Fight for God? Are we to prepare for a physical battle? Do I need a weapon?

To all of my Christian brothers and sisters, I would like to discuss a question that seems to face most of us right now. “How are we to proceed in the battle between Good vs Evil. Are we to prepare to fight in a physical battle, or something altogether different?”

What is our role? Jesus gave His life for us… Should we give our life for Him? Shall I purchase weapons and prepare physically to go to battle? How can I best serve my God. Does this mean that I should take the life of another who is evil, and threatening my family? What does God expect of me? How shall I prepare? Please HELP me know what to do.

I have prayerfully asked this question, and have contemplated what I should do given the fast-changing events of these last days. It is my intent that you answer this question yourself after exploring these written thoughts. Our responsibility is to have a plan NOW as we discuss this concept with God in a peaceful setting, rather than wait until things actually occur right in front of us.

As followers of Christ, I can rightfully assume that we share a similarity of being peaceful and non-violent people. Our solutions in past conflicts have been handled through diplomacy, kindness, forgiveness, love, and an understanding of the other party.

We have also had many emotions and actions of defending righteousness, and have chosen to stand up for ourselves, and family members, when we have been wrongfully accused, or hurt.

I live in the state of Utah and have several guns. When I was younger, I use to hunt deer and elk in the mountains nearby. However, I gave up the “sport” because I was overcome with sorrow and empathy in taking the life of God’s beautiful creatures. I just didn’t feel right killing anything. (Hunters, please don’t judge me… this is just me and my own earthly journey. Yours might be different).

I have several hand guns, and use to conceal carry as a way to “protect” myself and others from threats. One day I asked myself, “Could I really kill someone, even if the situation was in defense of mine or someone else safety?”

These experiences have led me to study this topic through the scriptures, and with God’s council. What is right, and more so, what would God have me do in this situation. Let’s take a look at some of the bible scriptures.

Ephesians 6:10–11

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Luke 22:36

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.

Psalm 94:22

²² But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

Exodus 15:2-3:

² The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

³ The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

Proverbs 25:21

²¹ If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

Matthew 5:39

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.

Romans 12:17

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Do these scriptures generate clarity for you, or do they simply complicate the issue? Christ taught us all these wholesome character traits to help us become the people who we are today: Meek, forgiving, and the type of person who would turn the other cheek. But he also instructed His disciples in the book of Luke “ …he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

There are many interpretations of this scripture in reference to the sword. Let’s take a look at three of them:

Figurative meaning

Some say that Jesus’ command to buy a sword is figurative and refers to the persecution that would mark the beginning of the Church. This is supported by the fact that the disciples misunderstood Jesus’ figurative language when they said they already had two swords.

Call to self-sacrifice

Others say that the command to buy a sword is a call to be prepared for self-sacrifice and hardship.

Protection from bandits

Some scholars say that Jesus told the disciples to bring a sword for protection from bandits they would encounter on the road. However, Jesus later condemns Peter for using the sword inappropriately.

Wait… what? How did Peter use his sword which lead to being called out by Jesus?

I’d like for you to put yourself in the following scenario: You are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Through His teachings, He has taught you to be a better version of yourself.

You begin to develop of great love for Him… perhaps even loving Him more than yourself. This emotion is so endearing, that you are confident that you would even give up your life or freedom to protect this great heavenly man.

While traveling, you are with Jesus, and come across some people who are looking for Him. They are in His face, making threats and accusations. How would you respond?

Honestly, take a moment right now and contemplate your reaction before you continue reading on…..

Here is what happened, written in the book of John:

John 18:10-11

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

¹¹ Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

Are you surprised with the reaction of Jesus? Peter’s “unselfish” act was to protect someone that he loved dearly. He must have known that by doing this, he would be arrested or killed, yet he acted.

Jesus continued with His teachings. He knew full well that He had come to this earth to fulfill His mission of giving His life for all of us, “.. the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink?” His time had come to be sacrificed, and wanted no one to prevent what He knew that God had asked of Him.

A scripture that shed some light on this:

2 Chronicles 20:17

¹⁷ Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.

I mentioned that I would not write this article with a steadfast answer of how any of us should proceed with the question proposed. That’s one of the greatest aspects of freedom…”The ability to choose what is right for you.” But, since this has been my recent focus and dilemma, I thought that I might share the conclusion that I have made personally, for myself.

I see God as my Heavenly FATHER. The perfect Father. One who will protect me, teach and push me to be a better person. He has taken me from a broken sinner, to someone that I am happy to be. I trust Him…whole heartedly. I also live now viewing the whole picture, looking beyond this earth life. My focus has become doing those things that will please God, and prepare me to once again live with Him…. FOREVER!!!

As my protector, I feel strongly that He will rescue me from evil. I’ve concluded that if I must die as a result of representing Him, then so be it. I do not fear death, but rather see it as the graduation from earth life and onto something far greater. HOWEVER…..

I feel strongly after a great deal of praying and contemplating my future, it will be as the people fleeing Egypt, back in the days of Moses. The romans had changed their mind, and had decided to slay all of the Israelites that they had just set free. Trapped up against the Red Sea, they had nowhere else to go. They saw the soldiers coming, and must have felt an overwhelming doom. Logically, there was nothing that could be done to save them.

This same Heavenly Father that I speak of, parted the sea before their eyes… allowing the Israelites to travel to safety, while destroying the evil soldiers who had chosen to follow them into the sea. A Miricle!! This solution I can guarantee isn’t in any battle strategy book as a viable solution… and, neither is your rescue.

He will rescue us in a similar manner. “A miracle.” Rescued without the need to fight. The Rapture seems to fit nicely as a possibility of such a rescue. Does this thought touch your heart as truth? I pray that it does.

The current battle today is between good and evil. The marching orders that our Commander has given to us are to try and save as many people as we can on earth, by introducing Jesus Christ, and sharing His teachings of salvation, love and repentance. This should be our focus, while supporting our brothers and sisters who are on the correct path yet struggling with enduring to the end. That’s it.

God’s individual plan is not the same as ours. He is seeking to destroy evil. He will be cleansing the earth from all of the things that go against the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is doing this so that you and me can live with Him in PEACE, Love, Harmony, and fulfilment.

We are all seeing first hand that evil and peace can not coexist in the same environment. I thank our Father for providing such a solution as well as a place that we can peacefully dwell.

I hope that you can find your own answer. Remember, God does not expect you to physically fight for Him. He has got this battle all planned, which includes that battle of Armageddon. He has his fighters, and He will win this fight. Trust in His plan… there is peace in doing so.

I look forward to meeting all of you soon someday in “the clouds.” Perhaps I could be a housekeeper in keeping your cloud spotless. =)

All of my love,

River Wilde