For anyone who thinks they will have the potential to be placed in a self defense scenario, the most basic question they need to ask is whether or not they will be able to take force against another person or animal. This may sound silly but all to often it is not considered until it is too late. If you produce a tool (pull out a gun or knife, etc.) with the intent to defend yourself, only to then lock up with it in your hands you have done two things. The first you have escualated the force said bad guy will use against you, as they are now threatened. Secondly the tool can be used against you if bad guy has an opportunity to take it from you.
Prior to combat deployment with the military or upon entering use of force training in a law enforcement academy most people will begin to mentally process the fact that they may one day be responsible for taking the life of another. It’s a heavy burden to bear and most people take some time to process the idea and its implications.
It was late 2003/ early 2004 when I found I was going to deploy to Iraq that I fully considered what it meant to be placed in an environment where I might have to use deadly force. And like many others, I wrestled with what this meant. The commandment “Thou Shall Not Kill” as was found in some translations of the Bible was at the forefront of my mind. It was once I understood how little I understood about what the Bible actual said that I was able to understand and appreciate my role as a warrior. The commandment it best translated Exodus NKJV 20:14 You shall not murder.
The difference between kill and murder may seem small, but it is profound. To commit murder is to do so with malicious and out of want for gain. Murder does not include a self defense application or warriors fighting a war. Where they are trying to save themselves, their unit, or the country they fight for. Killing would include self defense and the military action as well as murder. So you could see why the someone looking at the commandment of not killing would be upset, as it is not including all actions.
We only have to look at the Bible for examples. King David was a warrior and God said he was a man after his own heart. David did cross the line once though and was responsible for the murder of Uriah in 2 Samuel 11:15. For this sin David was punished and with this example we are able to see a difference in murder and killing.
The moral of today’s post is: if you are going to prepare to defend yourself then you should begin the evaluation process and what that means. As no one wants to have to be placed in that position, but because of the seriousness of it you should ask yourself the hand questions before they are thrust upon you.
-Joe
Outpost 95 