The incessant drumbeat of headlines detailing yet another mass shooting is both gut-wrenching and nauseating. The growing trend of violence in our society troubles the hearts of all decent people, but as believers, we understand that this is not just a physical battle. Underneath it all, there is a spiritual war being waged between good and evil. While God has already triumphed in this conflict, the daily battle continues to rage on, leaving a trail of casualties in its wake.

It seems that every few weeks, the news cycle is dominated by another tragic mass shooting. And like clockwork, our nation goes through the same tired motions of debating gun control. However, as Christians, we must look to the Bible for guidance on this critical issue.

And as the leftist-controlled news-media gaslights gun owners, we must understand that responsible gun ownership and the right to self-defense are not complex issues, at least not as some would have us believe. In fact, the Scriptures clearly demonstrate that self-defense and defense of the innocent is not only a God-given human right but also a duty.

Let’s start with Old Testament precedent which God’s moral law, a reflection of His nature and character, tells us that those who would neutralize a threat to their life are innocent. Exodus 22:2-3 states, “If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed.” The idea here is that without being able to clearly see whether or not someone who has invaded your home poses a physical threat to you, you have the right not to take a risk to your life. You are free to take out the intruder. This passage makes it abundantly clear that people have an inherent right to what God has given them: life and the means to protect themselves and their property, even if it means using deadly force.

As Christians, it is our duty to be good stewards of the life God has entrusted to us. We have a responsibility to defend it, even if it means taking drastic measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This passage from Exodus justifies the use of deadly force if necessary, and we should not shy away from this responsibility.

Okay, but that’s Old Testament. Didn’t Jesus say to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to be willing to die for His sake? Well, yes, and no.

Jesus’s command to turn the other cheek is often misunderstood as a call to passivity and pacifism, and some may interpret it as an injunction to allow attackers to kill them. However, a closer examination of the context in which Jesus gave this command reveals a different meaning.

In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” In this passage, Jesus is addressing the practice of retaliatory justice, which was prevalent in his time. The idea was that if someone caused harm, the injured party was entitled to exact an equivalent punishment. This approach often led to a cycle of escalating violence and retaliation.

By telling his followers to turn the other cheek, Jesus was not advocating for passivity or inaction in the face of violence or aggression. Rather, he was advocating for a radical new approach to conflict resolution. Turning the other cheek was a way of challenging the attacker to consider the harm they had caused and to change their behavior. It was a way of standing up to aggression without resorting to retaliation or violence.

Not only that, but Jesus’s command to turn the other cheek was given in the context of interpersonal relationships, not in situations of imminent physical danger. In fact, there are several instances in the Bible where Jesus takes decisive action to protect himself or his disciples from harm. For example, in Luke 22:36, Jesus tells his disciples to sell their cloaks and buy swords, which suggests that he understood the need for self-defense in certain circumstances, particularly in the persecution he knew that his followers would soon be facing.

So does this mean we should be taking an aggressive, violent pre-emptive approach to persecution and danger? Let’s take a closer look at Jesus’s words in Luke 22:36, “He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'”

At first glance, this passage may seem to be advocating for an aggressive, pre-emptive approach to persecution. However, when we examine the context of the verse, we can see that it is not promoting violence, but rather, it is a call to defense—a warning to Jesus’s disciples about the impending danger that they will soon face. Essentially, Jesus is telling his disciples that they will face persecution and that they need to be prepared to defend themselves, not just spiritually, but physically.

This is not a call to arms or a call to form a Christian militia. Jesus is using a common metaphor to illustrate the need for his disciples to be prepared for danger. The sword in this passage is a symbol of preparation and readiness, not a call to violence. But it does suggest that Jesus Himself understood the need for self-defense.


A close look at the commands of the Apostle Paul also demonstrates a right to self-defense. While Paul or the New Testament never advocates for a militant uprising against authorities, on an individual and personal level, he clearly admonishes believers to provide for His family lest they be worse than an unbeliever.

In 1 Timothy 5:8, Paul says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

While this passage instructs believers to provide for their families, it’s important to understand that this duty extends beyond providing just food, clothing, and shelter—it also includes providing security. It includes protecting our families from physical harm and danger.

In today’s world, where crime rates are high, home invasions are a real threat, and mass shootings are on the news almost daily, responsible gun ownership can help us fulfill our duty to provide for our families. Owning a gun and not being afraid to use it can be a deterrent to potential criminals and can give us a sense of security knowing that we can protect our families, communities, and schools if the need arises.

Again, this passage does not promote violence or aggression, rather, it stresses the importance of protecting our families and fulfilling our duty as providers.

The Bible does not advocate for violence or aggression, but it does call for preparedness and self-defense. From God’s law, we can see that protection and defense of the innocent and being good stewards of the lives, including our own, that He has entrusted to us, is in alignment with His nature and character. It is clear that in this day and age, owning a gun and being willing to use it when necessary can help us fulfill our duty to provide for our families and protect them from harm. Ultimately, responsible gun ownership aligns with the teachings of the Bible and can help us fulfill our duty to protect and provide for our families and loved ones.