The Bible and War. From Genesis to Revelation, there are several references to God’s favor in warfare. However, the Bible also seems to condemn conflict on various occasions.
Because the Bible is easily changed and misunderstood, people seeking to understand the morality of war often struggle with its ambiguous passages and misinterpretations.
It is a complex issue, and many Christians are uncertain about God’s true plan.
War is a tragedy
War is the greatest tragedy. The Bible portrays war as a terrible waste of human life and a waste of the potential with which God has endowed human beings. War destroys both the world in which people live and the lives of those who are forced to fight.
According to the Bible, taking revenge on another person is not the appropriate response to a situation. Instead, we should give vengeance to God (Romans 12:19).
Sadly, many people put their own selfish agendas ahead of God’s plan. Many people give in to their sinful natures and don’t follow the command to love one another as God loves us (John 13:34).
War is tragically caused by sin, anger, selfishness, and our separation from God’s love.
The greatest expression of God’s love is the gift of life. How can we be considered God’s children if we are willing to murder one another?
If we care about truth and justice, we should trust that God’s unchanging love can turn strangers into friends (Psalm 32:5).
Conflict Should Be Avoided Whenever Possible
There are over 400 occurrences of the word “war” in the Bible, yet it is difficult to pick a few passages to argue about whether war is good or bad. On the other hand, to fully understand what the Bible says about war, one must study its entire language and historical context.
According to the Bible, sin is a basic human characteristic, and as a result, we are always at war with one another. As long as there is sin in this world, there will be conflict.
Although there have been wars throughout human history and even before (such as the battle between Lucifer and God in heaven; see Revelation 12:7), it is important to remember that war is a result of man’s fallen nature.
Rev.12:7-9 – Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels went forth to battle with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. But they were defeated, and there was no room found for them in heaven any longer. And the huge dragon was cast down and out–that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.
Because God’s will is for His people to live in peace, the Bible tells us to seek peace wherever possible and to avoid confrontation at all costs (Romans 12:18).
Although many people throughout history have glorified violence, we should strive to be peacemakers rather than warriors, for God did not come to earth with weapons to fight the Roman Empire. Instead, He took human form, died on the cross, and rose again to defeat death and give us eternal life.
The Bible and Pacifism
You may have heard the following argument:
“The Bible does not address conflict. The Bible advocates peace. Jesus advocated pacifism. Christians must be pacifists.”
Regarding the definition,
This argument uses the “either/or” fallacy, often known as the false dilemma fallacy. It assumes that there are only two possible outcomes:
- Or we must admit that no one ever justifies war,
- Maybe we assume that going to war is always a reasonable option.
But there are alternative possibilities. If you feel that the Bible is silent on the subject of war, it may be worth reconsidering. The Bible has a lot to say about “good” and “bad” conflicts, but it’s not always as clear as we’d like.
In the Old Testament, war is typically presented as a necessary evil. One of the primary goals of the invasion of Canaan was to destroy the evil tribes who practiced child sacrifice. The conflict was between right and wrong.
No matter how military or pacifist the Bible’s depictions of battle are, they always reflect God’s purposes and nature. When the Bible uses military imagery to mention spiritual things, as in the book of Revelation, it always shows that good wins over evil and that peace follows.
What does the Bible say about warfare?
The following Bible verses can help us understand the situation better if we keep them in mind.
Some Bible Verses That Reveal God’s Attitude Toward War and Peace
- 1Pet.2:17
- Rom.13:1-4
- Exodus.23:21-23
- Deut.20:1-20
- Prov.24:6
Objectives of war
Every conflict has a goal.
- A just war seeks to end conflicts, protect innocent civilians, and uphold justice.
Thus, war is not necessarily negative. It can be “bad” to do good: to defend what is right, to prevent harm to others, and to bring peace where there has been conflict or injustice.
- Some bad ways to use it are for power, money, or revenge.
The Bible does not always forbid fighting
Careful study of the Scriptures is required to determine the answer. Throughout the Old Testament, there are several examples of God giving His people victory in battle.
For example, in Deuteronomy 7:1-2, God tells Israel to destroy their enemies because they were a trap for them.
God gave Israel victory over their enemies in the Promised Land:
- There will be too many wild creatures for you to control quickly; so the LORD your God will cleanse these lands for you piece by piece (Deuteronomy 7:22).
- The Israelites ordered the destruction of many of these nations (Deuteronomy 20:17).
- According to Joshua, “the Lord enabled [Israel] to kill them without pity…as Moses had commanded” (Joshua 11:20). This is just one example of how God uses conflict to further His purposes.
- In the Bible, God gave Israel victory over the Midianites (Judges 6-8) and the Canaanite kings (Joshua 10), as well as more than thirty other times.
- When David counted his soldiers and saw that he didn’t have enough, God was angry and struck Israel (2 Samuel 24:1).
- When Syria besieged King Joash, he prayed to God to “hear and open the eyes [of heaven] to see” beyond the enemy armies to the treasury of the Jerusalem Temple, where funds were available to build walls against future Syrian attacks. Although Jehoash was a profoundly cruel king who killed his own slaves, God fulfilled this act.
