Is War Right?

Question:

Where in the Bible is war spoken against?

Answer:

1. The Lord does not speak complimentarily of one of whom it is said, “War was in his heart.” (Psalm 55:21).
2. Inspiration prays that God will “scatter” “the people that delight in war.” (Psalm 68:30).
3. Revelation 16:13, 14 certainly shows that the spirits that urge to war are not of God or good; they are “the spirits of devils” from the mouth of the dragon, sent forth by the command of the devil himself.
4. Read the reason for the prophet’s lamentation in Jeremiah 4:19–22.
5. That is enough on the negative side. Men indulge in strife and go to war because they are carnal. (See James 4:1, 2). Christians cannot do this. Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace. One injunction is, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you [not in the other man—in you, the Christian], live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18. God’s gospel is, “On earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14. “Peace be unto you,” “Go in peace,” fell like balm from the lips of Jesus upon wounded and troubled hearts. Every one of Paul’s epistles speaks of peace. Our Father is a “God of peace.” A fruit of the Spirit is peace. (See Galatians 5:22). “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14). “Seek peace, and ensue it.” We could fill pages with divine injunctions and promises regarding peace. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; And the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” (Isaiah 32:17).
6. If we are saved in Jesus Christ, we are delivered from this evil world and translated “into the kingdom of His dear Son.” (See Colossians 1:13). Our King said to His ardent, confident follower of old, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” (Matthew 26:52). He said again in that very time: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36). His subjects have weapons; but “though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” (2 Corinthians 10:3–4). The Christian’s complete armor is found in Ephesians 6:10–17.
7. In light of all this and much more, how can Christians go to war? If Christians fight Christians, each is fighting Christ in the person of His people, for has He not said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”? (Matthew 25:40). When the man who did nothing to the one in need is cast out, what will be done to the man who, with a hate-filled heart, sought a man’s life?