Ellen White on Guns: Caution and Spiritual Warfare

The counsel regarding guns and firearms emphasizes restraint and caution, particularly highlighting the dangers associated with possessing them1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, par. 4. While physical arms appear in historical and descriptive contexts, the overarching principle for the believer is reliance on spiritual weaponry in life’s true conflictsCCh 331.3+1.

Caution Against Possession

It is clearly stated that developing a passion for possessing guns and firearms is dangerous1LtMs, Lt 7, 1865, par. 4. The use of deadly weapons in human conflict, whether in political assassinations or domestic violence, is consistently associated with negative, destructive actionsWM 338.1+3.

Furthermore, physical weapons are often associated with worldly conflict and violence:

• The North and South during the Civil War were described as relying on the skill of their men in the use of arms and habitual sporting for preparation for conflict1T 266.2+1.

• Scenes of violence include priests carrying concealed arms, and men carrying pistols with murderous intentGC88 232.1+3.

• God’s power is exalted over physical warfare, as He "breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two" Psalm 46:9.

Descriptive Use of Firearms

While the counsel warns against the passion for possessing firearms, they are mentioned descriptively in certain practical or dangerous historical settings:

• In pioneer environments, individuals sometimes armed themselves with revolvers and bowie knives when facing danger, such as seeking missing stock believed stolen, though the successful outcome was achieved without needing to use the firearms8MR 121.4+2.

• Guns were noted as being used for necessity, such as shooting ducks for food when provisions were low7MR 346.4+1.

• Travelers passing through dangerous territory armed themselves and maintained watch with guns for safety, especially against those who might employ others to commit crimes3LtMs, Lt 20a, 1879, par. 7.

The Christian's True Weapons of Warfare

The believer is instructed to focus entirely on the spiritual battle against the unseen powers of darkness, using only the divine armaments provided by God Ephesians 6:12T04 36.1+1. We should turn our spiritual weapons against the enemies of God and of the truth, rather than against our own brethren1MR 354.3+4.

The supreme weapon available to all followers of Christ is the Word of God:

• When Christ was tempted by Satan, He met the enemy with the phrase, "It is written," which is the Word of God and the only successful weapon against the tempterST July 28, 1890, par. 6+4.

• When faced with temptation or unbelief, we are to meet Satan with this same weapon, "It is written," to break his power and gain the victory21MR 11.3+4.

• The essential parts of the whole armor of God include the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God Ephesians 6:1721MR 427.3+7.

This warfare demands complete dependence on God, following the example of David, who used only his staff and sling, trusting in the Lord God of Israel rather than in carnal armorRH March 23, 1886, par. 9+1.