Resisting Evil - How Much Should We Do?

Resisting Evil - How Much Should We Do?

Main Verses

Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder.

Exodus 21:12-17; 22:18-20 Death penalty given for certain sins.

Joshua 8:1-8 God authorized destruction by war.

1 Samuel 15:2-3 God authorized punishment by war.

Matthew 5:38-48 Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ... Love your enemies.

Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you. and if anyone takes what belongs to you. do not demand it back.

Romans 13:1-7 Government is established by God to punish evil.

1 Peter 2:13-14 Authorities are instituted by God to punish wrongdoers.

The Questions

Jesus Christ taught us and showed us that God is love. Jesus did not abolish the Old Testament LAW (Matthew 5:17). However, compared to what the law said. Jesus’ teachings were deeper and more spiritual. The law dealt with people’s outward behavior, but Jesus looked at what people thought in their hearts. He took many points of the law and made them harder by demanding love in addition to justice.

For example, the law condemned murder, but Jesus condemned anger and hate in one’s heart (Matthew 5:21-22). The law condemned adultery, but Jesus condemned lust in one’s heart (Matthew 5:27-28). The law commanded us to love our neighbor, but Jesus commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43- 47). The law forbade excessive personal revenge, but Jesus forbade revenge al- together. He said. “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well” (Matthew 5:39-40). Jesus also said, “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back” (Luke 6:30). He added, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31).

Many questions arise about resisting evil. Are we never to resist evil? May we never use force to oppose those who are doing wrong? Paul and Peter said that government authorities are ordained by God to punish wrongdoers, and that they do not bear the sword for nothing (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Are societies and governments also commanded never to use violence or harm any person? If so, can a Christian be a member of the police and use a gun or club to fight criminals? Can a Christian be a judge in the courts and give sentences of physical punishment or even the death penalty? Can a Christian be a member of the armed forces and fight in war?

The First View: No One Should Ever Resist Evil

Many Christians believe that no one under any circumstances should use force to resist those doing evil. Jesus asked us to follow Him (Mark 8:34-35) and gave us His example of humble servanthood (Mark 10:42-45). We are commanded to follow Christ in His suffering (1 Peter 2:19-24). Paul says we are not to take revenge, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:15). Peter says the same, telling us to return cursing with blessing (1 Peter 3:8-9). These Christians believe that the law was fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17), whose moral way of love is more difficult, but higher. Since Jesus changed the Old Testament law to a “law of love” (Romans 13:10), what was allowed in the Old Testament by God cannot be used as the standard for Christians today.

Therefore, these Christians do not think that believers can be soldiers in the army to fight and kill other human beings. They point out that the source of war is sin (James 4:1-4), and that all who draw the sword will die by the sword (Matthew 26:52). They note that the early wars in the Old Testament were mostly fought by God Himself, with very little help from the ISRAELITES (Exodus 14:1314,24-28; Joshua 5:13-15; 6:1-5; Judges 4:14-15; 7:2-7,22). And later wars not authorized by God were condemned by the prophets, who warned the Israelites to depend on God, not on armies (Isaiah 31:1-3; Zechariah 4:6). Even in the Old Testament, God’s highest standard was clearly for man to be peaceful. For example, DAVID’S request to build the temple of God was denied him because his hands had been bloodied in war (1 Chronicles 28:3).

Consistent with this view of war, most of these Christians believe that the death penalty is wrong also. In addition to verses about not resisting evil (Matthew 5:39), these Christians point to Jesus’ refusal to stone the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11). Therefore, many of these Christians think that a Christian should not be a judge or member of the government, since then he would have to “bear the sword” to punish wrongdoers and would have to decide when to give the death penalty and when to go to war. They believe that a Christian cannot be a member of the police either, since a policeman may have to use physical violence or even kill a criminal to protect society. These believers point out that we are citizens of heaven, not of earth (Philippians 3:20), and that we are called to a life of peace (Hebrews 12:14). Although these Christians refuse to be a part of government themselves, they do submit to their country’s government. For example, they pay taxes, and they pray for government authorities (Mark 12:13-17; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-17).

The Second View: Only Those in Authority Should Resist Evil

Many other Christians interpret these sayings of Jesus differently. These Christians believe that Jesus’ words must be followed by every individual believer in his personal life, but that Jesus was not talking about governments or about policemen and other officials doing their public duty. If we as individual believers are hurt by a “brother” or an “adversary,” Jesus tells us to get rid of our anger and “be reconciled” to our brother and “settle matters” with our adversary (Matthew 5:22-26). If we as individuals are slapped by someone, we should not fight back or seek revenge, but rather we should show him our love by “turning the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-41). As individuals we should be ready to give or lend to whoever asks (Matthew 5:42), even if they are our enemies (Luke 6:35). According to this second view, these sayings of Jesus refer to private individuals only.

These Christians say further that Jesus was speaking to private individuals in an unarmed nation. He would have been thinking of the daily arguments of village life. Jesus’ hearers would not have applied His words to the police or army. According to this viewpoint, these authorities must resist evil. Further, these Christians say, if the authorities do wrong, it is good to resist them as well. There are three examples of resisting authorities in the New Testament. First, Jesus Himself showed anger and resisted evil physically when He cleared the temple with a whip and overturned the money tables (John 2:13-16). Second, Jesus protested an illegal slap on the cheek during His own court case (John 18:19-23). And Paul resisted evil to his own person by appealing to a higher court (Acts 25:11). Because of these examples, these Christians believe that we also should resist evil in this way.

