Welcome!

QUESTION 46:
Is it all right for a Christian to shoot ducks' or deers' out of season?

ANSWER:
It most certainly isn't all right to do these things. When God gave the animals, birds and fish to man in Genesis 9:2-3, He most certainly didn't mean to slaughter them to the point of extinction; in that case they would no longer be available to succeeding generations. He instituted “human government” for our good and their protection.

In Romans 13:1-2, we read, "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 ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation (or judgment). This judgment would be from the rulers themselves as the following verse shows, as well as from God in the form of chastisement. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Hebrews 12:5-6. Doing such would not only be resisting the civil powers ordained of God, but it is a bad testimony to the unsaved. The non-Christian is very quick to point out these things in the lives of professing Christians. The whole problem with Christianity in the world isn't the people who do not have it, but those who profess to be Christian and live inconsistent lives. Dear Christian don't spoil your testimony and dishonour your Lord for a feed of ducks or a few extra lobsters. The gain will be far less than what you lose by doing so.

The only time a Christian might have to disobey the law would be when it was in direct conflict with the clear command of God. An example of this is found in Acts where the early apostles were told not to preach any more about the Lord Jesus and they said, "..Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." Acts 4:19, but they went out and continued to preach. In Acts 4:29 Peter said, ‘We ought obey God rather than man.” This is an exception and not a rule.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

Return to Christian Living Questions Main Page

Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen