There is a dangerous misconception circulating among many believers today that Jesus Christ was a pacifist who taught passive surrender to evil, that we are to simply lay down and accept whatever comes, even when evil men seek to destroy life and liberty. This view completely ignores the fullness of Christ’s nature and the totality of Scripture. While Jesus taught mercy, humility, and love toward our enemies, He never once commanded His followers to abandon justice, protection, or discernment. The cross was not the picture of passivity, but the picture of ultimate obedience and divine authority. Jesus willingly laid down His life because it was His Father’s will, not because He was powerless. He said in John 10 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” This statement alone destroys the false image of Christ as a helpless pacifist. He was not conquered by evil men, He conquered sin and death by choice.
When soldiers came to arrest Him, Jesus did not resist because prophecy had to be fulfilled, yet He rebuked Peter not for owning a sword, but for misunderstanding the timing of God’s plan. In Luke 22, Christ Himself said, “He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” The Lord knew that after His ascension the disciples would face persecution and violence. His instruction was not to promote aggression, but preparation and stewardship over the lives entrusted to them. The same Jesus who told His followers to love their enemies also made a whip and drove out the money changers from the temple. That act was not born of hatred, but of holy zeal for the house of God. The Son of God confronted evil directly when it desecrated the sacred, showing us that righteous anger and divine protection are part of holiness, not rebellion.
Scripture consistently shows that godly men are called to defend life and resist evil while maintaining a pure heart. David was a man after God’s own heart, yet he was also a warrior who defended Israel from destruction. Abraham armed his servants to rescue Lot from captivity. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other. Even the priests of the Old Testament were trained to fight when necessary, because God’s people were meant to guard what is sacred. The command to turn the other cheek applies to personal insult, not to the destruction of life or family. If someone slaps your face, you forgive, if someone invades your home and intends harm to your family and loved ones, you eliminate the threat. God’s Word never confuses meekness with weakness. True meekness is strength under control, directed by the Spirit and used in the service of righteousness.
The idea that Christians should simply surrender to evil contradicts the entire purpose of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6. Armor is not worn by those who run away. It is given to those who stand firm. We are called to resist the devil, not cooperate with him. James 4 commands, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” That resistance often takes spiritual form, but it also manifests in protecting the innocent, upholding truth, and confronting evil actions. To do nothing when evil is at your door is not Christlike, it is cowardice disguised as virtue. God’s people are not called to retreat from the battlefield of light and darkness but to advance the Kingdom with courage and conviction.
When the Bible says “Blessed are the peacemakers,” it does not say “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” A peacemaker is one who restores divine order where chaos reigns. Sometimes that requires confrontation. Sometimes it requires taking a stand against evil and wickedness in high places. Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth, I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10). That sword is also symbolic of truth, but truth often divides those who love darkness from those who walk in light. To follow Christ is to stand where He stood, between evil and the innocent, between deception and truth, between tyranny and liberty. The Lord calls us to defend the life He created, the freedom He ordained, and the faith He entrusted to us.
In the end, true Christianity is not passive. It is powerful, disciplined, loving, and courageous. Jesus was not a pacifist, He was the Lion of Judah who laid His life down willingly and will return as the conquering King to destroy the armies of darkness. Until that day, we are commanded to occupy until He comes, to resist evil, and to protect what is good. The Lord does not expect His children to be victims of lawlessness, but defenders of righteousness, preserving life, truth and liberty in His name.
Christopher M Brock
Biblical Response To Protecting Your Family
There is a dangerous misconception circulating among many believers today that Jesus Christ was a pacifist who taught passive surrender to evil, that we are to simply lay down and accept whatever comes, even when evil men seek to destroy life and liberty. This view completely ignores the fullness of Christ’s nature and the totality of Scripture. While Jesus taught mercy, humility, and love toward our enemies, He never once commanded His followers to abandon justice, protection, or discernment. The cross was not the picture of passivity, but the picture of ultimate obedience and divine authority. Jesus willingly laid down His life because it was His Father’s will, not because He was powerless. He said in John 10 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” This statement alone destroys the false image of Christ as a helpless pacifist. He was not conquered by evil men, He conquered sin and death by choice.
When soldiers came to arrest Him, Jesus did not resist because prophecy had to be fulfilled, yet He rebuked Peter not for owning a sword, but for misunderstanding the timing of God’s plan. In Luke 22, Christ Himself said, “He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.” The Lord knew that after His ascension the disciples would face persecution and violence. His instruction was not to promote aggression, but preparation and stewardship over the lives entrusted to them. The same Jesus who told His followers to love their enemies also made a whip and drove out the money changers from the temple. That act was not born of hatred, but of holy zeal for the house of God. The Son of God confronted evil directly when it desecrated the sacred, showing us that righteous anger and divine protection are part of holiness, not rebellion.
Scripture consistently shows that godly men are called to defend life and resist evil while maintaining a pure heart. David was a man after God’s own heart, yet he was also a warrior who defended Israel from destruction. Abraham armed his servants to rescue Lot from captivity. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other. Even the priests of the Old Testament were trained to fight when necessary, because God’s people were meant to guard what is sacred. The command to turn the other cheek applies to personal insult, not to the destruction of life or family. If someone slaps your face, you forgive, if someone invades your home and intends harm to your family and loved ones, you eliminate the threat. God’s Word never confuses meekness with weakness. True meekness is strength under control, directed by the Spirit and used in the service of righteousness.
The idea that Christians should simply surrender to evil contradicts the entire purpose of the armor of God described in Ephesians 6. Armor is not worn by those who run away. It is given to those who stand firm. We are called to resist the devil, not cooperate with him. James 4 commands, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” That resistance often takes spiritual form, but it also manifests in protecting the innocent, upholding truth, and confronting evil actions. To do nothing when evil is at your door is not Christlike, it is cowardice disguised as virtue. God’s people are not called to retreat from the battlefield of light and darkness but to advance the Kingdom with courage and conviction.
When the Bible says “Blessed are the peacemakers,” it does not say “Blessed are the peacekeepers.” A peacemaker is one who restores divine order where chaos reigns. Sometimes that requires confrontation. Sometimes it requires taking a stand against evil and wickedness in high places. Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth, I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10). That sword is also symbolic of truth, but truth often divides those who love darkness from those who walk in light. To follow Christ is to stand where He stood, between evil and the innocent, between deception and truth, between tyranny and liberty. The Lord calls us to defend the life He created, the freedom He ordained, and the faith He entrusted to us.
In the end, true Christianity is not passive. It is powerful, disciplined, loving, and courageous. Jesus was not a pacifist, He was the Lion of Judah who laid His life down willingly and will return as the conquering King to destroy the armies of darkness. Until that day, we are commanded to occupy until He comes, to resist evil, and to protect what is good. The Lord does not expect His children to be victims of lawlessness, but defenders of righteousness, preserving life, truth and liberty in His name.
Love you all,
Christopher
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 67