Is it a sin?

Question

If someone is about to kill you, but you end up killing them out of self defense, is it a sin? Will you go to hell?

Answer 1

Does the Hebrew word "Ratsach" mean "kill" or "murder"? (see Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17) I believe it means "murder", as do many if not most scholars, but I encourage you to do some research.

What distinguishes murder from killing? I guess only God knows, but some say murder is premeditated and intentional. So, if someone is trying to murder you, you should try to avoid killing them, however if it happens that you do kill them in self defense, it is probably not a sin. Of course, you should still ask for forgiveness, pray that you never find yourself in another situation like that, and consult God if He is whom you fear.

Depending on your beliefs, you may be a stronger believer to let yourself be killed, and trust that we have good courts of justice (hence the Noahide Law concerning the establishment of courts of justice). We are not perfect, but we should not put our soul in jeopardy--I do not know where the line is drawn to distinguish the two.

However, I do not know this for a fact; this is my belief--my interpretation. I believe God will look at our hearts and that He will be understanding.

I strongly encourage you to check out different translations of Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17, and to read Qur'an 17:33.

Answer 2

I see this kind of question a lot, just about everywhere I go. It's as if we are supposed to find a way to avoid sinning, we cannot. That's the point of the Law of Moses, and that's the point of Jesus coming to Earth.

We are sinners. Plain and simple. It's in our nature, it's in our blood. We are born that way. We just aren't developed enough to get into the kind of trouble that we can later when we begin to age.

To your hypothetical, self-defense would be a good reason to defend yourself. I think that it is pretty plain. So no, I wouldn't consider it a sin. To a total pacifist, I think that it might be, but I am not one of those.

There are two types of people on the Earth when it comes to sin, those that have had their sins covered, and those that do not have their sins covered. The question that we must ask ourselves is: Which one am I ?

Answer 3

The definition of sin is "Anything that displeases God," with that, in mind, some sins are weakness, others are wickedness. For example fornication, sex without the benefit of marriage, is sin, the natural act a man and a woman is "Weakness," while a unnatural act a man and a man, a woman and a woman, a person and a animal, etc is "Wickedness". Both forms can cause one to go to hell, but weakness, is easier overcame then wickedness, still all things can be done by faith in the name of Jesus.

Answer 4

Typically people read the commandment as against murder, not killing. So self-defense is ok. People go to hell because of disbelief/absence of faith in Jesus and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Everyone sins. Belief in Jesus gets you into heaven. Good deeds are how you show the love of Christ on earth, some believe that good deeds (if kept to yourself in modesty) make you more priveledged in heaven. But a deep and meaningful faith in Jesus Christ is what will get you into heaven. : )

Answer 5

1. No.
2. No.
3. No.
It is a sin to murder, that is, to kill for no cause. But even so, you will not go to hell for it. You can only go to hell for rejecting God-that is the only reason. Period-end of story.

Answer 6

It is a violation to kill in self-defense. You will not go to a hell.

Answer 7

It means “to miss the mark.” Much like an archer, pointing his arrow at the bulls eye and he misses.
So to sin, means we are imperfect.
The wages of sin are death.
That is why the bible teaches that threw 1 man Adam, all had sinned.
Hell is also mankind’s common grave. There is no conscience thought in hell or in the grave.

Answer 8

Common sense dictates that the killing was in Self Defense. When you killed in self defense you didnt kill out of anger or hatred. You killed to preserve your life.

Answer 9

Yes.

Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

The sin is a form of covetness, because you would put your life before the command of God.

Luke 17:33
Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Answer 10

Defending ones self is not a sin unless you could have restrained without taking his life.