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“ God’s Law on Protection and Security : Understanding Security Through the Lens of Faith”

This is a long writeup but I would appreciate it if we can all take out sometime on this day to read through.

I thought about posting this in the religion segment but I think this issue isn't restricted to religion as it is a national issue that cuts across people of all ethnicity and religion

So over the weekend, I had some time to reflect on the situation of insecurity across Nigeria particularly The Middle belt and parts of the south east (Enugu), and this led me to ask myself certain questions about the responsibility of community, family values, and particularly the role of the man / male child in times of insecurity. While I did this I found myself asking "Who is responsible for providing security?" and what does it mean to "Provide Security"?

A look at the word Provide / Provision:

What does it mean to provide? We will look at this from three perspectives, mainly the dictionary definition, the government (legal) definition, and the religious perspective.

PART 1: DICTIONARY DEFINITION:
Provision is defined as this according to the three major dictionaries used in the world.

Cambridge Dictionary
Provision (noun)

The act of providing something:

A statement in an agreement or law that something must happen or be done:
"Under the provisions of the lease, the tenant is responsible for repairs."

Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
Provision (noun)

The action of providing or supplying something for use:
"New contracts for the provision of services"

A condition or requirement in a legal document:
"The agreement includes a provision for early termination."

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Provision (noun)
1a. The act or process of providing
1b. The fact or state of being prepared beforehand

2a. A measure taken beforehand to deal with a need
2b. A preparatory action or arrangement

Now that we have the dictionary definition, let's apply this to the role of the government (please stay with me).

PART 2: PROVISION OF SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF GOVERNMENT

While researching how the word provision applies to the government and in which context the government means when they use the phrase "Provision of security" during election campaigns, I looked up the legal dictionary, particularly Law.com Legal Dictionary (https://dictionary.law.com) and Merriam-Webster's Law Dictionary.

Both specifically referred to the context of the government providing security as this:
When a government says "provide security," the context is typically public policy or governance, and the term "security" refers to a service or responsibility rather than a "provision" in the legal or accounting sense.

Here's what "provide security" usually means in governmental terms:

Public Safety / Law and Order
Protecting citizens from crime, violence, or civil unrest through police forces, law enforcement, judicial systems, etc.
Example: “The government must provide security during the protests.”

National Security
Defense against foreign threats, terrorism, espionage, or military aggression through the military, intelligence services, border control, etc.
Example: “The government increased spending to provide national security.”

Cybersecurity
Protecting data, infrastructure, and digital systems from cyber threats.
Example: “New policies are in place to provide cybersecurity for public infrastructure.”

So in this context:
"Security" is a governmental duty. The "provision of security" is a governmental responsibility, meaning the act of ensuring or arranging for security. In simple terms, “to provide security” = to ensure the safety and protection of people, property, and the nation.

It's a core function of governance, similar to providing healthcare, education, or infrastructure.

PART 3: PROVISION OF SECURITY FROM A RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE

These two answers increased my curiosity about the view of provision of security from a religious perspective, and I went down the path of researching how this applies to the two major religions we have in Nigeria: Christianity and Islam.

Part 3A: Christianity:
I decided to research from a Christian theological standpoint and came across the Bible verse 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV):
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." This was a direct letter from the apostle Paul to Timothy, giving instructions for how the early Christian community should care for their families, widows, and relatives.


This verse left me with one question:
"When the Bible says any man that cannot provide for his family is worse than an infidel, what context is this meant in?"

Now, what does "security" mean in the context of providing for a family?
When we talk about "providing for one's family," it often includes multiple layers of security:

Physical Security
A safe home environment
Protection from danger or harm
Ensuring shelter, food, clean water, etc.
Example: Making sure the home has locks, is in a safe neighborhood, and basic needs are met.

Financial Security
Budgeting, avoiding unnecessary debt, and planning for education or retirement.

Emotional Security
Being present, stable, and supportive.

Spiritual and Moral Security (in biblical terms)
Teaching values and faith.

Basically, if a believer neglects their basic duties to their family, they are behaving in a way that is even worse than someone who doesn’t know God because they are denying a core principle of the faith: love expressed through responsibility.

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) again:
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

Theological Implications:

“He hath denied the faith”
This implies willful disobedience to Christian principles, especially love, care, and stewardship.
Denying the faith isn’t just disbelief — it’s a betrayal of its values by one's actions.

“Worse than an infidel”
Suggests that even non-believers are expected to care for their families.
So for a professing Christian to neglect this duty is seen as an offense because they claim to follow Christ yet act against His teachings.

