The tension is rising between North Korea and the U.S., with President Trump talking tough in what so far is a war of words between the two countries.

“North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States,” the president said on Tuesday. “They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.” (See sidebar)

Trump’s remarks prompted alarm from some conservatives and the expected mocking disdain from the president’s opponents. But Dr. Robert Jeffress, one of Trump’s evangelical advisors, backs up his own earlier remarks, saying the commander-in-chief has a biblical authority to make the statements – and to back them up with action.

“The Bible gives government the moral authority to do whatever it needs to do, to use whatever force necessary, whether it be assassination, capital punishment, or even war to stop evil-doers,” he tells OneNewsNow.

The pastor of First Baptist-Dallas quickly adds that he hasn’t spoken to the administration about options and that he’s speaking as a pastor, not presidential advisor. But he admits it did surprise him a bit when he got pushback from some Christians.

“They said Well, what about being a peacemaker and forgiving and turning the other cheek? Well, the Bible differentiates between how we are to respond individually to people who wrong us,” he explains. “Government’s never been commanded to turn the other cheek or forgive. The Bible says government is to avenge those who practice evil.” [Romans 13:1-7]

Jeffress notes that usually the country unites around a president in times of international conflict, but that the hatred of President Trump among his opponents and the media appears to eliminate that option for them.

“Regardless of our political views, we ought to be praying for our president right now and praying for God’s wisdom as he deals with a very, very tough situation,” the pastor concludes.

Jeffress and Father Jonathan Morris – both regular Fox News contributors on faith issues – discussed this issue earlier today (see video below).