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The law of the land may not be what the Bible says. What you hear today may be God’s truth, but that doesn’t mean the laws of your land line up with God’s truth. So you can exercise God’s truth and be in opposition to the laws of the land.
Second, people in the Bible aren’t always told to defend themselves or make a stand for their own property. Sometimes God instructs people to flee the situation as in Matthew 24. Sometimes God says wisdom can de-escalate the situation and it doesn’t have to come down to only one of us left standing.
Genesis 14:11-16 – Abraham takes a little militia and restores what was taken and those that were kidnapped.
Exodus 22:2 – it was legal for a property owner to kill a thief without suffering any legal consequences for killing him.
Nehemiah 4:17-18 – builders and armed guards
Esther 8:10-11
Luke 22:35-36 – The Lord specifically instructed the disciples to defend themselves with swords. At first, the disciples were sent out with no money and with just the clothes on their backs (Luke 22:35), and they were given everything they needed along the way. However, at the end of Jesus’ ministry, the disciples were told to carry money on their future trips and to carry a sword (Luke 22:36). The sword was so important, that Jesus told them to sell a garment if they didn’t have the money to buy one.
Matthew 24:43-44
1 Timothy 5:8 – Provision would include protection.
The Lord believes in private property, providing for your own, protecting your household because this is what the Lord does.