Definition of Sin in Theology
In Christian theology, sin is often defined as any thought, word, or deed that violates God’s law or will. Neglecting one’s family is clearly against God’s revealed will in this passage.

Part 3B: Islam:
While coming across this revelation, I assumed this was a law restricted to Christianity at first. However, knowing that most Christian rules also apply to Islam, I decided to do some research on how this law applies to Islam and came across a powerful hadith that makes a direct reference to 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV):

Sunan Abi Dawud
Book: Kitab al-Zakah (The Book of Zakat)
Hadith Number: 1692
Narrator: ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ
Arabic:
كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ إِثْمًا أَنْ يُضَيِّعَ مَنْ يَقُوتُ

It is sufficient sin for a man to neglect those he is responsible for."


Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal
Volume 2, Hadith 160
Also from ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr.

Conclusion:
I came to the bitter conclusion that we as men and leaders of our family and community have been committing the blind sin of violating the rules given to us by our spiritual beliefs. Regardless of your religious association, we have all been guilty of neglecting the provision of security for our families, communities, and loved ones, and in doing so, we have turned our backs and defied the rule of God. However, all hope is not lost.

Starting today, we can create awareness by sharing this message with our religious leaders, our community, and on social media at large, and by beginning the process of abiding by what we have been instructed to do by providing security by any means necessary for our family. This is the law of God, and as believers, we must abide by this lest we commit a sin.

May God bless Nigeria.
May God bless those who have fallen victim to the evil acts of these evil people among us.
May God console those who have been neglected.
May God bless those who accept this message.
And may God provide wisdom to those who fail to see reason in this message.

Brilliant question. It's the same tactics dey used for EndSars, Miraculously people started appearing at hospitals right after the endsars protest. Mind you the same clowns first said there was no violence during the protest, when videos came out they changed the narrative and said yes there was violence but no deaths.

Shameless media government, more concerned about the opinion of the international world. There were no survivors at Yelewata! International redcross confirmed it! Bunch of cursed corrupt people, The other one FFK never even talk about this matter, na case between Iran and Israel thousands of miles away be him problem

During the civil war, Gowon was propped up as a "Christian man from the Middle belt" as a way of countering the claims that there were ethnoreligious attrocities committed during the Civil war, however there have been rumours about his actual ancestry being from the Fulani Kanuri, these rumour has been out there for a long time and I have always brushed them aside however recently I've begun to question everything that I know. Look up the rule Britain played in using Gowon as the "face" of the Republic, he wasn't even the leader at the time but he was propped up as a so called "Christian from the middle belt" but he's background and ancestry is so questionable that you wonder if he is indeed from the Middle Belt

If the opposition play their cards right, Rivers go fall into their laps easily. Its a freebie at thus point

When 2027 is around the corner? Of course he wouldn't act decisively. Just go on facebook and tiktok and read the comments Fulanis are leaving on videos related to this issue. Shocking

Unfortunately the truth has to be told, the end is near. This contraption has ran its course

A country actively supporting and protecting Terrorists. God forbid

Desperation for power lead to this. In 2011 the opposition went crazy with their hunger for power and created a monster that they had no control over.

I said it some time ago that this herdsmen crisis would soon spread into the capital, everyone has this believe that these issues are restricted to the villages and outskirts but when e happen e go be like film. Its a conquest and no place would be spared. I remember how does Awawa hausa boys during lockdown were attacking metro areas in LAGOS! and then before that when the Hausa Yoruba crisis happened in Ketu, Northern youths almost overran mainland Lagos.

Our government never talk yet sha lol, it is well

You no see Fulani herdsmen attack to alert the public, na A.I matter you carry for head. Terrible leaders

givedemwotowoto:
nlfpmod this clearly needs your attention

Are you joking? You think sey APC go move this go front page?

zero8zero:
This jargons only reflect a illogical reasoning or a limited reasoning capacity. In what context are you comparing Obi to Buhari and SanwoOlu?. For Sanwo Olu and Buhari or any serving Executives, each flag has its own representation. Obi has no executive capacity, as a private citizen, he has to address the Nigerian public with the official flag. In his private corners, he can then snap pictures with any flag he wishes.

