The False
Teaching
Men often
cite this utterance of Jesus to justify self defense by means of
arms: When
a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace;
but when
one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor
in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.(Luke 11:21,22)
To examine cases of the false teaching,
find "Luke 11:21" in the pages at the following links.
This writer says: Jesus assumed the right of a man to defend
his family by the use of his arms.
This
writer says: Mindful
that evil exists in people and not inanimate objects, He (our Lord)
exhorts us to defend ourselves
with the force of arms
This
writer says Jesus taught that it was normal
to be armed for defense.
This writer
says: The principle of self defense is taught by Jesus.
Jesus recommends arms as protection for goods and family
according to this false teaching.
|
Exposing
the Error
Gun
advocates especially are attracted to the expression, fully armed, and assume that this is Jesus' counsel
to his followers.
The context reveals the error. The strong man is Beelzebub, (Satan)
who had kept his goods in peace. But Jesus is stronger and has taken
away the strong mans armor and is dividing his spoils. Jesus uses this
example to explain how he entered into the world that had been Satan's
realm and cast out demons. But some, while recognizing this, insist that
Jesus would not have used this example had he not approved of its implications
and recommended it to his disciples.
Would Jesus have us follow the example of the dishonest steward also
(Luke 16:1-13)? Surely not! But the strong man fully armed
is a metaphor his hearers would easily understand because rulers then were
often attacking strong cities and taking them by force. This metaphor is
for one purpose only -- to explain how Jesus had entered Satan's realm and
was spoiling his goods (casting out demons).
|
Declaring
the Truth
Does Jesus
teach armed self defense? This is the quesion.
Here is the clear answer:
But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil.
But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also
(Mt.5:39)
Some say this applies
only to minor threats, not major ones that threaten life, limb or home.
Oh? Then is a killer not one
who is evil? What
amazing artifice men contrive to make Jesus say what they want! He also said,
on his way to the cross: If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.(Mt.16:24,25)
To
deny self is to refuse to defend self, or to save one's life! This
is the Great Principle that
explains what Jesus said and did. He did not defend himself, nor permit his
friends to defend him, for whoever would save his
life will lose it.
This counsel is only for the children of light. The children of this
world hear him not, nor will they. More
|