June 25th, 2026
by Matthew Cottrill
by Matthew Cottrill
A Pastoral Response Concerning the Recent Tony Spell Incident
Dear Church Family,
Recent events involving Pastor Tony Spell have prompted many sincere questions among believers. As Christians, our opinions must never be shaped primarily by personalities, emotions, social media, or political loyalties. Our standard is, and always will be, the Word of God.
The purpose of this statement is not to determine criminal guilt or innocence. That responsibility belongs to the civil courts. Rather, it is intended to help us think biblically about difficult issues involving family, pastoral ministry, self defense, and Christian conduct.
The God Given Responsibility to Protect Our Families
Scripture places upon husbands and fathers the sacred responsibility of protecting those entrusted to their care.
A husband is commanded to love his wife “even as Christ also loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). A father bears responsibility for the welfare of his household (1 Timothy 5:8). Protection is not merely financial or emotional. It includes taking threats seriously and acting responsibly when danger is present.
If a credible threat is made against one’s wife, children, or grandchildren, it should not be dismissed. A godly man is not passive concerning the safety of his family. Throughout Scripture, God’s people defended innocent life when necessary.
Protecting one’s family is not contrary to biblical manhood. In many situations, it is an expression of it.
A Pastor Is Also a Husband and Father
One aspect of this discussion deserves careful attention. A man does not cease to be a husband or a father because he is a pastor. The call to ministry never nullifies God’s earlier institutions of marriage and family.
If a man’s wife or children are threatened, his pastoral calling does not require him to abandon his responsibility to protect them. Scripture places upon husbands and fathers the solemn duty of caring for and safeguarding those whom God has entrusted to them. A pastor is not exempt from that obligation simply because he occupies a pulpit.
At the same time, the opposite is equally true.
A pastor never stops being a pastor.
Unlike many professions, the ministry is not something that is clocked into and out of. A pastor does not stop representing Christ when he leaves the church building, nor does he cease being an example to the flock when he is on vacation, at a restaurant, or spending time with his family. The weight of spiritual leadership follows him wherever he goes.
This is one reason faithful pastors often become weary. They are continually counseling, praying, encouraging, carrying burdens, and living under the knowledge that their conduct reflects upon the name of Christ and the church they serve. The office of a pastor is not merely something he does. It is a calling that shapes every area of his life.
For that reason, a pastor who is protecting his family is not acting contrary to his calling. He is fulfilling one biblical responsibility while remaining accountable to another. He must protect like a husband, lead like a father, and at the same time conduct himself with the restraint, wisdom, and self control expected of a shepherd.
These responsibilities are not in conflict with one another. They simply require extraordinary discernment. A pastor may stand courageously in defense of his family while still ensuring that every action remains governed by Scripture, not by anger. Even in moments of great stress, his response should reflect both the courage of a protector and the character of Christ.
Scripture Calls Believers to Self Control
While Christians are not called to cowardice, neither are we called to uncontrolled anger.
James writes,
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19 and 20
Paul likewise instructs believers,
“Be ye angry, and sin not…” Ephesians 4:26
These verses recognize that anger itself is not always sinful. There are moments when righteous indignation is appropriate. The question is not whether we become angry, but whether our anger remains under the control of the Holy Ghost.
A Spirit filled believer should never surrender self control, even in moments of extreme provocation.
The Biblical Place of Self Defense
Scripture recognizes the value of human life and the legitimacy of defending innocent life.
There is a profound difference between violence born of vengeance and force used to preserve life.
If someone is actively threatening immediate bodily harm to you or another person, Scripture does not require passive surrender. Protecting innocent life is consistent with biblical principles.
However, the objective of self defense is very specific.
The purpose is to stop the threat, not to punish the offender.
The amount of force employed should be only that which is reasonably necessary to end the danger. Once the threat has ceased, so too should the physical force.
Romans 12 reminds us,
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Justice belongs to God and to the civil authorities He has established, not to personal retaliation.
Our Attitude Toward Those Who Oppose Us
Scripture teaches that while there may be times when we must physically protect ourselves or those entrusted to our care, our hearts must never become consumed with hatred or a desire for revenge.
Jesus said,
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
Those words do not eliminate the responsibility of self defense when innocent life is in immediate danger. Rather, they govern the attitude of our hearts before, during, and after the conflict.
Our desire should never be to injure another person. Even when force becomes necessary to stop an act of violence, we should never rejoice in another person’s suffering or seek opportunities for retaliation. We should instead pray that God would bring conviction, repentance, and restoration.
As Christians, we are called to protect life while still praying for the very people who oppose us. That is one of the clearest demonstrations of the transforming power of the Holy Ghost. We may have to stop an attack, but we should never stop praying for the soul of the attacker.
This balance is one of the distinguishing marks of biblical Christianity. We may defend ourselves with courage, but we must always maintain a heart that is surrendered to Christ, free from bitterness, and willing to extend mercy whenever it can be righteously given.
Applying These Principles to the Recent Incident
The events surrounding Pastor Tony Spell have generated considerable discussion among Christians.
