How do you feel about gun control? Or having weapons in the home in case someone breaks in? Mark and I had some interesting conversations about these issues with some friends while we were home in the States. (Thanks, Frank & Sharon!)
Mark was pondering the idea of needing a weapon in the home since break-ins are rumoured to be a bit more common in South Africa. ahem. Although we didn’t come to any definitive conclusions, one issue that we discussed, which always comes up, is the safety of having a weapon in the home, especially when there are going to be children present.
The thing about weapons is, they can often be used for good purposes, but also for evil ones. They can be useful, and they can be destructive. And it is interesting that the Word of God is often spoken of in the Scriptures as a weapon – as a sword.
Like any other object, the sword can be wielded as a weapon for good – for one’s protection or self-defence, or for evil. I don’t think examples are needed for that. But for the Word of God to be called the Sword – what does it mean, if a sword can be used for good or for evil?
Image by rbeforee @ flickr
We find one answer in Luke 4. Jesus has just headed on this seriously long spiritual retreat. He has fasted for 40 days in the wilderness – I think it was some serious ‘man’ time. And at the end of it, He was hungry. No surprise there, He was human after all. The enemy shows up on the scene with a fairly simple suggestion: “If you have all these supernatural skills, why not turn a stone into some bread and then you can eat something.â€
But Jesus has His Sword with Him – and He is aware that this is not God’s will. So He speaks to the enemy from Scripture: “Man doesn’t live just on bread. We live by God’s Word.†Which I think is basically saying, “It’s more important for us to live by God’s Word than to have something to eat.â€
The battle of intellects continues with the suggestion that Jesus worship the devil, and in return be given the kingdoms of the earth. Jesus wields the Sword again – “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.†Pretty straightforward there.
Then it gets really interesting. Satan suggests Jesus jump off the top of the temple, if He is the Son of God, because “He will tell His angels to take care of you†and “They’ll catch you, so that you don’t even stub your toe.†Slight paraphrase. Wait – what just happened? Yes, you might’ve picked up on it – the devil just wielded the Sword. He quoted Scripture, at Jesus. That was pretty bold.
Jesus’ response (wielding the Sword again): “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.â€Â Plain and simple.
The interesting thing about this last section of the conversation is an actual demonstration that the Sword – the Word of God can be wielded correctly, and incorrectly. God’s Word can be used for good, or for evil. It can be used to heal, and it can be used to kill. It can justify slavery or polygamy, and instruct us to love and forgive one another.
So Scripture, on its own, is just words on a page. We need the revelation of the Holy Spirit to rightly discern and understand Scripture, and as Jesus demonstrated, we need to let Scripture clarify Scripture for us. Satan could’ve justified Jesus’ attempted suicide with the Scripture he quoted, but Jesus rightly discerned God’s will. God tells us not to test Him. And that’s that.
While I’m still not sure what all the answers are regarding gun control or having weapons in the home, I am certain that the Word of God is true. If we are willing to rightly receive it – not to justify our own preferences, but with the intent of truly understanding the will of God – then we can rightly wield the Sword God has given us and fight the good fight we’re here to fight.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12: 2)
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I’m having a hard time trying to understand what you mean by “It can justify slavery or polygamy”? Yes, your title of your article struck my interest. So I read on to see how you were going to make a decision on purchasing a gun. I agree that the Bible is “The Sword of God.” Just help understand your thoughts of “justification”
Anthony
Thanks so much for asking that Anthony. What I mean is, sometimes people come to the text, to Scripture, with a preconceived idea of what they want it to tell them. They want the Bible to justify something they’re already doing or want to do. For example, in one of his epistles, the Apostle Paul talks about how slaves should obey their masters. (Colossians 3:22) This scripture could be used to “justify” slavery, but I think if we consider it in context, Paul was perhaps trying to protect slaves who might decide their newfound liberty in Christ was a reason to revolt. Instead, if they served faithfully, they would honour God, and receive their due reward, in time. (Joseph is a good example of this). But, if you take a look at the message of love in the Gospels — even just simply at Jesus’ answer to the question “What’s the Greatest Commandment?” He basically said, love God, and love your neighbour. If we are loving our neighbour, I think we will pay them the wages they are due. If the Egyptians loved the Israelites (Exodus 1 ff) they would not have enslaved them for hundreds of years. So, if you want to justify the position that slavery is AOK in the Bible, you probably can make a case for it. But if you seek the truth, I think you’ll come to the conclusion that enslaving another human being is not pleasing in the sight of God. We can come to the text with a desire to understand the truth, or we can come with a desire to demonstrate that the way we’re living already is ok. I think you know my opinion of which way is right! I hope that helps to explain my thoughts there! ??
And P.S. In the end I think we’ve decided we’re living in a pretty safe area, and we are going to trust God for His protection, and not buy a gun right now. I suppose I forgot to answer my own question!
Thanks Caroline! I think I know where you are coming from. I guess the polygamy part was throwing me for a loop mainly. I know that King David had many wives and several others had many wives. I can see where there would be “justification” for polygamy. Not that I agree with it now. Would Paul’s letter in 1 Corinthians 7:2 “…let everyman have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband” justify that marriage would be between one man and one woman?
Thanks again. By the way, ECU won today against Rice,49-13.
Sounds like we are on exactly the same page Anthony — yes. King David having lots of wives, or Israel for that matter, could justify polygamy, but I don’t think that’s the way God intended it from the beginning…”He created them male and female” in the Genesis story… sounds like you know it. People do justify it in Scripture, but I think if we come to the Word without the intention of getting it to justify what we want to believe, we’ll see it wasn’t God’s intention.
Yay for the Pirates! It’s Sunday morning here in South Africa and I hadn’t checked the score yet! If nothing else but for my Dad’s sake, that is great news!!!