During this time of war in Ukraine, it is tempting to want to agree with the concept of helping those who are being oppressed through violence, by using violence ourselves, but this is a sin. At no time, are Christians permitted to use physical violence. Not in the instance of self defense, nor in defending someone else who is being physically attacked.
Biblically speaking, it is not right to attempt to correct a wrong with another wrong. Our goal as Christians, is not to sin. When Jesus was being wrongfully arrested, Peter made an attempt to defend him with violence. Then Jesus makes a very telling statement:
Matthew 26:52 – Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Jesus did not rebuke Peter’s action of defending him just so prophecy could be fulfilled of the Messiah’s death. In his rebuke of Peter, Jesus used the word “all”. This means that “all” who take up the sword in violence, even to defend an innocent person (like Jesus), will die by the sword. By the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, they will be condemned to the second death of hell, for this violent action.
Ephesians 6:17 – Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The scriptures do not instruct us to defend ourselves or others using violence.
Romans 12:17 & 19-21 – Do not repay anyone evil for evil….19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
In fact the scriptures go beyond this and instruct us not only to refrain from hurting our enemy, but also to be kind to them. Paul is quoting the Old Testament scripture.
Proverbs 25:21-22 – If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
By being kind to your enemy, you are transferring the onus of the sin unto them. Thus, relinquishing yourself from the sin.
Proverbs 24:17-18 – Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
We must keep ourselves free from sin, ‘leaving the ball’ in the other person’s court. They must make their own decision regarding their sin and conduct.
Obadiah 1:12-13 – You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble. 13 You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor gloat over them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.
The point is to relinquish ourselves from sin.
Job 31:28-30 – This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above. 29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, Or lifted myself up when evil found him 30 (indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for a curse on his soul);
The scriptures instruct us to be kind to our enemy and to even assist them, if need be. This concept can be found in the Old Testament.
Exodus 23:4-5 – “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
2 Kings 6:22 – “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
2 Chronicles 28:15 – The men designated by name took the prisoners, and from the plunder they clothed all who were naked. They provided them with clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing balm. All those who were weak they put on donkeys. So they took them back to their fellow Israelites at Jericho, the City of Palms, and returned to Samaria.
Jesus specifically speaks about this concept:
Matthew 5:38-48 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 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. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
It is clear that the Bible does not give us the right to use violence in self defense or to save an individual who is being abused or attacked.
Revelations 13:9-10 – If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Those who kill with the sword shall be judged according to the word of God (the sword of the Spirit).
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
They will be judged to the second death.
Revelation 2:11 – Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
And as God’s people, we must have the faith and patience not to commit the sin of violence, out of revenge, regardless of whether it was on our behalf or on behalf of others who were being victimized by the wicked (meaning he who killeth with the sword).
Sin takes place here on earth but the discipline takes place in the age to come.
Jeremiah 15:2 – And if they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.’
Jeremiah 43:11 – He will come and attack Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword.
These scriptures are clearly stating that only God has the right to decide a person’s destiny. We as human beings, have the power to alter our own destinies and others (eg. through suicide or murder) but this is a sin in the eyes of God. Only God has the right to decide our destinies.
We are not to interfere with the destiny of people by using (sin) violence to save them. Even the worldly law states that we must not take the law into our own hands. Instead, we are to be a witness against the crime in a court of law. The police and courts are responsible for deciding and administering the punishment for the perpetrator of the crime, not us.
John 7:51 – Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”
We are not allowed to administer punishment and discipline without first knowing all the facts based on evidence and witnesses. This is for the law courts to decide, not us as individuals.
Breaking God’s commandments to discipline another who has done the same, does not make it right. It is still a sin for both sides. For example, to physically beat someone who was beating another is a sin.
Romans 2:1-3 – You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
An example of this concept that Paul is speaking of can be found in the book in Acts:
Acts 23:2-3 – At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
There are three points to note here. One, although Paul was physically struck, he did not strike back. Instead, he leaves the discipline to God. Here is another example of this:
2 Timothy 4:14 – Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done.
Secondly, Paul confirms the concept that striking someone is against God’s law. Thirdly, we cannot judge someone for using violence, which is against God’s word, and then use violence ourselves (which is against God’s word) in order to rectify it. We must be like Paul and wait for God to Judge and discipline the sinner. This is spoken of many times in the Old and New Testament.
1 Thessalonians 4:6 – Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.
Hebrews 10:30-31 – For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 – God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
Ezekiel 25:17 – I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I take vengeance on them.’”
Deuteronomy 32:43 – Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.
Nahum 1:2 – The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.
Deuteronomy 32:34-36 – “Have I not kept this in reserve and sealed it in my vaults? 35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” 36 The Lord will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free.
Romans 12:14, 17-21 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Proverbs 24:29 – Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
Proverbs 20:22 – Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
Leviticus 19:18 – Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Revelation 6:10 – They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”
1 Samuel 24:12 – May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.
We must follow the example of Jesus:
1 Peter 2:23 – When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
Jesus states that the world’s kingdoms and its citizens use violence as a form of self defense and in defense of others, but not the citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
John 18:36 – Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Even if Jesus did need assistance, he would not expect man to assist with violence, he would appeal to God.