The Bible is full of stories of how God used war to help His people, especially to get back at people who did wrong and to punish wicked people (Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 50:15).
Is.1:17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Prov.24:10-11 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Deliver those who are drawn away to death, and those who totter to the slaughter, hold them back [from their doom]. If you [profess ignorance and] say, Behold, we did not know this, does not He Who weighs and ponders the heart perceive and consider it? And He Who guards your life, does not He know it? And shall not He render to [you and] every man according to his works?
Why did God allow some biblical wars?
Here are some examples:
- To abolish slavery (Exodus 14:14, 14:30).
- To punish the wickedness of the land (Deuteronomy 9:4-5).
- As an act of divine justice, God allowed vengeance on nations that had wronged Israel (2 Samuel 10:6, 1 Kings 11:14-15, 11:23-26, 2 Chronicles 20:1-3).
- To chastise nations that refused to conform (Jeremiah 34:20-22; 46:13; Jeremiah 47; 48). (Jeremiah 34:20-22; 46:13; Jeremiah 47:48).
- To punish the nations for violating their divine covenants (Jeremiah 34:17; 2 Kings 21:1).
Why did God forbid some conflicts in the Bible?
Let’s discuss why God might have forbade war.
- When the fight was not for God’s justice. Israel fought in battle to further its own goals, not to take God’s vengeance on the wicked neighboring nations (2 Chronicles 12:1-8; 2 Chronicles 21:1-20).
- When he didn’t have good intentions, King Saul’s main goal in fighting the Amalekites was not to serve God, but to make a name for himself and become famous (1 Samuel 15).
- When the war began for the wrong reasons. The purpose of the conflict was to instill fear in the people. Some of Judah’s kings relied on their military might as a form of self-defense instead of relying on God alone (Isaiah 31:1-3). The result? Because they lacked faith that God would protect and fight for them, they were conquered by other nations (Psalm 20:7, Psalm 33:16-17, Psalm 144:1-2).
- When the nation’s borders are expanded as a result of conflict. Israel sought out kingdoms and adversaries over which they had no claim or divine mandate (Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19, Judges 11:12-27).
But didn’t Jesus say, “Blessed are the peacemakers”?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave several beatitudes, including “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9). This verse is often cited in support of pacifism. However, Jesus distinguished between “peacemaking” and “pacifism.
Jesus was not a pacifist, but he did seek peace. The fact that He expelled the moneylenders from the temple shows that He was not always against violence (John 2:15).
Although Romans 12:18 says we should always strive for peace, there are times when conflict is necessary and lawful to protect human life and stop evil.
Rev.19:11-21 After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness). His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand. He is dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God. And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth goes forth a sharp sword with which He can smite (afflict, strike) the nations; and He will shepherd and control them with a staff (scepter, rod) of iron.
Jesus Christ and War
Separation
Furthermore, we are aware of Jesus’ proclamation, “I came not to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:35). Again, “Do you think I’ve come to bring peace on earth?” No, I can assure you, there is division. (Luke 12:51).
Some may ask how Jesus could be a man of peace if he came with a gun. But let us explore this further.
Jesus is not only a man; He is also God in human form and our Savior. As a result, He has both divine and human nature in one person. Therefore, He is from both heaven and earth, and the two realms are in opposition to each other.
God reigns over all creation; the earthly realm is marred by sin and wickedness, but heaven above is immaculate and holy (except for sin, which does not exist there). Consequently, when Jesus entered the earth through His incarnation in Bethlehem, the conflict between good (God) and evil (Satan/the devil) began immediately. Herod intended to murder Him by killing all the infants under the age of two.
A Man of Peace
Furthermore, there is no evidence that Jesus engaged in any kind of warfare against the Roman Empire or the religious leaders of His day. Instead, He answered one question with another. This shows that He believed that our struggle should be conducted primarily through reason and diplomacy rather than violence (Matt. 21:23-27).
Jesus was killed by the authorities because he was a rebel. He never raised a hand in defense against the authorities who arrested Him or those who eventually crucified Him (Luke 23:34).
Days before Jesus’ crucifixion, the apostle Peter had a violent confrontation with those who wanted to arrest Him (John 18:10). When Jesus rebuked Peter for cutting off the ear of one of his prisoners, He healed the attacker’s wound (Matthew 26:52).
Jesus was a man who led by example, not by coercion. In fact, there is no mention in the Bible of Christ forcing anyone to follow Him; it was always a loving invitation.
Jesus Christ was a man of peace, as the Bible illustrates, evident in His sinless life.
War in the Old Testament
There are several accounts of war in the Old Testament. Some of these wars, such as the Flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, were started by God. He regularly commanded His people to go into battle, as when He commissioned Joshua to lead Israel into Canaan.
He rebuked His people for going into battle without first seeking His will, as when they conquered Jericho.
Nevertheless, God was involved in each of these events in a different way, and we must not confuse what God did with what we should do.
When deciding whether to get involved in a conflict, it is important to look at all the facts.
- You may ask yourself if this conflict is justified.
