What if this officer was you?
Was the shooting a murder?
What would God say?

The Scenario

You are a law enforcement officer, and you've been notified by dispatch that an armed robbery has just occurred. The suspects have fled the area in a primer-spotted, late model Chevy. As you are enroute, you spot the suspect vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed away from the scene. You notify dispatch and begin pursuit of the vehicle. The driver loses control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp turn and crashes into a telephone pole. As you come to a stop behind the accident, one of the suspects begins to exit the wrecked vehicle. You see a pistol in the hand of the suspect and you shout the order to "freeze!" The suspect does not stop, but advances toward you, firing the pistol in your direction. You react by returning fire and disabling the suspect. Your rounds have struck the suspect in the chest and the suspect dies.

Back at the precinct, your head is spinning with all the questions, allegations and second thoughts that have resulted from the shooting when the department Chaplain comes in. The question you have for him is simple, "Chaplain, I killed a man. I've heard that in the Bible one of the commandments is, 'Thou shalt not kill'. What does God think of me now?"

Many officers wonder how God would look at them if it were necessary for them to take a life in the performance of their duties. I will try to help answer this question by showing what God says in the Bible about the use of deadly force.

Thou Shalt Not Kill?

Most people question the taking of a life based on a verse from the Old Testament of the Bible which says, "Thou shalt not kill." ¹ Does the Bible tell us what the word 'kill' means in this verse? Yes! In the New Testament, Jesus says, "...Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." ² In talking to this young man Jesus clarifies the commandment of "thou shalt not kill" by saying "thou shalt do no murder." Therefore, in order to violate this commandment, a person must commit murder.

The Law Enforcement Officer's Authority

Where do law enforcement officers get their authority? Their authority is given through the means of human government. God has revealed in the Bible His directions for maintaining law and order on earth.

The Bible says "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." ³ The Bible also says, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work." ⁴ God has established the higher powers (government) to maintain law and order, and we should be subject unto them. Those who obey the law have nothing to worry about. Those who disobey the law will suffer "wrath" or judgment. When God established human government in the Bible He said, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." ⁵ Since God made man in his image, God gives man (the government) the power and right to take a man's life if he commits murder.

The Bible has shown us that God has established governments and magistrates to rule man. These rulers are considered ministers of God, therefore are accountable for their actions to God. Rulers are to be a terror (fear does deter crime) and execute wrath (justice) upon them that do evil. This would include the use of the death penalty for someone who commits murder. Rulers do not bear the sword (method of deadly force) in vain. The Bible says, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." ⁶ If death penalty sentences were carried out speedily, it would deter crime. It is interesting to note that obeying the law does not bring judgment.

What Are the Limits of the Law Enforcement Officer's Power?

Does this power give the law enforcement officer the right to become a vigilante? No! If an officer decides to take the law into his own hands and administer "justice", he then is bypassing the authority of God and will suffer the consequences of his actions. It is up to the magistrates or judges to be sure that the punishment administered is in accordance with the laws of the land.

Officers are hired by the government rulers to help enforce the laws of the land which are made to punish evil doers. The officer is to capture evil doers and present them to the magistrates for punishment. If in the course of capturing the evil doers, the evil doers attempt to take the life of the officer or another human being, it would then become necessary for the officer to "bear the sword" (use deadly force) to prevent murder from taking place. The evil doer would then receive "damnation," the destruction of his body, for his actions. As far as the soul is concerned, that will go to the place determined by that individual's relationship with God. God would not count the officer's actions as murder, but as judgment on the evil doer. An officer would only be guilty of murder by overstepping his authority and taking matters into his own hands.

The Bible says, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." ⁷ The officer's responsibility is to make sure the job is done correctly. God will "balance the accounts" in His time.

Where Do You Stand With God?

In law enforcement it is easy to see the troubles, sin and wickedness in others, especially the "dirtballs" an officer deals with each day. Man looks at the outside of man; God, however, looks at the heart of man. The Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." ⁸ The only way anyone can be truly justified (made just as though you had never sinned) is by Jesus Christ. God loves you and says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ⁹ Every human being on the face of the earth has sinned against God. There is a penalty for sin according to the Bible, which says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," ¹⁰ and "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." ¹¹ Although God is a God of judgment, He is also longsuffering, merciful and willing to forgive those who will humbly call upon Him for forgiveness. The Bible says your part is, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." ¹² "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." ¹³ "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." ¹⁴ If you will call on God from your heart and ask for mercy and forgiveness, and by faith accept the payment Christ made for your sins, God will give you eternal life. Have you asked Him to save you? If not, do it now.

Footnotes: 1. Exodus 20:13, 2. Matthew 19:17-19, 3. Romans 13:1-4, 4. Titus 3:1, 5. Genesis 9:6, 6. Ecclesiastes 8:11, 7. Romans 14:12, 8. Romans 3:23-24, 9. Romans 5:8, 10. Romans 6:23, 11. Revelation 20:15, 12. I John 1:9, 13. Romans 10:9, 14. Romans 10:13.

This brochure was prepared by MCSO Chaplain Tom Gresham for your benefit. Your questions and comments are welcome. Printed copies of this brochure are available free of charge. Write: Chaplain Tom Gresham, Charity Baptist Church 1506 N. Fairfield Road, Dayton, OH 45432. Phone: (937) 426-7444.