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Is Killing in Self-defense a Sin? (What does the Bible say?)

April 5, 2026

I feel the need to add this to Veterans First Gun Safety Services blog, not because I am a Christian Theologian, nor do I play one on TV (LOL), but since my son and I have started this business with nothing but good intent, I promise it has been brought to my attention that what we are doing is wrong in Gods eyes. ????, this has brought many questions to my mind, especially here at Easter. Is this true? I have to admit I am a Christian and have several Bibles here at home. Do I practice my faith as much as I can? Probably not. I do pray, we say grace at Sunday dinners, and we are as Charitable as we can now that my wife and I are officially retired.

I got up very early this morning, jumped on the internet, and started my research to see if what I believe in, "Self Defense and the protection of my family," and teaching it was wrong in God's eyes. I must have spent 3 hours going back and forth between the computer and my family Bible. The thing that stuck out in my mind from Sunday school was the one that pertains to this topic, and that is #6 YOU SHALL NOT MURDER. I thought WOW, are these people, right? Then I thought there had to be more, and at that point, I kept going, bouncing back and forth between the two. I was getting tired, and then I came across an article from Joseph M. Jordan, which answered all the questions and gave me all the references to help me move forward in our business, and hoping we will be able to provide our community with some safety and security and direction when it comes to the defense of oneself and family.

HERE WE GO:

Killing is one of the things that God forbids in the Ten Commandments. Jesus emphasized it by declaring that hating your brother was equal to killing.

Although God forbids killing, we also notice that he instructed the children of Israel to defend themselves, kill the Canaanites and occupy their land. So, is killing in self-defense a sin?

Ligonier, a renowned minister and teacher of the word, says that killing in self-defense is not a sin. He argues that God did not prohibit all types of killing in the Ten Commandments. Murder was prohibited because it was the killing of innocent people.

This article will discuss what the Bible says about killing in self-defense, what Jesus said about self-defense, and if a Christian should kill someone in self-defense.

Also, we will discuss whether God allows killing in self-defense, whether Christians can kill in a war for self-defense, and how killing in self-defense does not violate the 6th commandment.

What does the Bible teach about killing in self-defense?

The Bible allows Christians to kill in self-defense to protect themselves, family, and their property from dangerous intruders.

The Bible says: “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed” – Exodus 22:2.

The verse indicates that there are some circumstances that one can use lethal force in self-defense. Such a circumstance is when a thief forcefully breaks into your house. Keith Crosby of Hillside Church notes that the verse does not limit self-defense to a thief breaking the house.

It also applies to murderers and anyone who intentionally and underhandly posses’ life-threatening situations.

However, this does not mean Christians should take the law into their own hands and kill, provided they feel threatened. Killing in self-defense is the last option for a Christian and anyone else, according to the laws of many countries.

What did Jesus say about self-defense?

Jesus did not explicitly talk about self-defense. However, there is a passage in Luke 22:36 that can help us understand his feeling and attitude toward self-defense.

He said to his disciples: “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one” – Luke 22:36.

Does God allow killing in self-defense?

The Bible indicates that God allowed killing in self-defense. From the laws passed from God to Moses and the Israelites, God indicated that a thief who breaks into a house should be killed.

The Bible says: “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed” – Exodus 22:2.

Exodus 22:2 notes, “If a thief is caught breaking in at night and is struck a fatal blow, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed.”

Can Christians kill in a war for self-defense?

Examples from the Bible imply that Christians can kill in a war for self-defense. A good example is the drowning of Egyptian soldiers in the Red Sea.

Exodus 14:26-28 reads, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen - the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.”

How does killing in self-defense not violate the 6th commandment?

Mark Legg, -a Christian scholar, -notes that not all killings are murder. The sixth commandment prohibits murder, and all killings are not murder.

The sixth commandment focuses more on murdering innocent people or as an act of taking the law into your hand without probable course. Self-defense is not murder and hence does not violate the 6th commandment.

Bible verses about killing in self-defense

“But Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword'” – Matthew 26:52. This verse implies that if you kill using a sword, whether in self-defense or not, you will also be killed using a sword.

“But if any harm follows, you shall give life for life, eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” – Exodus 21:23-25.

It is an Old Testament commandment that many people assume allows revenge and self-defense. However, whether this is acceptable today is a subject of debate.

Blog reference as written by:

Joseph M. Jordan

As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform.

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