If the reported threats against his wife and family occurred as described, no reasonable Christian should fault a husband or father for taking immediate action to protect those he loves. Every husband bears that responsibility before God.
However, Scripture also teaches that once an aggressor has been subdued and the immediate danger has passed, our responsibility changes.
The Christian ethic is not merely to prevail in a confrontation but to remain obedient to Scripture throughout it.
If force continues after the threat has been neutralized, if additional blows are delivered after an individual is no longer presenting an immediate danger, then the nature of the encounter changes. At that point, the issue is no longer simply one of defense but of whether our response has exceeded the limits that biblical self control requires.
This distinction is critically important.
The wickedness of another person’s actions never grants believers unlimited liberty in their own response.
We are called to stop evil. We are not called to continue violence once the danger has ended.
Leadership Carries Greater Responsibility
Every Christian should strive to honor Christ in his conduct, but those who serve in spiritual leadership carry an even greater responsibility.
James reminds us that teachers “shall receive the greater condemnation.”
Whether in the pulpit, the grocery store, a restaurant, or in moments of conflict, a pastor’s conduct inevitably reflects upon Christ, the church, and the ministry.
This is not an impossible burden, but it is a sobering one.
Pastors are human. They experience fear, anger, exhaustion, and emotional strain like everyone else. Yet they are also called to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in those very moments when it is most difficult to do so.
Lessons for Every Believer
This incident reminds every Christian of several important truths.
Protect your family.
Take genuine threats seriously.
Never surrender your responsibility as a husband or father.
Never surrender your calling as a Christian.
Use only the force necessary to stop immediate danger.
Once the threat has ended, let justice proceed through lawful means.
Above all, let every response reflect the Spirit of Christ rather than the passions of the flesh.
Conclusion
Situations like this remind us that biblical truth rarely fits neatly into modern extremes.
On one hand, Scripture does not teach that Christians must passively allow themselves or their families to become victims of violence.
On the other hand, Scripture never permits vengeance or excessive force under the banner of righteous indignation.
The biblical path is one of courage governed by restraint.
We are called to defend the innocent.
We are called to stand against evil.
We are called to exercise wisdom under pressure.
We are called to protect our families.
We are called to maintain our witness.
None of those responsibilities cancel the others. They exist together, and maturity in Christ is learning to faithfully fulfill each one.
My prayer is that every member of our church will become the kind of believer who possesses both conviction and compassion, courage and self control, strength and humility. May our responses, especially in moments of great emotion, always be governed by the unchanging authority of God’s Word and the transforming power of His Spirit.
May we never confuse courage with vengeance, nor meekness with weakness. Instead, may we be known as people who stand firmly for what is right while demonstrating the Spirit of Christ in every circumstance.
Dear Church Family,
Recent events involving Pastor Tony Spell have prompted many sincere questions among believers. As Christians, our opinions must never be shaped primarily by personalities, emotions, social media, or political loyalties. Our standard is, and always will be, the Word of God.
The purpose of this statement is not to determine criminal guilt or innocence. That responsibility belongs to the civil courts. Rather, it is intended to help us think biblically about difficult issues involving family, pastoral ministry, self defense, and Christian conduct.
The God Given Responsibility to Protect Our Families
Scripture places upon husbands and fathers the sacred responsibility of protecting those entrusted to their care.
A husband is commanded to love his wife “even as Christ also loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). A father bears responsibility for the welfare of his household (1 Timothy 5:8). Protection is not merely financial or emotional. It includes taking threats seriously and acting responsibly when danger is present.
If a credible threat is made against one’s wife, children, or grandchildren, it should not be dismissed. A godly man is not passive concerning the safety of his family. Throughout Scripture, God’s people defended innocent life when necessary.
Protecting one’s family is not contrary to biblical manhood. In many situations, it is an expression of it.
A Pastor Is Also a Husband and Father
One aspect of this discussion deserves careful attention. A man does not cease to be a husband or a father because he is a pastor. The call to ministry never nullifies God’s earlier institutions of marriage and family.
If a man’s wife or children are threatened, his pastoral calling does not require him to abandon his responsibility to protect them. Scripture places upon husbands and fathers the solemn duty of caring for and safeguarding those whom God has entrusted to them. A pastor is not exempt from that obligation simply because he occupies a pulpit.
At the same time, the opposite is equally true.
A pastor never stops being a pastor.
Unlike many professions, the ministry is not something that is clocked into and out of. A pastor does not stop representing Christ when he leaves the church building, nor does he cease being an example to the flock when he is on vacation, at a restaurant, or spending time with his family. The weight of spiritual leadership follows him wherever he goes.
This is one reason faithful pastors often become weary. They are continually counseling, praying, encouraging, carrying burdens, and living under the knowledge that their conduct reflects upon the name of Christ and the church they serve. The office of a pastor is not merely something he does. It is a calling that shapes every area of his life.
For that reason, a pastor who is protecting his family is not acting contrary to his calling. He is fulfilling one biblical responsibility while remaining accountable to another. He must protect like a husband, lead like a father, and at the same time conduct himself with the restraint, wisdom, and self control expected of a shepherd.
