One of the 10 Commandments is "Thou shalt not kill". What chance has a soldier got to get to heaven

Answer 1

It means murder, if it didn't mean this there would not have been armies led by God in the bible. Killing in time of war is self-defense when it is kill or be killed. This is something totally different than murder.

Answer 2

This is a good question, and one that brings confusion to some. However it is easy enough to answer from the Word of God. The same God who said "Thou shalt not murder" also sent the armies of Israel out to kill people groups and nations like the Cannaanites who were corrupting the earth with their filthy sinful conduct and worship of false gods. (This concept of God's judgement is hard to understand for modern day folk as everything that the Cannaanites were doing that God hates, today's society has fully embraced, and has accepted as normal, alternative lifestyles). But the point it is obvious that "murder" and "killing" are different. Murder is killing for ones own selfish ambition and gain, like Cain did to Abel. A soldier in the army who does not have a murderous heart that loves killing, but because of neccessity has to shoot someone, is not a murderer. If he is a beleiver in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is going to heaven. As a Christian, if I were a soldier, I would have to ask myself, is the army and country that I am fighting for doing so in the will of God? If I thought not, then I would not join the army full stop. If I knew a war was accomplishing the will of God as the wars in the Old Testament did, then as a soldier I would be compelled to be a part of it. However, if I were ordered to be a part of Hitlers army who ruthlessly murdered and killed at the whim of the maniac, I would rather face prison and death for refusal to serve, as many God-fearing folk did at that time.
A soldier just as all beleivers, must walk by his conscience in this matter.

Answer 3

Non-believers frequently quote scriptures, misrepresenting them out of ignorance or to suit their own purpose. It seems none more so than "Thou Shall Not Kill". A more satisfactory English translation might be Do Not Commit Murder. The Catholic interpretation of this Commandment in terms of military service is: Is it permissible to take a life while fighting in a just war. (Baltimore Catechism).

What constitutes a "just war", and how the life is taken (IE:during battle vs killing captured and disarmed prisoners) is grounds for much discussion. In broad terms a "just war" assumes that your side is not the original aggressor, and the reason for the conflict is for the protection of a just society, or similar cause.

Answer 4

In the original Hebraic the verse was "Thou shalt not murder" soldiers are protectors and defenders. Necessary for any government to function. Heaven has Angels who purport God's will. So a soldier has as much chance as anyone to go to heaven. Does he believe and live his life for Jesus decided his entrance into heaven, not his occupation.

Answer 5

Murder is infinitely different from killing. The Bible is full of stories of God telling people to kill other people because it's his will. Either the Bible is full of poo (I'm leaning this way), or God doesn't consider all killing to be murder and thus a sin. Some killing is obviously justified. I'd say soldiers who are defending the lives of others by killing evil people to have a pretty good chance of going to heaven, if there is one.

Answer 6

Jesus healed the centurion's servant, and never criticized him for being a soldier. And he was a ROMAN soldier, too, the kind that ended up crucifying him. I guess God understands that in this sinful world some people get forced into being soldiers, either through conscription, or an urgent need to defend their countryman from aggressive invasion.

Pacifism is often a good response to an opportunity to go to war, though.

Answer 7

The Crusaders fought hard to defend the Church against barbarian invasion. Centuries ago, a war broke out between Muslims and Christians, both groups fought hard for their God. A soldier is just doing his duty to serve his country, if he won't kill the enemy then more people back home will die. They don't kill for personal resentment, they were trained to defend the country against the enemy which is a big threat to his land. Every soldier holds strong to God and his family is praying for him, he kills with God in his heart.

Answer 8

The Bible does not say "Thou shalt not kill." That is what you say. The Bible says "thou shalt not commit murder." It also says in Genesis 9:6 "Whoso seheds man's blood by man shall his blood be shed." If you want to believe the Bible believe the whole thing. Don't misquote scripture and then use your misquote to promote your own idea.

Answer 9

It depends if that soilder finds Christ somewhere down the road. Killing in the first place is wrong and shouldent be committed. What I am trying to say is that we should follow the Lords laws and avoid kiiling as much as posible. Yes, that evem means, not going to other contries barring arms with the premeditated idea of having to kill. That could greatly be avoided.

Answer 10

Heaven is being in the presence of God. Since God is Love and you cannot kill and love at the same time, you cannot be in the presence of God while killing. Therefore it seems that the soldier's chances of being in heaven is zero. However, we are told that we must not judge, only God will judge. Therefore only God knows the answer to your question.

Answer 11

I was always taught that the 10 Commandments are the 10 sins that someone in their life will undoubtedly commit.

Afterall, can you honestly say that you've never sinned against at least one of them?

However, if you follow them as much as possible, you will most likely live a righteous, valuable, and moral life.