Your head no correct. Tinubu poverty don reset your head

Maxymilliano:
So going by gawat assertions, what would you call the flag behind Buhari, with Tinubu and Osinbajo clearly relishing the moment

Egbon Gawat seems to have told his brain to "Gawat a here" because the guy reasoning no straight at all. Complete werey logic 😆

Egbon Sanwo Olu, sey na you be dis ni? Nigerian politics and hypocrisy

Responding to https://www.nairaland.com/8450076/jubril-gawat-exposes-peter-obis


In a desperate attempt to tear down the integrity of Peter Obi, Sanwo Olu's aide made a double blunder while trying to point out someone else's perceived error.

Being blinded by inconsequential issues in an attempt to score a cheap political point is never a good look.

Nairaland moderators, please move to the front page. Thanks

Great use of funds. Next year let's spend 20 billion. Nigeria is moving forward

Kavod:
Can ISREAL defeat Iran on a single one on one?
Isreal is a weak and very tiny state not even as big as Kaduna state.
You guys underestimate Iran alot... Those are the persians you hear about. If you really know how strategic that Iran is located you would understand why Isreal wants this war with US..
Nigeria has only one main port but see how much Apapa generates annually, Irans 4-5 main ports are extremely lucrative, 30-40% of all cargos globally must pass and pay their taxes to pass through, from Asia to middle east, to Africa to inshort google it, They make billions of dollars weekly. They are a very serious threat hence the sanctions. This na oppression all you pro man made isreal lovers de celebrate and you de complain about the oppressions of bandits/kidnappers in your country, they complain about govt oppression in your own country but de celebrate the same oppression far away east...

GO AND READ YOUR BOOKS!!!!!!!

IRAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT CONNECTS EUROPE, AFRICA AND ASIA THATS VERY STRATEGIC, ALL YOUR ITEMS THAT WHERE SHIPPED IN YOUR HOME YOU PAID TAXES TO IRAN, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY WORLD POWERS FAILED TO CONQUER IT?

RUSSIA, MONGOLS, TURKS EVEN BRITAIN ALL FAILED, ITS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT SHARES BORDERS WITH 7 OTHER COUNTRIES. NA THAT TINY MAN MADE ISREAL WAN DEFEAT AM.

THE SILENCE/GENTLENESS OF THE LION DOES NOT MEAN WEAKNESS, THEY ARE SMART ONLY DOGS BITE AND BARK.

The Mongols conquered Persia (present day Iran), EASILY, I repeat EASILY

Kavod:
YOU DON BUY LAND FOR YOUR VILLAGE ABI KIDNAPPERS DON CHASE UNA COMOT?

Bro I get land yapa for villa, na Iranian babes and waterfront property I dey target now. As soon as America finish work

All bark no bite. Instead make una abandon this your pointless crusade to make the whole world head slammers, una dey price market wey pass una power, ordinary Iraq una no fit fight (back in the 80s), na Israel and America una dey threaten. Abeg rest

And after Nigerians in the North go start to dey burn USA flag all because of a country that is thousands of miles away, forgetting their own issues right in Nigeria


Abeg make the fight do start, I go buy 20 plots of land for Tehran after USA don blow all the cockroaches away

Now you see the true nature of the beasts you are supporting.

Liberals never cease to make me laugh, how can you be a member of your LGBT community and still clamour for hard-core radical head slammers?

The other day some black American liberals went to Palestine to help and the Palestinians were racist to them, the black americans started complaining and those of us Africans who know about the Arabs and that their sickness called religious teachings replied to the black americans "Well, What did you expect?" Or you guys don't know the people who not only started slavery but sold the map on how to explore Africa to the Europeans?

Nigeria sef

This guy na actor pretending to be a politician, why does anyone care about his opinion.

Werey get sense before? U need dem more than dey need you and you want to close their embassy. When these people finish with Nigerians ehn? People go give testimony when their entry to Cotonou gets approved

Maxtipulation:
The last past you skipped it abi?

Please explain the funny part to me

Maxtipulation:
They will first nack her front and back

Eat all her cooked rice and Okpa

Collect all the contribution money she just collected

Last, demand huge amount of money for their troubles

How it will all end...Either Police, Vigilante's will catch them or Jungle justice is waiting for them

You find this funny?

This desperation for total power would bring about the destruction of these tyrants, before you mention China and Singapore abi Indonesia (whichever one you people like using to support your push for a one party state), know that those are homogeneous countries, The South South alone in Nigeria has numerous ethnic groups, the north alone has numerous ethnic groups and dialects. The ruling party should curb their desperation for total control and give peace a chance, when e red nobody go run oh and those that caused it would be dragged to the criminal court and prosecuted. Make una learn to play fair, this is not Colombian powder business, this is nation building