13 min

Is Killing in War a Sin‪?‬ That's in the Bible

    • Religion

[Show open]







[On-screen text graphics]







What is the Bible’s stance on war? Can killing people to protect your country be justified?







Kyma Morera







London, UK







[Video starts]







Tom: My name is Tom from Bremerton, Washington. What does the Bible say about military personnel who kill for their country?







[Video ends]







What does the Bible say about murder?







Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you very much Kyma, Tom, and all the others who have emailed in and asked very similar questions regarding this particular topic about military service. You know, dear friends, we're really sure that there's a lot of people in the military or the armed services, or maybe even have friends and family members that are in the military. And you know, they are also God fearing people. People who have these same questions as you in their mind. 







And dear friends for those who might not see the conflict or maybe are wondering why so many are asking these questions about the military, let's start off by asking first—what is God's command in the Bible regarding killing or taking another's life? So let's get right to it. The Bible clearly states here in Exodus 20, verse 13, the following: 







“You shall not murder.







[Exodus 20:13 New King James Version]







Brother Bob: So here Dear friends, God gives a very simple, very short, yet nevertheless very direct answer. We can see that God prohibits anyone from committing murder or taking the life of another. 







What does the Bible say about killing in war to fight for your country?







Brother Bob: Which brings all the questions regarding being in the military, of course or the armed forces. Why? Well, we know because if one is in the military, they're prepared, of course to defend the nation in times of war. And if war occurs, unfortunately, killing may very well be involved. Therefore, is serving as a soldier for your country, is it against the teachings of the Bible? 







The direct answer to that question is no. But what's the proof that God is really not against that? Let's continue our study. We can read the Biblical evidence here, dear friends wherein God is distinguishing the difference between committing murder and serving in the military for one’s  state or nation. What does He say? Let's turn to the book of Joshua chapter 4, verse 12 and 13. Wherein it says this:







And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them.







[Joshua 4:12 New King James Version]







Brother Bob: Well, let's pause for a second, dear friends because we'd like to point out here briefly that Reuben, Gad, Manasseh—were Israelites. And Israel was God's nation before these people. They were God's people. It was God's nation. Let's continue:







About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho.







[Joshua 4:13 New King James Version]







Brother Bob: So you can read in these verses God's people before, they did not only compose a religious organization, but [also], they were a nation. They were a nation with a military; they were sold...

[Show open]







[On-screen text graphics]







What is the Bible’s stance on war? Can killing people to protect your country be justified?







Kyma Morera







London, UK







[Video starts]







Tom: My name is Tom from Bremerton, Washington. What does the Bible say about military personnel who kill for their country?







[Video ends]







What does the Bible say about murder?







Brother Bob Pellien: Thank you very much Kyma, Tom, and all the others who have emailed in and asked very similar questions regarding this particular topic about military service. You know, dear friends, we're really sure that there's a lot of people in the military or the armed services, or maybe even have friends and family members that are in the military. And you know, they are also God fearing people. People who have these same questions as you in their mind. 







And dear friends for those who might not see the conflict or maybe are wondering why so many are asking these questions about the military, let's start off by asking first—what is God's command in the Bible regarding killing or taking another's life? So let's get right to it. The Bible clearly states here in Exodus 20, verse 13, the following: 







“You shall not murder.







[Exodus 20:13 New King James Version]







Brother Bob: So here Dear friends, God gives a very simple, very short, yet nevertheless very direct answer. We can see that God prohibits anyone from committing murder or taking the life of another. 







What does the Bible say about killing in war to fight for your country?







Brother Bob: Which brings all the questions regarding being in the military, of course or the armed forces. Why? Well, we know because if one is in the military, they're prepared, of course to defend the nation in times of war. And if war occurs, unfortunately, killing may very well be involved. Therefore, is serving as a soldier for your country, is it against the teachings of the Bible? 







The direct answer to that question is no. But what's the proof that God is really not against that? Let's continue our study. We can read the Biblical evidence here, dear friends wherein God is distinguishing the difference between committing murder and serving in the military for one’s  state or nation. What does He say? Let's turn to the book of Joshua chapter 4, verse 12 and 13. Wherein it says this:







And the men of Reuben, the men of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh crossed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses had spoken to them.







[Joshua 4:12 New King James Version]







Brother Bob: Well, let's pause for a second, dear friends because we'd like to point out here briefly that Reuben, Gad, Manasseh—were Israelites. And Israel was God's nation before these people. They were God's people. It was God's nation. Let's continue:







About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho.







[Joshua 4:13 New King James Version]







Brother Bob: So you can read in these verses God's people before, they did not only compose a religious organization, but [also], they were a nation. They were a nation with a military; they were sold...

13 min