Matthew 26:53 – Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
As followers of Christ, we also are not of this world, and so we do not abide by the world’s ways. We follow the word of God.
John 17:14 & 16 – I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world…16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
Our citizenship is of the kingdom of heaven.
Philippians 3:18-20 – For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
When we set our minds on greed when it comes to land and revenge regarding war, we are living as enemies of the cross of Christ and destining ourselves to destruction.
We must not act or react as the world does.
Colossians 3:2, 7-10, 12-14 – Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator…12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
We must listen to and obey the teachings of the apostles and Jesus, and not the ways and philosophies of the world.
1 John 4:5 – They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.
John 3:31 – The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
There is a saying in the world that “two wrongs don’t make a right”. If someone decides to break God’s commandment, it does not mean that we are then allowed to break God’s commandment in response. Our goal must always be to turn away from committing evil and sin. There is no scripture in the Bible that charges us with the duty of protecting people who are being abused by using violence. We can speak against it and not approve of it. We can bear witness in court. We can even shelter the victim using our own bodies and share in the beating, but in no way, can we use physical violence against the attacker(s).
All of the apostles died violent deaths, yet no other believer ever came to their aid using violence. There are various accounts of the Apostle Paul being assaulted and abused, but at no time did anyone physically come to his aid using violence.
Acts 14:19 – Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
Again, Paul is assaulted:
Acts 16:19 – When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
Yet no Christian interferes using violence, nor does Paul expect such protection. This would be a sin, as violence is not part of the kingdom of heaven. It is not up to us to save someone who is being attacked. If someone is breaking God’s commandments, we shouldn’t be rectifying the matter by also breaking His commandments.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was also not rescued using violence.
Acts 7:54-60 – When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
When Stephen was being stoned, he did not fight back nor did he curse his attackers. He prayed for his attackers instead, just like Jesus.
Luke 23:34 – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
During the stoning, the Apostle Paul was present. As this event took place before Paul’s conversion to Christianity, Paul was supporting the members of the Sanhedrin who were stoning Stephen. Paul did not physically use violence against Stephen. That was not his sin. Paul’s sin was approving of the stoning of Stephen and assisting in his murder by watching over the garments of the others.
Acts 22:20 – And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
Acts 8:1 – And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
This also happened with Jason:
Acts 17:5-9 – But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.
No believer physically came to Jason’s defense, since using violence to do so would have been a sin.
We must understand that the attacker must be judged by God for his actions and we should not incur judgement on ourselves by reacting with violence. Once again, none of this precludes us from sheltering the person by getting in the way and taking the beating ourselves. Or speaking against it and possibly being assaulted or killed in the process. There is nothing stopping us from calling for help, calling the police, or being a witness in court but we are prohibited from using physical violence of any kind. This is a sin.
In a way, we feel that it is easier to die fighting than just being killed. For at least with fighting back, there is hope of living and avoiding embarrassment, humiliation and long suffering. This is seen through the actions of Peter.
Matthew 26:35 – But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
John 13:37 – Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Mark 14:29 & 31 – Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
Luke 22:33 – But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
Peter’s intention was genuine since no one would cut off someone’s ear and not be afraid of repercussions in the form of death or prison.
Matthew 26:51 – With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
John 18:10 – Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
John 18:26 – One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”
Peter was willing to die fighting but when Jesus spoke against this violence, Peter reevaluated things:
Matthew 26:52 – “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
When Peter realized that he must suffer without fighting back, like Jesus was doing, he became afraid and denied knowing Jesus.
Matthew 26:67-75 – Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Peter Disowns Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Mark 14:53-54, 65-72 – They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire…Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him…66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
John 18:15-27 – Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.
He replied, “I am not.”
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Luke 22:54-62 – Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”
57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Luke 22:63-65 – The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. 64 They blindfolded him and demanded, “Prophesy! Who hit you?” 65 And they said many other insulting things to him.
John 19:1-3 – Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.
There may be more comfort to die fighting. We may save ourselves from a long drawn out torturous death. Although fighting back allows us the hope that we could survive and avoid humiliation and embarrassment, this is wrong according to the Bible. Peter realized that his thinking of dying in battle (not going down without a fight) was wrong. He then became fearful to die a martyr’s death; one of murder, not self defence or any hope of being saved by someone.
It is important to understand that we cannot correct a sin with another sin. What Putin and the Russian people are doing to Ukraine is wrong and sinful. However, we are not to participate, counsel or encourage violence against oppressors, as this would be a sin. It is our duty as Christians, to speak out against both the oppressor’s sin and the sin of those who believe in violence to solve violence. God has not granted any exceptions to use violence for good. This would be a contradiction in His word.
Supporting Russia’s actions against Ukraine is wrong. Likewise, it is wrong to join or even support a war against Russia due to the evil they are committing. We must not approve of evil and we should expose darkness and lies about God’s word, wherever we see it.
Ephesians 5:10-11 – and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
John 3:20 – Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Acts 26:18 – to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Romans 13:12 – The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Using physical violence to stop physical violence is a sin.
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