Should Christians Carry Guns?

maintenance man said:

It's Luke 22:36

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ok

‘He who lives by the sword dies by the sword’ has nothing to do with a person who would like some protection in the event they are cornered by a thug, or have a knife pulled on them. I would carry if my state allowed it.

Just a thought. The Lord Jesus also instructed His disciples to sell all they had to buy a sword, because the days of evil were upon them (Luke 22:36). The Lord protected the Apostles when He was with them, but since He was being taken from them it was also time for them to be prepared. So please get a permit. Peace in Christ.

PS: I'm not a member of the NRA and don't own any stock with gun manufacturers (except defense companies like Lockheed and Boeing).

step_by_step said:

This is not an attempt to make anyone angry or stir up anything. This is a real question that I'm struggling with in my life right now. I just want to start a friendly debate/discussion and I also don't want to include politics in this.

That being said, I'm considering getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon. It's something that I've thought about for a long time now and it's been back on the front of my mind lately. I would want to train myself so I knew how to use the weapon and when using it, I would never want to kill anyone.

But my question is, is it wrong for a Christian to carry a gun? In Matthew 26:52, Jesus warns Peter that all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Does this mean that we shouldn't arm ourselves? I personally know a few Christians who live firmly by the second amendment and therefore have lots of guns for protection. Does God frown upon this?

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There is no all-encompassing statement about carrying a weapon, but there is no prohibition against it either. I believe it is your duty to protect yourself and your family. Jesus told his disciples, "But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one (Luke 22:36)." Whatever you decide is between you and the Lord. You are free to own a gun in the eyes of the Lord. Albeit anecdotal, my pastor owns multiple guns, swords, and is trained in multiple martial arts disciplines. Let your conscience be at ease. Be blessed.

If you're ready to kill someone, then go ahead carry a gun.
But there's a reason we have police.
If someone's robbing you for money, are you're going to take a soul over that?
You give him your money, bless and pray over him in the name of Jesus.
Did Jesus carry a weapon? He had only one weapon, the word of God. Yet in every turn, someone was out to kill him.
God says, "vengeance is mine".
Now if someones going after your family, that's a different story. We can say how we'd react, but it comes down to really being in the situation.
The reality is, there's almost no situation where killing someone is the extreme.
You can take out someones legs, hands, knock unconscious, etc, before taking out their life.
There are many situations that require different actions. For example, are you defending or avenging.
If someone killed your child. And you kill the killer. Were you defending? How will killing him bring back your child.

In every situation, of everyday. The last option on your mind should be to kill.
If you're thinking of buying a gun, we know where your heart is. You could say you've already killed someone in your heart.

step_by_step said:

This is not an attempt to make anyone angry or stir up anything. This is a real question that I'm struggling with in my life right now. I just want to start a friendly debate/discussion and I also don't want to include politics in this.

That being said, I'm considering getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon. It's something that I've thought about for a long time now and it's been back on the front of my mind lately. I would want to train myself so I knew how to use the weapon and when using it, I would never want to kill anyone.

But my question is, is it wrong for a Christian to carry a gun? In Matthew 26:52, Jesus warns Peter that all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Does this mean that we shouldn't arm ourselves? I personally know a few Christians who live firmly by the second amendment and therefore have lots of guns for protection. Does God frown upon this?

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Not unless you are hunting.

step_by_step said:

I would never want to kill anyone.

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That’s what firearms are made for, killing. If you’re going to carry one then you can’t avoid the question of whether or not you would use it, assuming you aren’t talking about hunting.

section9+1 said:

I think living by the sword refers to those who always use the sword to solve their problems.

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I just checked and though I thought the scripture was "live by the sword" it may or may not mean that. Some versions suggest live by and some, just drawing the sword.

I think it may be "living by" the sword because those are more likely to die by it than someone who just carries one or keeps one in their home and are non violent.

Live by the gun means some bank robbers, gangs, or as mentioned people that use it to solve all their problems, or criminals usually but not necessarily, and it's true, they do tend to die by it.

Protecting ones self or others, isn't any of that, so go ahead and carry, you may save a life/lives, especially under certain life circumstances.

step_by_step said:

This is not an attempt to make anyone angry or stir up anything. This is a real question that I'm struggling with in my life right now. I just want to start a friendly debate/discussion and I also don't want to include politics in this.

That being said, I'm considering getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon. It's something that I've thought about for a long time now and it's been back on the front of my mind lately. I would want to train myself so I knew how to use the weapon and when using it, I would never want to kill anyone.

