“But if the cities refuse to surrender, and they make war against you, you must besiege that city.” – Deuteronomy 20:12
The Call to Obedience
In our Christian faith, we are often called to obey God’s commands and to follow His guidance. When we read about the verses that discuss what to do with pagans, we must remember the importance of obedience to God’s will. This obedience is rooted in trust, and it teaches us that we should not only follow God’s laws but also understand the kindness He shows us. We learn that even though there may be consequences for those who do not believe, we are called to represent God’s love amidst the severity of His commands. Our hearts should remain softened towards all people, reminding us that God desires to see everyone turn to Him.
Deuteronomy 13:12
“If you hear it said about one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you to live in that wicked men have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, ‘Let us go and worship other gods’…” – Deuteronomy 13:12
Deuteronomy 13:15
“You must certainly put to death any who try to turn you away from the LORD your God.” – Deuteronomy 13:15
Exodus 22:20
“Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.” – Exodus 22:20
1 Samuel 15:3
“Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” – 1 Samuel 15:3
Exodus 23:24
“Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces.” – Exodus 23:24
Understanding God’s Justice
As we investigate the theme of violence against pagans in the Scriptures, we begin to align our understanding with God’s justice. God, in His holiness, has defined right and wrong, and He is serious about righteousness. This doesn’t mean He does not love those who stray; instead, it underscores His intense desire for purity in our lives. We are reminded that there are serious repercussions for abandoning God and leading others astray. His justice is a strong call to not only recognize the consequences of turning away from Him but to also live a life that calls others back into His love and truth. We must find ways to share His message of redemptive love, acting as agents of peace and hope, rather than aggression.
Psalm 5:6
“You destroy those who tell lies; the bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest.” – Psalm 5:6
Deuteronomy 7:2
“And when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally.” – Deuteronomy 7:2
Nahum 1:2
“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.” – Nahum 1:2
1 Corinthians 5:13
“God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.’” – 1 Corinthians 5:13
Numbers 33:55
“But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides.” – Numbers 33:55
Righteousness and Purity
When God instructs us in the scriptures about dealing with pagans, it all stems from His desire for holiness and righteousness to prevail in our lives and communities. Our heart must reflect His purity, guiding us toward striving for a life that turns from wickedness and embraces holiness. It’s a call for us to examine our hearts and ensure that we are not allowing sin to take root within us. As we pursue righteousness, we are better equipped to encourage others to experience the same transformative grace found in God. Remember, while God provides a path for justice, He also implores each of us to live lives that lead by example, fostering holiness rather than division.
Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14
Leviticus 20:23
“You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you.” – Leviticus 20:23
Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” – Romans 12:19
2 Timothy 2:19
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’” – 2 Timothy 2:19
Ephesians 5:11
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11
Spiritual Warfare
The Bible teaches about the struggle we face against forces that oppose God’s message, and at the heart of this battle lies spiritual warfare. Understanding how to engage in this warfare means knowing our enemy and wielding the power of God’s word against darkness. As we reflect on the verses concerning pagans, we acknowledge the redemption that Christ offers. It is crucial we recognize our role in spiritual battles and understand that while God has taken action against the wicked, we are called to intercede through prayer and firmly stand in His truth. Thus, we can declare victory through Christ over any opposition. We can face challenges head-on, remembering that our fight is not against people, but against spiritual forces.
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12
2 Corinthians 10:4
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Lessons in Love and Forgiveness
While there are stark realities concerning pagans and the wrath against sin, there is always the greater message of love and forgiveness. God’s heart longs for restoration rather than destruction. Our role as Christians is to emulate this heart of compassion. Instead of focusing solely on judgment, we must reflect on the love that we are called to extend to all, even those who do not know Him. The powerful gift of salvation is meant for every heart, and we are provided with opportunities to witness about it. When we show love instead of hostility, we invite others to know the true nature of God’s character, which leads to transformation and healing.
Luke 6:27
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” – Luke 6:27
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
John 3:17
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:17
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Romans 12:20
“On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.’” – Romans 12:20
God’s Sovereignty and Mercy
As we come to understand the gravity of Scriptures concerning pagans, we must never forget God’s sovereignty and mercy. God is king over all creation, desiring all to be brought back into His fold. His justice is balanced by His mercy. In the tension of obeying His commands and showing love, we find growth in knowing God’s heart toward all people. He encourages us to trust Him fully, as He works through us to spread His gospel of grace. God longs to show compassion, and as we reflect this in our lives, we can boldly walk in obedience without losing sight of His call to share the good news of forgiveness with those who may be lost.
Isaiah 30:18
“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.” – Isaiah 30:18
Romans 9:15
“For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’” – Romans 9:15
1 Timothy 1:16
“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” – 1 Timothy 1:16
James 2:13
“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” – James 2:13
Romans 11:32
“For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.” – Romans 11:32
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on all we have discussed, it’s essential we remember the gravity of God’s commands. The scriptures about pagans remind us of the seriousness of our devotion to God and the guidelines He has laid before us. It emphasizes justice while also highlighting the need for love, forgiveness, and compassion. As we navigate our lives, let’s fully embrace our roles as reflections of God’s mercy and grace. In showing His love, we can inspire others to turn back to Him.
We are ultimately called to be representatives of Christ, sharing the good news and showing the way to redemption. Let’s strive to be agents of peace and forgiveness while holding firm in our faith and understanding of God’s word. Remember, God loves all humanity, and we, too, are called to do the same.
For more biblical insights, you might find it helpful to explore Bible Verses about Foreigners in Your Land or Bible Verses about Foreigners’ Assimilation in a New Country.