— “God forbids the shedding of innocent blood, not the protection of innocent life.”
📖 Summary
The Bible distinguishes between murder and just killing.
- Murder = unlawful, vengeful taking of life.
- Killing = lawful, defensive, or just act to restrain evil.
God condemns revenge,
but He authorizes governments, soldiers, and defenders to protect life and uphold justice.
1️⃣ Introduction | “Are soldiers or police guilty of sin when they kill?”
The sixth commandment (“You shall not murder”) uses the Hebrew ratsach (רָצַח) —
meaning unlawful killing, not every act of taking life.
Thus, just war, law enforcement, and self-defense are distinct from sinful murder.
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation
📘 Exodus 20:13 (ESV) — Prohibits murder, not all killing.
📘 Ecclesiastes 3:8 (ESV) — “A time for war, and a time for peace.”
📘 Romans 13:3–4 (ESV) — Authorities are God’s servants for justice.
📘 Exodus 22:2 (ESV) — No guilt for defensive killing.
📘 Luke 3:14 (ESV) — John did not condemn soldiers, only corruption.
→ God permits the use of force for protection and order.
3️⃣ Theological Insights
📜 John MacArthur — The Christian and Government
“Lawful force to restrain evil is not sin but obedience.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
“The state exists to protect life and punish evil—its use of force can be moral.”
📜 John Piper — Love Your Enemies
“Public justice is an act of love; it stops evil, not to hate the sinner, but to guard the innocent.”
📜 Augustine — City of God
“A just war is not driven by hatred but by duty to restrain greater evil.”
📜 Westminster Confession, Ch. 23 (Civil Government)
“God has given rulers the authority to punish evil and defend the good.”
4️⃣ False Views vs. Biblical Truth
| False View | Problem | Biblical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| “All killing is sin.” | Ignores context | Only unlawful murder is forbidden (Ex 20:13). |
| “Military/police service is unholy.” | Confuses justice with violence | They are God’s servants (Rom 13:4). |
| “Even in defense, killing is wrong.” | Denies protection duty | Self-defense is guiltless (Ex 22:2). |
| “All war is evil.” | Naive pacifism | Just wars restrain greater evil (Eccl 3:8). |
5️⃣ Practical Framework for Moral Use of Force
1️⃣ Motive — Protection or revenge?
2️⃣ Authority — Legal duty or personal impulse?
3️⃣ Necessity — Last resort?
4️⃣ Outcome — Did it preserve life and justice?
6️⃣ Conclusion
God hates the shedding of innocent blood,
but He does not condemn the defense of the innocent.
Soldiers and officers, when acting under just authority,
serve as God’s instruments of order (Rom 13:4).
“Vengeance belongs to God,
but justice is His command to us.” — Revito
Faith. Justice. Protection. — Revito
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#ChristianEthics #JustWar #SelfDefense #Exodus2013 #Romans13 #Exodus222 #Luke314 #JohnMacArthur #RCSproul #JohnPiper #Augustine #WestminsterConfession #ReformedTheology #FaithJusticeProtection #Revito
