So how does a Christian justify serving in the military?

Question

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 .For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to [what we are in the] flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. . .

(Ephesians 6:12) . . .because we have a wrestling, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.

World rulers as in Satan and his demons (2 Corinthians 4:4)

(Ephesians 2:2) . . .in which YOU at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.

Do not the mentioned scriptures reveal that it is not fleshly war we wage but a spiritual warfare against the dark forces of Satan.

Nice try gelfling but some of those laws are under the jewish law which Christians are no longer under.
And some of the other scriptures were not literal sayings to actually go and kill.

Me, since when did God give you the say that you had to protect your country which Satan is it's invisible ruler as found in 2 Corinthians 4:4 and the kingdoms that Satan offered Jesus for an act of worship.

mt_pelio, yes Ceasars things to Ceasar but also God's things to God.

Acts 5:29 You must obey God as ruler rather than men.

But Squid have you not read 1Corinthians 10:20 but I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God.

You cannot confuse old Jewish laws and actions to what Jesus commanded.

Answer 1

Jesus taught us to love your neighbours and your enemies.

A Christian is someone who follows in the footsteps of Christ so he or she must imitate Jesus so involving yourself in patriotic and national interests is not keeping to the counsel of keeping apart from the world.

You cannot slave for two masters as Jesus said as you would love the one but hate the other.
The scriptures do stand for what they are and plentiful enough thus giving the strong message that no, a christian doesn't concern him or herself with national interests.

Paying things to Ceasar doesn't supercede God's command to keeping apart from the world which is under the influence of the wicked one, Satan the Devil.

Answer 2

alleninthehills, what? show me where in the Bible you must serve for your flag?

Most wars happen because politicans were corrupt and did the wrong things in the first place.

We supply Saddam Hussein and Bin laden with weapons when it suits us then expect it to suddenly be Christian to go and fight them when the tables are turned.
Most wars are caused by corrupt rulership usually on both sides of the fence.
Further, most casualties are the innocent civilians not the soldiers. The 20th Century and this century has been nothing but a blood bath.

The Jews had an army but they were also a nation of God's chosen people. It ain't like that anymore since all people of the world can become Christian no matter where. God has no favoured nation. When the Jews went to war it was God that did the actual fighting. The victories were swift and sweet.
The wars we fight are bloody, long, costly and destroys so many millions of innocent lives. Nothing like the battles God fought with the Jews.

God does not salute your flag, man!

Answer 3

first of all Rome become a rustic that compelled human beings to be a area of it. The emperors additionally proclaimed themselves to be GOD. So pondering those 2 data by way of fact of this they did not serve. Christians have been killed and persecuted via Rome for some years that become probable a ingredient too. Christians won't serve in a warfare the place the army they're going to connect is going out and forces human beings to positioned up to their will. in spite of the fact that if that's how ever to take care of a rustic that would chosen to combat. A christian would connect the U. S. forces by way of fact the U. S. forces do not flow around forceing human beings to connect them nor do they mechanically kill human beings for no reason. warfare each so often can't be prevented. Ecc 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of warfare, and a time of peace.

Answer 4

While it is true that there is a spiritual warfare that goes on behind the scenes, as it were, serving in the military is a different calling altogether. Not all soldiers are Christians, but all Christians are called to battle against evil side of the spiritual realm. In the physical realm, there is no problem with Christians serving in the military.

John the Baptist when asked by soldiers what they should do, didn't tell them to drop their arms and quit being soldiers, the conversation went like this: "Even some soldiers were asking him, "And what should we do?" He told them, "Never extort money from anyone by threats or blackmail, and be satisfied with your pay." (Luke 3:14)

Jesus, when speaking with the Roman Centurion, didn't tell him to quit being a soldier; instead the conversation went like this: "For I, too, am a man under authority and have soldiers under me. I say to one 'Go' and he goes, to another 'Come' and he comes, and to my servant 'Do this' and he does it." When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those who were following him, "Truly I tell you, not even in Israel have I found this kind of faith!" (Matthew 8:9-10) He was commended for his faith, and not condemned for being a soldier.

There is no inconsistency with faith and service as a soldier.

Answer 5

I have thought about this area of topic recently.

I am not truly decided how this works out but is it not true that John the Bapist instructed soldiers not to abuse their office in certain ways but did not tell them it was wrong to be a soldier ?

And, aren't governments supposed to be authorized by the true God of Heaven to restrain evil behavior ? Of course, corrupt humans in power often follow the spirit of this world and in that case we are to obey God not the government.

Answer 6

i dont serve in the military. neither should any christian be required to justify serving in the military. because its a national matter, not a christian one. they dont do it because they love God and follow His word.

national battle is not to be confused with a christian and any personal aggression toward another individual.

Paul was not against battling in the flesh., if he did, then he'd be thinking himself better than God. (Biblically in the OT, the Jews were called upon by God to do battle against another nation hostile to them).
but Paul was saying that individual christians are not to use the patterns of the flesh (anger, aggression, ridicule, retaliation, etc) to do battle against another individual person.

but to recognize the real enemy behind every personal attack... and fight the devil, with weapons that he cant withstand.
.

Answer 7

You have mixed the two ideals into one. Paul is talking about spiritual warfair. When as chirsitans we do, what we know we should not do. When we gosip, lie, cheat, on and on and on, these are the battles that Paul was speaking of. No where at all did our Lord ever rebuke serving your country in times of war, or peace. Remember, Jesus taught, that no greater love does one have, than he lay down his life for his friends, and loved ones.

Answer 8

Jesus did say to turn the other cheek right? Who would Jesus bomb right? Are you hinting that fighting bad (like satan and demons) is permissible? Then this might justify Iraq right, because Saddam was supposedly the most evil person (who we actually condoned when he committed crimes like gassing kurds in 1988, and who we armed with WMD's to kill masses of Iranians from 1980-88).

I don't buy the argument that Jesus advocated any sort of violence. It is reported that Bush and other officials like Rice are "devoutly" religious or Christian, which I just find ridiculous. They use terms like "collateral damage" as euphemisms for murdering innocent civilians. Look up how many innocents have died--hardly demons--because of our invasion. Our leaders use religion to garner support for their demonic policies.

Answer 9

I've been in the military for almost 7 years and God would want us to protect and serve our family and this country.

don't hate on something your to scared to do. and don't cherry pick God's word to prove a false point.

God does not hate me nor anyone else for protecting this country. put all politics aside...if you actually knew what was going on in the middle east you wouldn't say such things. stop being a media puppet and get the facts straight.

most importantly how dare you make me out to be some kind or murderer. you have NO idea what the military has to go through on a daily bases being rejected by their OWN people (Americans) and trying to dodge bullets trying to protect people who actually want us to protect them. we don't do the killing...they kill their own people. we just protect.

then you should direct the same questions towards the fire and police departments, the FBI, CIA, border patrol along with other law enforcement in this country. as citizens we have the right to protect ourselves, our family and our land.

you mean to tell me...i don't have the right to protect anyone because "Satan" is the ruler of this country?

your being very religious and ignorant.

Answer 10

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down, God directed this war and approved my service time. In wars people are killed, I can't explain, but I have no apology for my service time, nor do I feel it to be an issue between God and me.,


Dave C - so seldom you see this response, and it's soooooo right on -- thanks