Regarding war, this group of Christians recognize the sinfulness of war, but they note that Paul approves of the government’s use of the “sword” to punish wrongdoers (Romans 13:4). John the Baptist was asked by soldiers what they must do to show true repentance, and he told them to be content with their pay; he did not tell them to leave the army (Luke 3:14). These Christians distinguish between those things, on the one hand, that are allowed by God in the Old Testament law but which Jesus said we should no longer do, such as divorce (Matthew 5:31) and oaths (Matthew 5:33); and on the other hand those things which God specifically ordered in the Old Testament, which they believe Jesus did not deny, such as the judicial death penalty or war in a just cause (Numbers 31:1-7; Joshua Chapters 6-8; Judges 4:14-16; 7:2-22; 1 Samuel 15:2-3). John’s vision presents Jesus at the end time as a warrior leader coming to destroy completely those who fight with God (Revelation 19:11-19). Therefore, although these Christians recognize that most wars are unjust and wrong, they believe certain wars are necessary and “just.” Most of these Christians believe that the death penalty is still allowed as well. Even in the New Testament, God used Peter to pronounce death on two people trying to tell a falsehood to God (Acts 5:1-10). They believe that war or the death penalty is not God’s perfect will, but that God still requires it to prevent certain injustices or to show the seriousness of certain sins.

Regarding participation in government, these Christians point to Paul’s instructions to submit to the government and to its laws and taxes (Romans 13:17). Even though the Roman emperor at the time was a vicious persecutor of Christians, Paul said that the authorities are established by God, and that they are God’s servants (Romans 13:1,4,6). Tax collectors do not have to leave their jobs, but must collect fair taxes (Luke 3:12-13; Romans 13:6-7). These Christians believe that it is good for believers to be members of the government or police in order to encourage the government and police to follow God’s way of justice, and to show mercy when appropriate. They say that Christians should be a “light” in government (Matthew 5:14-16). Although as individuals they should not “fight back” to get revenge or protect their own interests, as members of the police or government they should help to see that wrongdoers are punished and the interests of others are protected.

The Third View: Evil May Be Resisted by Private Individuals Also

A third group of Christians believe that any person can resist an evil person, with violence if necessary. These Christians believe that when Jesus gave these teachings about resisting evil, He did not intend that they be applied in every situation. These Christians say that there are obvious exceptions, which Jesus’ hearers would have understood without being told. For example, if a drunkard tries to murder an innocent victim, he should be resisted in any way possible. They further point out that it is not good for children to be allowed to slap or insult their parents, or when they grab one sweet to be given a second sweet also. These Christians believe that there are many examples like these in which God wants all of us to resist evil.

These Christians also believe that individuals can resist major criminal violence, even if it is one’s own interests that are being threatened. They believe that some sayings of Jesus are hyperbolic statements designed to make the teaching more vivid and emphatic, but are not meant to be taken literally, as in Matthew 5:29-30. They note that the typical teacher of Jesus’ time used such hyperboles frequently. They agree that Christians should not fight or quarrel with others, even when challenged (Matthew 5:39). But, they say, if someone is trying to do permanent damage to us or is trying to kill us, we are allowed to fight back to save ourselves. They agree that Christians should do good to their enemies and be merciful by giving to others anything they truly need (Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:3036). But they do not believe that we must give all of our money or property away if someone who is not in need asks for it or tries to steal it.

These Christians accept all the arguments of the second view (mentioned above) about participation in the police, the army, and the government. They believe that such participation is not only acceptable, but may also be God’s will as well.

Some Christians may decide that some ideas from all of these three main views are correct. Each Christian should come to a decision about these questions only after thorough Bible study, meditation, and prayer, and with the help of the Holy Spirit. Through all of church history, mature spiritual Christians have differed on these questions. The Bible does not give definite answers to these questions. Whatever view we hold ourselves, we should not condemn another for holding a different view, nor should we fight over these issues.

Persecution—Our Response

Related to the question of resisting evil is the question of persecution of believers. Persecution is the suffering inflicted on us by other people because of our good actions or because of our faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:10-11; Luke 6:22; 1 Peter 2:20). The New Testament teaches that all Christians will be persecuted in some way (Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12; 2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus also taught us how to respond to persecution as Christians. He told us not to be afraid (Matthew 10:26), but to rejoice (Matthew 5:10-12). Paul said that he delighted in persecution, because then he could experience God’s GRACE, which was always sufficient to enable him to bear anything (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). However, Jesus also told us to be as shrewd as snakes and to be on (our) guard (Matthew 10:16-17).

Regarding the persecutor, we are instructed to bless and … not curse those who persecute us (Romans 12:14), and to love … and pray for them (Matthew 5:44). We also will be brought before government officials in courts and prisons, but we are not to worry beforehand about what to say, because Jesus through the Holy Spirit will teach us at the time what to say (Mark 13:9-11; Luke 21:12-19).

Jesus did not tell us to fight when we are attacked for our faith in Him. Just before His own arrest Jesus said to His disciples to buy swords (Luke 22:3538), but He did not allow them to use their swords to defend Him (Luke 22:51). Rather, He warned them that those who take the sword will die by it (Matthew 26:52). Most Christians think that believers who are being persecuted because of their faith in Jesus should never defend themselves by violent means.

Summary

Whatever we think about some of these difficult sayings of Jesus, all Christians agree that we should live in peace as much as we are able (Hebrews 12:14). We all look forward to the future day when the Lord’s kingdom is established on earth, when men will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3). Meanwhile, if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).