Is it sinful?

Question

Hi, I'm a Christian and proud of it. Anyway, a thought suddenly hit me which I have no assumption or answer to.
Is it sinful for a Christian police or soldier to kill a person when they are in a situation where they have to shoot a person because it's their jobs? Please answer me.

Answer 1

It is not just their job that obligates them to use lethal force at times, but, it is their responsibility to innocent people not to allow these perpetrators or enemies to kill or harm others.

So, no, it is not sinful because God admonishes us to "obey the laws of the land" as he understands it is necessary to have social order to protect innocent people from those who would prey on them if allowed to do so.

Answer 2

Many people make the mistake of believing the Bible says, “You shall not kill,” and seek to apply this command to war. However, the Bible actually says, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). The Hebrew word literally means “the intentional, premeditated killing of another person with malice.” God often ordered the Israelites to go to war with other nations (1 Samuel 15:3; Joshua 4:13). God ordered the death penalty for numerous crimes (Exodus 21:12; 21:15; 22:19; Leviticus 20:11). So, God is not against killing in all circumstances, but rather only murder. War is never a good thing, but sometimes it is a necessary thing. In a world filled with sinful people (Romans 3:10-18), war is inevitable. Sometimes the only way to keep sinful people from doing great harm is by going to war with them.

Answer 3

No. Unfortunately many believe that it is a sin to kill another human. This erroneous idea comes from those English translations that render the Hebrew word ' rasah ' as kill, as in the 10 commandments. This is not what is meant. The proper English word would be "murder", which does mean "kill", but "without cause". A police officer or a soldier who kills anyone in their lawful line of duty has not sinned. Indiscriminate killing of people or animals is a grave sin.

Answer 4

no! it is not! a poiceman has a duty to defend himself if his life is threatened! if confronted by a violent suspect, lethal force has to be used, and there is no way it is considered to be a SIN! LOOK AT THE OLD TESTAMENT, IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS! people were executed all the time for their heresies! of course, christians live under the grace of jesus now, but if a christian person is in military or a cop, and needs to kill someone, it is part of the job, and they are doing socciety a favor, actually by killing a person who just would have gone on to kill an innocent person, such as a child!

Answer 5

In Jesus day the police were the Roman soldiers. When Jesus encountered them he never told them they would have to quit their jobs. In fact, he said of one centurion. "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel" (Luke 7:9). The Bible also says that "he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer" (Rom 13:4). The sword was the gun of that time. No, it is not wrong to kill the bad guy.

The Commandment is "Thou Shalt Not Murder," not "Thou Shalt Not Kill." If we couldn't kill anything we'd starve to death. So there is a difference between killing and murder. God sent Israel to war, and God commands the death penalty for murderers (Genesis 9:6).

I don't get Misty's comment. Does she think that religion ought to be mindless? Christianity is a thoughtful religion in which God wants us to ask and to find answers. Otherwise, what would a biblically ignorant cop do in this situation?

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Mat 7:7)

Keep asking.....

Answer 6

Good question.... I don't think a soldier or police officer killing someone in the line of duty is the same thing as a murderer senselessly slaughtering someone. I base my thought on the fact that, long after GOD gave the commandment, "Thou shalt not kill," he gave the order to King David for the armies of Israel to "...utterly destroy" several nations of their Godless enemies.

(P.S. to Misty..... the Bible tells us in the book of James, that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ASK..... it doesn't mean that we have doubts about our beliefs, only that we are anxious to learn all we can about what we believe!) Peace and blessings to ya!

Answer 7

To understand the commandments fully, you have to dig deep and study the meaning of the ancient scripts and language. The original or better meaning of the commandment is "thou shalt not commit murder."

Lots of things in the scripture need clarification by probing, searching and study of the past languages and culture.

Answer 8

I am Pagan and proud, anyway, in YOUR religion it is hypocritical and sinful to kill anyone. And it is also playing God to decide to take a life. Plant a tree and give back the air your took from a human.

Answer 9

Romans 13 -- notice the purpose for which God ordains governments and they fulfill this purpose by use of the sword (a means of enforcement as well as punishment). But God will also judge and hold responsible those who are entrusted with this authority.

Answer 10

If they are shooting someone to defend their country in a just war then it is not sinful. If you are a policeman and you shoot someone to prevent them from killing other people because you know that they will It's not sinful because you keeping them from hurting more innocent people.