These responsibilities are not in conflict with one another. They simply require extraordinary discernment. A pastor may stand courageously in defense of his family while still ensuring that every action remains governed by Scripture, not by anger. Even in moments of great stress, his response should reflect both the courage of a protector and the character of Christ.
Scripture Calls Believers to Self Control
While Christians are not called to cowardice, neither are we called to uncontrolled anger.
James writes,
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:19 and 20
Paul likewise instructs believers,
“Be ye angry, and sin not…” Ephesians 4:26
These verses recognize that anger itself is not always sinful. There are moments when righteous indignation is appropriate. The question is not whether we become angry, but whether our anger remains under the control of the Holy Ghost.
A Spirit filled believer should never surrender self control, even in moments of extreme provocation.
The Biblical Place of Self Defense
Scripture recognizes the value of human life and the legitimacy of defending innocent life.
There is a profound difference between violence born of vengeance and force used to preserve life.
If someone is actively threatening immediate bodily harm to you or another person, Scripture does not require passive surrender. Protecting innocent life is consistent with biblical principles.
However, the objective of self defense is very specific.
The purpose is to stop the threat, not to punish the offender.
The amount of force employed should be only that which is reasonably necessary to end the danger. Once the threat has ceased, so too should the physical force.
Romans 12 reminds us,
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Justice belongs to God and to the civil authorities He has established, not to personal retaliation.
Our Attitude Toward Those Who Oppose Us
Scripture teaches that while there may be times when we must physically protect ourselves or those entrusted to our care, our hearts must never become consumed with hatred or a desire for revenge.
Jesus said,
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
Those words do not eliminate the responsibility of self defense when innocent life is in immediate danger. Rather, they govern the attitude of our hearts before, during, and after the conflict.
Our desire should never be to injure another person. Even when force becomes necessary to stop an act of violence, we should never rejoice in another person’s suffering or seek opportunities for retaliation. We should instead pray that God would bring conviction, repentance, and restoration.
As Christians, we are called to protect life while still praying for the very people who oppose us. That is one of the clearest demonstrations of the transforming power of the Holy Ghost. We may have to stop an attack, but we should never stop praying for the soul of the attacker.
This balance is one of the distinguishing marks of biblical Christianity. We may defend ourselves with courage, but we must always maintain a heart that is surrendered to Christ, free from bitterness, and willing to extend mercy whenever it can be righteously given.
Applying These Principles to the Recent Incident
The events surrounding Pastor Tony Spell have generated considerable discussion among Christians.
If the reported threats against his wife and family occurred as described, no reasonable Christian should fault a husband or father for taking immediate action to protect those he loves. Every husband bears that responsibility before God.
However, Scripture also teaches that once an aggressor has been subdued and the immediate danger has passed, our responsibility changes.
The Christian ethic is not merely to prevail in a confrontation but to remain obedient to Scripture throughout it.
If force continues after the threat has been neutralized, if additional blows are delivered after an individual is no longer presenting an immediate danger, then the nature of the encounter changes. At that point, the issue is no longer simply one of defense but of whether our response has exceeded the limits that biblical self control requires.
This distinction is critically important.
The wickedness of another person’s actions never grants believers unlimited liberty in their own response.
We are called to stop evil. We are not called to continue violence once the danger has ended.
Leadership Carries Greater Responsibility
Every Christian should strive to honor Christ in his conduct, but those who serve in spiritual leadership carry an even greater responsibility.
James reminds us that teachers “shall receive the greater condemnation.”
Whether in the pulpit, the grocery store, a restaurant, or in moments of conflict, a pastor’s conduct inevitably reflects upon Christ, the church, and the ministry.
This is not an impossible burden, but it is a sobering one.
Pastors are human. They experience fear, anger, exhaustion, and emotional strain like everyone else. Yet they are also called to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in those very moments when it is most difficult to do so.
Lessons for Every Believer
This incident reminds every Christian of several important truths.
Protect your family.
Take genuine threats seriously.
Never surrender your responsibility as a husband or father.
Never surrender your calling as a Christian.
Use only the force necessary to stop immediate danger.
Once the threat has ended, let justice proceed through lawful means.
Above all, let every response reflect the Spirit of Christ rather than the passions of the flesh.
Conclusion
Situations like this remind us that biblical truth rarely fits neatly into modern extremes.
On one hand, Scripture does not teach that Christians must passively allow themselves or their families to become victims of violence.
On the other hand, Scripture never permits vengeance or excessive force under the banner of righteous indignation.
The biblical path is one of courage governed by restraint.
We are called to defend the innocent.
We are called to stand against evil.
We are called to exercise wisdom under pressure.
We are called to protect our families.
We are called to maintain our witness.
None of those responsibilities cancel the others. They exist together, and maturity in Christ is learning to faithfully fulfill each one.
My prayer is that every member of our church will become the kind of believer who possesses both conviction and compassion, courage and self control, strength and humility. May our responses, especially in moments of great emotion, always be governed by the unchanging authority of God’s Word and the transforming power of His Spirit.
May we never confuse courage with vengeance, nor meekness with weakness. Instead, may we be known as people who stand firmly for what is right while demonstrating the Spirit of Christ in every circumstance.
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