What Does The Bible Say About Violence?

My heart is heavy about the violence in our country. As believers, we know life is sacred because we, as humans, are made in the image of God, hand-crafted to represent God. In Genesis 1:26-27, the Bible tells us, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” 

As such (created in the image of God), we have a uniquely sacred aspect which should be respected and protected. It is not to say humans are holy like God who is inherently holy. Our sin nature has corrupted that image, leaving us holy only in the fact that God set us apart from the rest of creation. Even so, we are fashioned in the likeness of God. 

Knowing this, it is not surprising that God warns humanity in Genesis 9:6, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” We, as humans created in God’s image, should show respect and dignity to our fellow humans, protecting them by standing against evil and injustice. Violence, abuse, oppression, and similar actions are evil actions perpetrated against humanity, against the very image of God. 

As God’s image bearers, we are to be each other’s allies, not enemies. Jesus, in Matthew 22:37-39, commands, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” In the Words of Jesus, we understand violence is never the answer. Rather, all our actions should be done in light of our love for God and for His people as we follow Christ’s example and protect others from harm. 

This week, may we pray for our country, for an end to the violence that plagues us and our communities, and seek to love like Jesus – loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbors as ourselves.