Hey everyone, welcome back to the blog.
Today, we’re wading into some potentially deep waters. We’re tackling a topic that sits right at the intersection of two big parts of many of our lives: our faith in Christ and our commitment to protecting our families. It’s something I know weighs on the minds of responsible Christian men, especially in the world we live in today.
It’s a question I’ve wrestled with myself over the years, guns in the Bible: “What does the Bible really say about guns?” And maybe the even more pointed question: Can you be a committed Christian and a responsible gun owner?
Now, just so you know where I’m coming from, let me share a little background. I gave my life to Jesus back in 2016, a decision that changed everything. But my journey with firearms? That started way earlier, back in 1988 when I picked up my first one as part of my criminal justice degree work. Life took me into the Army for 12 years, eight of those as an officer, including deployments to Afghanistan and Qatar. So yeah, firearms, responsibility, and thinking about protection have been part of my life for a good long while.
For years, especially during my time in uniform, I really had to figure out how to walk that line – how to be what I sometimes call a “Peaceful Warrior.” How do you reconcile being a follower of the Prince of Peace with being an Army officer trained for conflict? How do you balance being a Child of God, a husband, a brother, and a son with the realities of a dangerous world? It wasn’t always easy, let me tell you, but working through it definitely shaped my perspective on faith and firearms.
Let’s be real for a second—this isn’t just a question about firearms.
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It’s a question about faith, family, responsibility, and how we walk as men of God in a world that isn’t always safe. If you’re a Christian man trying to protect your home and your people, you’ve probably asked yourself:
“Can I carry a firearm and still honor God?”
I’ve asked it too. And I want to give you an honest, biblical perspective—not just opinion.
Guns & The Bible – How To Find Peace in a World That Isn’t Always Peaceful
First things first: Our faith is centered on peace. Jesus Himself tells us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27) and “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. Buttake heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The Apostle Paul echoes this constantly. He tells us to let Christ’s peace rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15), to “live in peace with everyone” as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18), and prays for the Lord of peace Himself to give us peace at all times and in every way (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Peter even chips in, telling us to actively “seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:11).
That seems pretty clear, doesn’t it? We’re called to be people of peace. Peacemakers, even.
But… here’s the problem. We live in a fallen world. Ever since Genesis 3, things haven’t been the way they were intended. It’s undeniable. We see crime, unrest, we hear about wars and rumors of wars – exactly the kinds of troubles Jesus warned us about (Matthew 24:6-7). It’s naive to pretend otherwise.
So, the big question becomes: How do we reconcile this deep calling to peace with the undeniable reality that sometimes, danger comes knocking on our own doors?
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). That’s a deep, lasting peace—one the world can’t touch.
And we’re told to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15), to live at peace with everyone, if it’s possible (Romans 12:18), and to seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11).
But here’s the thing—we live in a broken world. Jesus Himself said there’d be wars and rumors of wars. Crime exists. People do evil things. And as much as we want peace, we’ve still got to be prepared. Borrowing from Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, Si vis pacem, para bellum. “If you want peace, prepare for war.”
Jesus and Guns – Did Jesus Talk About Guns? (Well, Swords Actually…)
Okay, let’s get this out of the way – obviously, Jesus never mentioned guns – they didn’t exist. But did He address the idea of weapons for personal use? Interestingly, yes.
The most discussed passage is probably Luke 22:35-36. During their last meeting (the Last Supper) before Jesus is arrested, He spoke to His disciples:
“Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” (Luke 22:35-36)
Now, theologians have debated the exact meaning here for centuries. Was He speaking literally about self-defense in the dangerous times ahead? Was it symbolic? Was it to fulfill a prophecy about being counted among transgressors? We may not know for sure this side of heaven. But the point is, He instructed them to acquire a common defensive tool of the time. He didn’t seem to view the tool itself as inherently evil.
