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Bible Question: I
know that we are to pray for the needs of the families affected by
the terrorists' attacks on the nation, but does the Bible tell us
how we should react towards perpetrators and supporters of these evil
deeds?
Bible Answer: While
God calls us to love our
neighbor (Matt. 22:39) and to love our enemy (Matt. 5:43-44), He also
tells us to defend ourselves.
Government's
Responsibility. God has established governments to suppress evil.
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And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes
kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, And
knowledge to men of understanding. (NASB) Daniel 2:21
Let
every person be in subjection to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist
are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has
opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will
receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause
of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have
no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise
from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good.
But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear
the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger
who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. (NASB) Romans
13:1-4 |
God has given governments the authority to use the sword to suppress
evil. Unfortunately, some governments abuse their God given authority.
The Roman empire was one such example. This has real meaning for us,
since the apostle Paul wrote the above words while the Roman Empire
was still in power. God has granted world governments the right to
police their own people and to go to war. That implies each nation
has the God given right to have a military force and enlist its citizens
as soldiers. God calls us to submit to government (so long as we are
not asked to disobey God - see Acts 5:29). It is His will for us!
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Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient,
to be ready for every good deed . . . (NASB) Titus 3:1
Submit
yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,
whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as
sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of
those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing
right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free
men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but
use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all men; love the brotherhood,
fear God, honor the king. (NASB) 1 Peter 2:13-17 |
Our
Responsibility. God also wants us to assume responsibility for
removing evil from our midst.
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. . . Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to
do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless;
Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. Come now, and let us
reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins
are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are
red like crimson, They will be like wool." (NASB) Isaiah
1:16-18 |
God was upset with the Israelites because they did not remove evil.
God established capital punishment for the purpose of removing evil
from among the people.
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But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as
a penalty life for life . . . (NASB) Exodus 21:23
. . . thus you shall purge the evil from among you. (NASB) Deuteronomy
19:19 |
Conclusion:How
should we respond to the terrorists? First, we need to pursue them
and remove the evil. That is our government's responsibility and we
should support our government. Second, we should be praying for them
that they come to know the true God - Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ
and not Allah Who is the true God.
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And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other
name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we
must be saved. (NASB) Acts 4:12 |
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