Bible Verses Applicable to Self-Defense and Church Security
For thus the LORD said to me: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees. — Isaiah 21:6
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I will take my stand and keep watch. I will take my place on the tower. — Habakkuk 2:1
The Bible verses above are often referenced in establishing the importance of creating the ministry of a church security team. But actually the verses of Acts 20:28–29 could be considered the very foundation for church security directors and volunteers.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Biblical Case Why Every Church Needs Armed Security ]
While the Apostle Paul’s message charges church leaders to stay alert against spiritual heresy and sinful temptation—for themselves as well as for fellow believers—the Hebrew concepts and Greek words he uses also apply to oversight for physical protection. The terms “overseer” and “shepherd” are common biblical metaphors for leaders who provide for and protect—in all manner of speaking—God’s flock: the church.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Acts 20:28–29
According to Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by Bill Mounce, the meaning of key words in the verses are as follows:
Watch
• Often translated “to keep,” the verb שָׁמַר (šāmar) in Hebrew bears three distinct but related meanings in the Old Testament: “to guard, tend,” “to watch over,” and “to preserve.” For example, it is used of guarding against intruders (Gen 3:24; 1 Sam. 26:15; Song 5:7; Isa 21:11).
• The Hebrew verb נָצַר (nāṣar) generally indicates the action of carefully watching over a particular object so that the object is preserved or protected. It may be translated “to keep, guard, watch, protect.” God “preserves” the faithful (Ps 31:23) and “guards” their lives (Prov 24:12) from trouble (Ps 32:7), from violent men (140:1, 4), and from the plot of their enemies (64:1).
• The noun מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mišmeret) in Hebrew derives from the verb šāmar, “to keep, watch, guard,” and denotes the regular responsibility or duty to care for or guard an object. Usually it refers to a specific object, and often that object is used in worship. In a non-worship sense, mišmeret may refer to a “guard” in the sense of a military watchman defending Jerusalem (Neh 7:3), to a “ward” in the sense of a place of confinement that is under guard (2 Sam. 20:3), or to a “guard post” in the sense of the place from which guard is kept (Isa 21:8).
• The verb γρηγορέω (grēgoreō) in Greek means “to keep watch over, guard” something. It carries the idea of vigilance in the face of something impending.
• The Greek verb προσέχω (prosechō) means “to guard, watch out, pay attention,” usually with a warning implication. Jesus instructs his disciples to watch out for false prophets (Mt 7:15) and to be on guard for the influence of the Pharisees (16:6, 11; Lk 12:1; cf. 20:46). In the Pastoral Letters, Paul instructs Titus to “pay no attention” to Jewish myths (Tit 1:14; cf. 1 Tim. 1:4). In Acts 20:28, Paul instructs the elders of Ephesus to “keep watch over themselves and all the flock,” because apostasy will come in their midst.
• In a more positive sense, Lydia opened her heart to “pay attention and respond” to Paul’s message (Acts 16:14). Timothy must “devote himself” to the public reading of Scripture (1 Tim. 4:13). In fact, we all must pay close attention to the message of Christ so that we do not drift away from it (Heb 2:1; cf. 2 Pet. 1:19).
• The verb φυλάσσω (phylassō) in Greek means to “guard” physically or to “keep” in the sense of observing. It often indicates a careful and constant guarding of someone or something of importance. It is most often applied to guarding prisoners (Lk 8:29; Acts 12:4; 23:35; 28:16), but is also used of guarding personal property such as flocks (Lk 2:8), a palace (11:21), and garments (Acts 22:20).
• Spiritually, Paul exhorts Timothy to guard the deposit of faith in a careful, constant manner through the help of the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:12, 14). People are also encouraged to guard themselves (i.e., beware) against certain things: covetousness (Lk 12:15), idols (1 Jn. 5:21), the error of lawlessness (2 Pet. 3:17), and those who seek their harm (2 Tim. 4:15).
• God also guards his people in a careful, constant way. Just as God guarded Noah from the flood and brought him safely to dry land (2 Pet. 2:5), Jesus guarded his apostles while he was on earth with them (Jn 17:12). He promises to keep believers safe from the evil one (2 Thess. 3:3) and to present them blameless in the last day (Jude 24).