- What does God need from me? This is another question you may want to ask yourself.
- It is important to ask yourself, “Is this desire coming from my own selfishness or from a desire to please and serve God?
You may have heard that the God of the Old Testament is a violent deity, but the God of the New Testament is a peacemaker. This idea is meant to divide the two covenants. According to some, because Jesus came into the world, everything in the Old Testament is no longer valid.
This argument tries to show that lines or passages that no longer apply to modern life are not essential.
The Old Testament and the New Testament are very much intertwined. They are not completely separate; what happens in one affects what happens in the other.
God is the same in both the Old and New Testaments because He does not change.
Numb.23:19 God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?
Hebr.13:8 Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).
What does “just war” mean?
In light of the above, a biblical definition of “just war” is possible. The Bible describes a just war as one that:
(1) fought for a good cause;
(2) fought as a last resort after previous peace efforts have failed; and
(3) fought by legitimate authorities.
World War II is an example of a just war that occurred in the modern era. It was fought by a legitimate government and sanctioned by Allied leaders representing the countries Germany had invaded. It was fought against a brutal enemy who had already done a lot of damage, but it didn’t start until Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party stopped trying to stop violence without violence.
Important Reminder
The government cannot act at its own discretion. In reality, a Christian who enlists in the military pledges to “support and defend” the Constitution and no other country. The soldier’s oath does not include a promise to follow illegal orders from superiors or to support immoral leaders at any particular time in history.
Are preemptive wars permissible?
The Old Testament is not a pagan text, so it should come as no surprise that it condones preemptive war.
- The Bible said that the Israelites could take back their land without being provoked, and it also said that they could attack the seven Canaanite nations first.
- The book of Deuteronomy says that Israeli territory can’t be attacked, and that foreign communities can be attacked first.
- In 1 Samuel 23:1-5 and 30:8, God authorizes David to attack a city that his enemies had chosen as a base of operations. David was not the first to attack the city.
The Bible does not forbid preemptive action. The fact that even the Old Testament does not condemn it may seem strange. According to the book of Deuteronomy (see Deuteronomy 20:10), a nation cannot invade another nation unless the latter launches an attack first.
In Numbers 31, on the other hand, Moses tells Israel to go to war with the Midianites, kill them all, and take their women as payback for making Israel worship the pagan god Baal-Peor.
This was definitely a preemptive strike, since the Midianites weren’t attacking Israel when Moses gave the order to invade and kill them. In fact, churches no longer read or preach this story because it is so repulsive.
However, this event illustrates that preemptive strikes are consistent with biblical justice.
War Should Only Be Used as a Last Resort
- War is a last resort. This means that all other options have been exhausted before force is used against another country or group.
- Although it may not seem like it at the time, peace is always preferable. Even if diplomatic solutions seem hopeless at first, they should be carefully considered as a possible solution.
- During an armed conflict, civilians should not be harmed unless they are a direct threat, such as children or people who can’t defend themselves.
God Provides Victory in Righteous Conflicts
While the Bible states that God generally abhors violence, it also states that He will support those who fight for Him when absolutely necessary.
Please read 2 Chronicles 20:15-17: The Lord instructs you not to be frightened or disappointed by this massive army. This is because God, not you, is the one who is fighting. You can face them the next day. Keep your resolve and watch as the Lord brings you deliverance. Do not be discouraged and do not be afraid. Face them tomorrow; the Lord will be with you.
If we accept God’s laws and put our trust in Him during warfare, we can be sure that He will fulfill His promise to reward us wonderfully.
The Christian Perspective on War
War is never an occasion for celebration. We must always pray for peace and never desire bloodshed. When war is necessary, it must be conducted according to God’s rules, just like any other part of life.
According to the Bible, God abhors war because it is the result of human sin and disobedience to Him. It is sometimes necessary to wage war to confront evil and protect the lives of the innocent.
Eccl.3:3-8 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
If you love God, you will desire what He desires and abhor what He abhors (Psalm 97:10). So if you hate bad things, you can’t help but hate war and all the death, pain, and destruction it brings.
However, if it is sometimes necessary to go to war to prevent something worse from happening or to protect innocent people from harm, a Christian must accept this as a terrible result of man’s sin and rebellion against God.
A believer is only allowed to kill if he does so with regret and sorrow, following the rules of his country. They are not to kill out of anger, greed, cruelty, or deceit (Romans 13:1).
Conclusion
The Bible does not condemn war. If you fight to protect innocent people, war may be the right thing to do when things are bad.
The Bible says that fighting is appropriate and allowed when it comes to self-defense, protecting innocent people, and protecting society from evil.
War is never an ideal solution, but sometimes it is the only way to protect the public and remove evil forces from the planet. Would we allow it to continue if we knew that our enemy was approaching to ravage and pillage our people? Of course not! We would have no choice but to respond forcefully; we would have no other choice.
The Bible does not explicitly forbid warfare. According to this Scripture, God can use war to punish wicked nations or to rescue righteous nations from their enemies.
War is not caused by natural disasters, but by human sin and failure. There are a thousand fathers in battle, but no mothers. That is why we must fight for peace.
