By Joe C. Guthrie
Law enforcement officers have been referred to as the Thin Blue Line, as they are our primary line of defense against anarchy and lawlessness. As a result of current apostate philosophies, law enforcement seems to be under attack by all segments of society.
The three branches of government are outlined in Old Testament scripture.
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. Isaiah 33:22
Law enforcement is the functional arm of the executive branch of government. Scripture plainly outlines the purpose and responsibilities of our law enforcement agencies. Romans 13 provides for the God mandated need for Godly oriented civil governments and purpose of law enforcement officers.
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 ordinances of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilth 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. Romans 13:1-4
Here is found the authority of law enforcement. Law enforcement officers are defined as ministers of God. Were the pastor is a minister of God’s word, a law enforcement officer is a minister of God’s justice. It is the law enforcement officer that carries the sword for the executive branck of civil government. The sword is a creation of God, Genesis 3:2, and is an instrument of death. It has only two purposes: to protect and to punish. Charged with bearing the sword, law enforcement has two functions: 1) to provide for the protection of society from evildoers, and 2) to bring the lawless to justice for punishment.
There has been a shift in law enforcement’s responsibility from carrying the sword to protect and punish, to that of peace officers providing for public safety. The emphasis on public relations, social services, and political correctness has resulted in that shift from protection and punishment, to a false focus on peace and safety.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. I Thessalonians 5:3
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34
Old Testament scripture does not provide any examples of law enforcement agencies or organizations. Property crimes were punished with hefty reparations for the stolen or destroyed property. Crimes involving injury or death were the responsibility of the family’s revenger of blood to punish.
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. Exodus 22:1-4
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry, but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. Proverbs 6:30-31
And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: there murderer shall surely be put to death. The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. Numbers 35:16-19
In the New Testament, we find the government use of Roman military officials for law enforcement functions. Law enforcement has always been considered a paramilitary organization. The best representation of the paramilitary role of civil government’s officials, are the examples of Roman centurions in New Testament scripture.
In his description of centurions, Greek historian Polybius (c.200-118 BC) wrote: “In choosing their centurions the Romans look not so much for the daring or fire eating type, but rather men who are natural leaders and possess a stable and imperturbable temperament, not men who will open the battle and launch attacks, but those who will stand their ground even when worsted or hard-pressed, and will die in defense of their posts.” Centurions cited in the New Testament scripture include:
- The centurion in Capernaum who recognized the authority or Christ, when asking for the healing of his servant, Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:2-10.
- The centurion placed in charge of the execution detail who recognized the deity of Christ at the foot of the cross, Matthew 27:5-4, Mark 15:39,44,45, Luke 23:47.
- Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway, the first gentile convert to Christianity, Acts 10:1-48.
- The centurion who took Paul into custody and away from the mob whom were beating him, Acts 21:32.
- Two centurions, who with an armed guard, transport Paul to Felix in Caesarea, Acts 23:23.
- The centurion Julius, who protects and safely transports Paul to Rome, Acts 27:1.
Characteristics of good law enforcement officers include vigilance, or what scripture defines as being a watchman.
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. Isaiah 21:6
Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of they people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet and warn the people. Ezekiel 33:1-3
The failure to faithfully perform the proper duties of a watchman will result in poor law enforcement practices.
His watchmen are blind: they are ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Isaiah 56:10-11
In order to properly perform the duties of a watchman, he must be able to profile individuals in order to recognize evil or danger. Profiling is a necessary tool of an experienced law enforcement officer and should not be looked upon as an illegal practice. If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. Political correctness has turned the necessary law enforcement tool of profiling into nothing more than a legal defense strategy. Profiling as presented in scripture is recognizing one by their fruits, and as such was taught by Jesus Christ so his disciples could recognize false prophets.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:16-20
The best role model for law enforcement officers is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:3-8
The most important trait looked for in a righteous law enforcement officer is meekness. Meekness is a term, which is misunderstood by most, and more often than not considered a sign of weakness or of a wimp. In reality, meekness is power and authority under control. It is not found in the proud or vain. The meekest man to ever live was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Law enforcement officers should strive to let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Remember the Centurion in Capernaum? It was not a wimpy, milk-toast, weakling he humbled himself before, but rather he saw in Christ Jesus a man’s man of authority – a man that was to be honored and respected.
Our military personnel and law enforcement officers represent the most noble of professions. Their responsibilities include the requirement to lay down their lives for those they have sworn to protect.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. I John 3:16
There are those that protest and criticize law enforcement agencies use of tactical and riot gear as too military oriented. This is an attempt to disarm law enforcement and remove their responsibility of carrying the sword. As noted, law enforcement has always been paramilitary in nature. The weapons and body armor of officers confronting protesting and rioting civilians are no different than that worn by centurions. The Apostle Paul when under house arrest was chained to a guard twenty-four hours a day. There can be no doubt that it was these centurion guards that Paul had in mind when he instructed Christians to put on the whole armor of God.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness: and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:10-18
Of all the weapons listed in Ephesians 6, only one is of an offensive nature, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The others, a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the gospel, shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation, are defensive in nature for the protection of those that wear them. It is the sword, the Word of God, Jesus Christ, that is to be used to attack and destroy the powers of sin. It should be the primary agent for guiding all law enforcement officers in their faith and practice.
