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Hello, Church Family!
One of the questions I've been frequently asked is whether it's permissible for Christians to kill someone in self-defense or to participate in military professions.
At first glance, this question seems straightforward. However, digging deeper, we discover how nuanced and important it is to approach Scripture carefully and accurately.
At the heart of this issue is Exodus 20:13, typically known as the Sixth Commandment. Depending on your Bible translation, this familiar commandment reads either "Thou shalt not kill" or "Thou shalt not murder."
Understanding why there is a distinction here is crucial for how we, as Christians, faithfully live out God's commands.
Why is translation so critical? Quite simply, how we interpret this single Hebrew word ("ratzákh") has profound implications for our understanding of morality, justice, and our calling as Christians in society.
As English speakers, we recognize the difference instantly between the general concept of killing and the morally weighted term "murder."
"Killing" describes the general act of ending a life, which can occur for many reasons—some morally justifiable, like self-defense or wartime action, and some clearly sinful, like premeditated murder.
"Murder," however, specifies intent, guilt, and an unlawful act of taking human life.
When we turn to the original Hebrew text, God is specifically commanding against unlawful, unjustified, intentional killing—what we define today legally as murder.
The ancient Hebrew word "ratzákh," consistently used throughout both biblical and extra-biblical Hebrew documents, clearly carried this moral connotation.
Therefore, to faithfully represent God's intent, Exodus 20:13 is best understood as "Thou shalt not murder," rather than a blanket prohibition on all killing.
Why does this matter practically?
Consider a scenario wherein a believer is forced to defend themselves or their family from a life-threatening attacker. Are they sinning if lethal force is necessary? According to a proper reading of Scripture, the answer is clearly "no."
We find explicit biblical support for justified self-defense. Exodus 22:2 affirms this: if a thief is killed while breaking into a house at night, "the defender is not guilty of bloodshed." This establishes a clear biblical precedent for the legitimacy of protecting oneself and one's loved ones.
But what about serving in the armed forces? Does military service amount to violating the commands of Exodus 20:13? Historically and biblically, this dilemma is not new. Even John the Baptist encountered soldiers seeking spiritual direction.
His response to them, recorded in Luke 3:14, is revealing: "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."
Notice that John doesn't instruct these soldiers to forsake their profession or lay down their arms but instead encourages them to act honorably and justly.
The implication here—in line with traditional Christian teaching—is that soldiering itself is not inherently sinful, provided it is pursued justly and honorably.
Of course, even with the biblical permission for justified force, we must remember that peace is always God's ideal. As the Southern Baptist Faith and Message clearly teaches, Christians have a sacred duty to actively pursue peace, reconciliation, and the practical application of Christ’s law of love.
War, violence, and conflict are ultimately products of a fallen world, distant from God’s original intent. Christians should continually labor to promote peace so far as it depends on us.
Still, Scripture recognizes that we live in a broken world, where innocence must sometimes be protected, and justice sometimes requires force.
While we must advocate earnestly for lasting peace and reconciliation, Christians may, without violating biblical ethics, utilize force in restrained, justified ways—such as self-defense or honorable service in the armed forces.
Brothers and sisters, we are called to both represent God’s grace-filled heart for peace and to faithfully steward the responsibilities of protecting innocent life and justice. Let’s navigate these difficult distinctions with humility, wisdom, and above all, a constant orientation toward God's Word and His purposes.
As always, I'm here to explore and discuss deeper if you have any questions or concerns.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Justin
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