• The Greek noun ὑπηρέτης (hypēretēs) denotes those who serve in a subordinate position, such as “guards” or “officials” under orders.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Ministry of Protection: Why Church Safety Teams Matter and How Serving in the Ministry of Protection Brings Clarity to the Calling ]
Overseer
• The noun ἐπίσκοπος (episkopos) in Greek means “overseer, bishop.” Its two root words (epi plus skopos) literally refer to someone who “looks over” or “watches over” a group of people. In 1 Pet. 2:25, Peter refers to Jesus as “the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” Jesus is, in other words, the chief overseer of our lives; all other church leaders function on his behalf and should use his life as a model (cf. 5:1–4).
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Secure Your Base (Your Soul) ]
Shepherd
• The verb רָעָה (rāʿâ) in Hebrew means “to feed, tend, shepherd.” This term is sometimes applied to the leaders of Israel, such as David (2 Sam. 5:2; 7:7; Ps. 78:72). Kings, like shepherds, were expected to care for their “flock,” feed them, and protect them from danger (cf. 1 Sam. 17:34–35). God is our shepherd (Ps. 23:1). And Jesus calls himself “the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14).
• The Greek verb πομαίνω (pomainō) describes the actions of a shepherd: “to shepherd, tend, feed a flock” (Lk 17:7; 1 Cor. 9:7). It is also used metaphorically to refer to leading and caring for people from roles of spiritual or oversight leadership. Jesus gives Peter this charge, “Shepherd my sheep” (Jn 21:16). Sheep and flocks are common metaphors for God’s people throughout Scripture, and to lead, guide, and protect them is to shepherd them (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2).
• The Greek noun ποιμήν (poimēn) is used most commonly to refer to Jesus Christ and his care for his people. He is “that great Shepherd of the sheep” (Heb 13:20), as well as “the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25).
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense Body Armor for Spiritual Warfare ]
More Bible Verses Applicable to Self-Defense and Church Security
⇨ And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. — Genesis 9:5-6. God established this covenant of uncompromising and extreme accountability because the human life he created in his image is valuable and precious.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense In Spiritual Warfare: Know Your Enemies ]
⇨ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. — Jeremiah 17:9. Sin and evil are realities that must be confronted.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Situational Awareness: Spiritual Self-Defense ]
⇨ A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. — Proverbs 22:3. We must be prepared to defend against the trouble that comes from sin and evil.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Every Small Decision Leads to Winning or Losing in Spiritual Warfare ]
⇨ Look! It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by 60 warriors, the noblest of Israel, all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night. — Song of Songs 3:7–8. The Bible acknowledges the benefit of armed defense.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness Self-Defense: Seeing Temptation as a Threat ]
⇨ Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. — Psalm 144:1.
⇨ He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. — Psalm 18:34.
⇨ David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. — 1 Samuel 25:13.
⇨ The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. — Zephaniah 3:17a.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Biblical Case for Being a Christian AND a Warrior ]
⇨ We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. — Nehemiah 4:9.
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⇨ Without clever tactics an army is defeated, and victory comes from much planning. — Proverbs 11:14. Planning and strategy are important elements of security operations.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Fact: Jesus Rose from the Dead ]
⇨ [Jesus said,] “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” — Matthew 10:16.
⇨ But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. — Hebrews 5:14.
⇨ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. — Colossians 2:8 These verses show that discernment is always vital for making the right choices when confronted with critical decisions.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Decision-Making Under Stress—19 Factors to Consider ]
⇨ So [Jesus] made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. — John 2:15. Jesus used a weapon to defend the temple’s sanctity.
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⇨ [Jesus] said to [the disciples], “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. — Luke 22:36. Jesus endorsed the idea of carrying a protective weapon. He acknowledged that dangerous times require readiness.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Understand the Times and Know What to Do ]
⇨ Stay true to what is right. — 1 Timothy 4:16. Self-defenders and church security volunteers must be committed to right living.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Too Little Faith to Be an Atheist ]
⇨ Prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. — 1 Peter 1:13. Prepare and be intentional.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Life Lessons to Learn From a Space Capsule Failure ]
⇨ God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. — 2 Timothy 1:7.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Spiritual Fitness: How Long Does It Take to Read the Bible? ]
⇨ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. — 1 Peter 5:8–9.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Nicene Creed Still Compelling After 1700 Years ]
⇨ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. — 1 Corinthians 16:13–14.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Latest Biblical Archaeology Research ]
⇨ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. — Ephesians 6:11–12.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Expanded Observations on The Lord’s Prayer ]
⇨ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6.
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