no nearby houses. As I was nearing this place, I could hear the thumping of bass on someone's radio, and a car with dark windows came around the curve and drove very slowly by me. I turned left up a road to avoid the dark area and noticed the car coming back and headed around the curve again, again very slowly.

I started getting a bit panicky, because I knew he could head me off at the next street corner. I started praying for protection and turned to go back. The dark-windowed car did cross the street I had been headed toward and then I absolutely knew that I was being stalked. Mind you, all of this happened within a minute or two--it was happening much faster than I can tell it!

There were two big houses nearby and I pondered whether to go to one of their doors and ask for help. Just then, another car drove right up in front of me, and the driver, a nice woman rolled down her window and asked, "Do you need help? I think you're in danger. Can I give you a lift?"

Of course, I jumped right in and took her offer to drive me home. She told me that as she was pulling out of her driveway, she saw me and the car slowly going by me, so she decided to drive around the block to see if she could help.

To me she was like an angel, but even though she probably wasn't, I know God sent her to save me in a dangerous situation. After that, I never walked at night again, and I have never doubted God's protecting presence in my life.

We don't need guns, knives, martial arts or anything else to protect us as long as we have prayer. God protects His own if we trust in Him.

Psalm 32:7

[ April 23, 2005, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: V. Hahn ]

I moved this topic into the Christian Living forum.

I've always felt that our first defense should be prayer and trust in God. However I also feel that it is Biblical to use force if need be to protect ourselves and our family. Indeed if my family were to be in harms way and I did nothing to prevent an attack would I not be partly responsible for their injuries or deaths? Jesus said greater love has no man than that he lay down his life for his friends. He also said in the old testament that if a thief breaks into your house and you kill him defending your place you will be blameless in his death. At the same time Jesus is our example and He did not fight back.

V. Hahn I wonder if that lady who picked you up could have been an angel?

Redfog

It's very possible. After the incident I was very hyped and called the police to report it and everything.

Now I look back on it, I could kick myself for not going back later to that lady's house and thank her again for what she did for me. It's been 8 years now and I live in a different state, so I guess I'll never know if she really lived where I think she lived or if it was truly an angel. God sent her, so she was an angel to me! I guess I'll have to add that to my list of questions to ask my angel when I get to heaven!

I would be interested in hearing about more miraculous interventions!

Vicki

You may live in a different state but hey, at least it's a good one!

Redfog
Cedar Lake

I wonder what we would do in the time of trouble.

I see a fundamental difference in defending ones self from common criminals intent on murder, rape and mayhem and the time of trouble when we will be hunted down and put on trial for our faith. When we are persecuted for our beliefs God will be our only defense, fighting back, except for fleeing, will be futile.

At all times avoidance is the preferred defense either now or in the time of trouble. Our God is an awesome God that can protect us in many ways, and one of those ways, IMO, is providing the means for us to stand up to criminals and use whatever it takes to defend ourselves and loved ones from danger. Mind you I have never had to do this and take measure to ensure I don't, however if need be I have the means.

By living modestly in the country we can avoid most bad situations and it is also a lifestyle that is more in tune with the Creator. As a avid backpacker I think it will be easier to flee to the "mountains" in the last days though we are told we will not be able to take anything, like a pack, with us.

Redfog