However – and this is crucial – context is everything. Just a short time later, in the Garden of Gethsemane (you can read about it in John 18:10-11 and Matthew 26:51-52), Peter actually uses his sword. When the guards come to arrest Jesus, Peter whips it out and cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. What does Jesus do? He immediately rebukes Peter: “Put your sword back in its place… for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” Then He heals the man’s ear.
What’s my takeaway from this? It seems Jesus’ concern wasn’t primarily about carrying the sword, but about how and why it was used. Peter acted impulsively, probably out of fear, anger, or a misguided attempt to start a fight or prevent prophecy. He wasn’t acting in justifiable self-defense against an immediate, unavoidable lethal threat in that moment. He was interfering with God’s plan and lashing out against legitimate (though hostile) authorities. Using weapons out of anger, aggression, or misplaced zeal? Clearly, that’s not okay in Jesus’ book.
So yes, Jesus mentioned weapons—but He was far more concerned with the why behind the weapon than the weapon itself. Owning a firearm comes with great responsibility, especially in ensuring it’s stored and handled safely. Learn practical tips to protect your loved ones in Gun Safety in the Home for guidance on secure storage and responsible use.
Biblical Examples of Defense
Let’s step back into the Old Testament for a second.
It isn’t just the New Testament that touches on this. Look back at the Old Testament. Remember Nehemiah? In Nehemiah chapter 4, the Jews were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and their enemies were threatening to attack them. What did Nehemiah, this great man of God, do? He prayed, yes, but he also took practical steps.
“Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall… posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.” (Nehemiah 4:13)
Later it says the builders worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other! They weren’t going out to start fights. They were standing ready to protect their families while they worked.
And in Psalm 144, David praises God:
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”
This wasn’t about being aggressive—it was about being prepared.
Think about King David, a man after God’s own heart. In Psalm 144, he praises God, “who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” He asks God for deliverance from enemies and protection from violence. He then prays for the security and prosperity of their families – for sons to be like healthy plants and daughters like polished pillars in a palace. David clearly saw God as the ultimate protector, but he also understood the reality of conflict and the need for skill and readiness, praying for safety and the well-being of families.
So, Can a Christian Own a Gun? The Heart of the Matter
The key question is not “Can I carry a gun?” but “why am I carrying a gun?” It’s the heart behind it—why do you want to carry it? Is it out of love to protect, or fear and anger? Jesus warned about living by the sword (Matthew 26:52), so it’s not a free pass—it’s about aligning with God’s principles.
Some Christians disagree, leaning pacifist, citing Jesus’s “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39) and opposing guns for violence or self-defense, while others, see guns as a safety precaution.
Some, like John Piper in Desiring God, argue against encouraging Christians to arm themselves, emphasizing New Testament calls to endure persecution (1 Peter 2:19–20) and be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), suggesting reliance on God’s protection over self-defense.
To understand this, let’s look at the biblical support:
- Exodus 22:2-3: Allows killing a home intruder at night without bloodguilt, but not in daylight if intent is theft, valuing life over belongings, as seen in sources like Learn Religions.
- Nehemiah 4:13: Nehemiah arms workers with swords and spears to protect their families, reinforcing defense, as noted in Pastor Conley’s blog.
- Psalm 144:1: David praises God for training his hands for war, asking for protection, aligning with self-defense, as discussed in GotQuestions.org.
Ask Yourself: Why Do I Carry?
Look, carrying a firearm doesn’t make you less of a Christian. But your motives matter.
Ask yourself:
- Am I carrying out of fear, or responsibility?
- Am I seeking revenge, or am I willing to de-escalate?
- Am I trying to look tough, or just trying to keep my family safe?
God knows our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). That’s where He’s looking.
If your heart is in the right place—and you’re truly walking with Christ—then owning a firearm isn’t a spiritual red flag. It’s a tool. Just like a fire extinguisher or a seatbelt. It doesn’t replace prayer or faith. But it can be part of a larger plan to keep your loved ones safe. As you consider the right firearm for protection, explore Revolver vs Semi Auto to weigh their reliability and ease of use for your family’s safety.