But my question is, is it wrong for a Christian to carry a gun? In Matthew 26:52, Jesus warns Peter that all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Does this mean that we shouldn't arm ourselves? I personally know a few Christians who live firmly by the second amendment and therefore have lots of guns for protection. Does God frown upon this?

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Well, I am for anyone being able to have/carry a gun or weapon freely as the constitution states. I have also thought of this same thing you are thinking though lol. We , as people following Christ really do not have to have a weapon to defend us. I understand that self defense and all that, but when it comes down to it, we do not need weapons. But, even if NO ONE used any weapons of any shape or form I still believe the right for people to have them if they choose, and others rights to defend themselves if they wish in whatever manner they wish. But we have God on our side to defend us, even when we do not realize it. Pray on the issue and you will know Here are some scriptures from a quick search on weapons and such. Hope you have a blessed day brother

Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.


2 Corinthians 10:4 - (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds

Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.

Romans 12:19 - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Matthew 26:52 - Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Luke 22:36 - Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Psalms 144:1 - ([A Psalm] of David.) Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight:

Isaiah 2:4 - And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.


52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

38 And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.


38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

I understand you must look at the context, and pray on to understand the scriptures so just pray on it as will I.
Me personally even though I am all for it like I said, I would not have a gun, I do think that if my loved ones life were in danger it would be tempting though, so yeah just pray on it.

Monk Brendan said:

Jesus said something like, "Those who take up the gun shall die by the gun."

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In context, it only means those who take up their cause by the sword or guns as in an armed rebellion or radicalism.

It doesn't apply in all situation.

step_by_step said:

In Matthew 26:52, Jesus warns Peter that all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

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Jesus also instructed His disciples to carry a short sword or a dagger which is clearly a weapon (Luke 22:36).

What is going on in Matthew 26:52? What Jesus meant there is NOT to take their cause in arms as in an "armed rebellion". Otherwise, it would contradict Luke 22:36.

But for self-defense is okay. Therefore, you can carry a concealed weapon for self-defense purpose as you wish!

To put this in perspective, Jesus at one point, defended Himself from death. A crowd who wanted to push Him off a cliff to kill Him. He made Himself vanish in front of them. A ninja trick? We'll never know.

Christianity is NOT a "suicide" nor a "martyrdom" cult. NOT by far. You have an honorable right to defend yourself or even run away from danger. I can show a few more verses if you want.

step_by_step said:

Like they said, it's just a tool

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This is an interesting idea and thread. I'm wondering if a handgun really is just a tool. Are we sure? If a handgun is just a tool, then a guillotine is just a tool. But I would say that a guillotine is more than just a tool, and I think everyone can at least sort of get what I mean. What I'm saying is that while it is true, that a gun just lays on the ground and does nothing by itself (a tool), it is a tool with a clear purpose. Handguns were and still are designed not for hunting, but for shooting humans at close range. Beats me. I'm 51 and just bought my first 22 cal rifle, so I know little of this subject.

No

I think if there was a gun that would certainly not kill, then it's not perhaps a bad idea to carry one. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it is wrong or right to carry a gun, but if you do carry one please be at least honest with yourself, you are more capable of taking another fellow human being life by carrying one.

mukk_in said:

Just a thought. The Lord Jesus also instructed His disciples to sell all they had to buy a sword, because the days of evil were upon them (Luke 22:36). The Lord protected the Apostles when He was with them, but since He was being taken from them it was also time for them to be prepared. So please get a permit. Peace in Christ.

PS: I'm not a member of the NRA and don't own any stock with gun manufacturers (except defense companies like Lockheed and Boeing).

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A different view of Jesus telling the disciples to buy swords, two of them in the end, was not for their protection, but to set the stage for his arrest for insurrection. So this doesn't contradict his message of non-violence as it would if the two swords were for violent self-defense against humans.

Carrying a gun for protection should never be about killing anyone. It's about stopping them. Sometimes the only way to end a threat is with another threat. "The imaginations of men's hearts is evil from their youth." I carry a gun because choose to and in this country we still have a little freedom left to legitimately do as we please without having some foreigner or ignorant busybody tell us what is best for us. I intend to kill no one, but I sure will stop them if I am forced to and that's my business. And if they die in the process of being stopped, it was their choice.

there's nothing in Scripture that says it's wrong for a Christian to defend himself or others. If you get a permit, make sure you become well trained. We live in a fallen world.

gym_class_hero said:

If you get a permit, make sure you become well trained.

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Amen! Become well trained and don't be irresponsible like this FBI agent on the dance floor!

Danthemailman said:

Amen! Become well trained and don't be irresponsible like this FBI agent on the dance floor!

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did that agent end up fired? Hope so.

You can, but whether you should is another issue altogether.