Why is it that so many people think that because we a christian,?

Question

we should just take whatever the world throws at us and not defend ourselves. God doesn't tell us that we have to be door mats.

I know folks will quote out of context, but believers.....think about it.

I'm not talkng about being vengeful, about defending yourself and your family, we've lit people try to steal our rights from us far too long.

I'm not talkng about being vengeful, about defending yourself and your family, we've let people try to steal our rights from us far too long.

Yes, I know the, turn the other cheek and God is love and that's all true but, what about accountability? We can and should hold all people accountable, why do you supose the law points out our sin if not accountability?

Answer 1

Because many people don't understand that Christianity is a multifacited faith. Whereas God tells us to turn the other cheek, and to forgive and forgive and forgive, He also tells us to face evil and stand against it wearing the full armor of God.

Answer 2

It's not "naturel" to act as a "door mat". But think about it! And this goes for anybody, regardless of what faith they have or don't have.

If someone hurts you there is usually a reason behind it, unless it's an accident. Correct?

Think about what you may have done to give the "other" a reason to hurt you. - and apologize for YOUR "offence"!

Lets say you stepped on someone's toe (actually or verbally). Our "natural" reaction is to retaliate. Remember that this comes "naturally" to you as well as to the "other". But in our "civilized" society we normally overcome the urge to retaliate and apologize, especially if it happened by accident.

If we perceive the "offence" as careless or intentional we are more likely to retaliate. We are not perfect! Neither is the "other". If we don't try to understand and forgive the "hurt" we are starting a chain of retalliations - a fight, a war!

In my opinion we could stop arguing and even fighting wars if only everybody were to use understanding, compassion and forgiveness, which is taught in a number of "religions"!

Retaliation amplifies the conflict and produces more hurt.

Turning the other cheek ends the conflict and helps to heal the hurt.

To Christians: THAT is what Jesus taught and practiced!

To Non-Christians: use your logic! Try it! You may get to like it!

Answer 3

Unfortunately, some people think turning the cheek means putting up with a lot of garbage. It does not mean that. God didn't create any dummies. In fact, He created people to be wise and use what He gave them to educate those who are ignorant about Him. We are to educate, not berate. It is not our job to tell someone that they are a sinner and going to hell. That doesn't win people to God. If you can discuss with someone your beliefs, without using "Christian lingo" or the hell and damnation speech, you will get farther.

Answer 4

1 Peter 3:15, 16: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil things of you, as evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." (KJV)

From this scripture, I see that we should be prepared to give a defense, and that we should do it with meekness (mildness) (where the fear comes in, not fear of those who falsely accuse us, but fear of displeasing God by conduct that is not Christian, especially during a defense of our faith)

Everyone has the right to give a defense of themselves and what they believe, with or without the Bible's statement. Many countries' legal foundation is built on that, as the the UN's human rights committee.

Answer 5

Why is that because I don't go to church I'm put down by my friends and their family, looked at as though I'm this stupid little girl with no future or purpose or meaning.... it goes both ways in your conflict but not everyone is like that. And I've just had a bad exprience I suppose. And I try not to do that but it doesn't matter, everywhere you go someone will be like that until we learn to accept things and that won't happen , it's not in our nature.

Answer 6

Christians have murdered more people than any terrorist group in the world ! The early Chirstian explorers tried to wipe out every culture they came into contact with. In the 1600's over a period of 150 years, the Christian church killed over 150,000 people ( mostly women ) because they thought they were a "witch". And you think you need to defend yourself ?

Answer 7

God never commanded us to take whatever the world throws at us, He did tell us following Him would berin tribulation and persecution, but that does not equate to sitting there and not defending yourself and just letting things happen.

There's a difference between vengance and defending yourself!

Answer 8

No my dear.. No door mats!!
Jesus says Love, forgive, endure, & pray for ppl who hurt you.. which is truely needed to get a pure heart full of jesus... But remember, when Jesus himself was hit, he asked the soldier why u hit me! He didn't hit him back, & didn't curse him, but replied wisely.. He askes us to be wise & promised to grand wisdom to all who need it.. This wisdom will guide us when to defend ourselves & how... But we are strong ppl, because we follow Jesus .. God created us as him honoured children!! Not humilated valueless doormats!

Answer 9

God is Love, and He's all about forgiveness rather than revenge. Likewise, He tells us that we must have love and forgiveness for others. We should allow those who are not believers to "see" Him in us. Be an example for them. For some sinners, we may be the only "Jesus" they ever see.

He does not want us to be a door mat. Never has. Never will.

Deuteronomy 28:13 (King James Version)
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

Operating in love, turning the other cheek, forgiving those who've wronged you, or whatever else you want to call it, is not an act of being a doormat. It's an act of ultimate love towards God in fulfilling His commandment and love towards man. It's about living by His commandments and allowing Him to be in control of our lives. It's "Trusting" Him.

He does tell us to "turn the other cheek." But, it's not so that they'll have a good angle to slap the other one. It's to allow Him to be able to handle the situation. He wants us to lean on Him and let Him be in control. Give Him the problem and let it go - 100%. When He takes care of the "vengence," He can do it so much better than you or I could. And the best part of it all, is He's just likely to have someone give their life to Him (as opposed to us handling the situation and just making people turn further away due to strife).

Depending on God and letting go of it strengthens our faith as well as our character. When we go to Him in prayer, we grow closer to Him. The other person is likely to be saved (which is the ultimate goal). And, any "retribution," if any is due, is going to be far greater than you or I could recoup on our own.

The real enemy here is not our fellow man, but Satan working through them. So, when God collects on our behalf, it's him (satan) that does the paying.

To specifically answer the "WHY" part of why they think we're doormats....because they don't have the light of God shining in their hearts and can't see what we're doing. They don't know that just because they don't see us doing something, that a far greater power is actually taking care of it all, and better than we ever could. And, that they'd better watch out....they're just likely to be our brother or sister VERY soon!

Remember, when someone tried to steal Jesus' "career," He didn't seek retalliation, vengeance or try to "save face." Luke 9:49-56 (Not many people will sit idly by this day and time if someone stole their promotion).

WE SHOULD

Trust in God (Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:16)
Exhibit love (Leviticus 19:18; Luke 6:35)
Give place to wrath (Romans 12:19)
Exercise forbearance (Matthew 5:38-41)
Bless (Romans 12:14)
Overcome others by kindness (Proverbs 25:21,22; Romans 12:20)


Accountability?
If you reread what I've written, you'll see the answer. They are accountable to God, not us. If someone hurts one of my babies, that person is accountable to me! I'll step up into the middle of things and make things right for them. By no means do I expect my child to fight their own battles when they're too young, immature, inexperienced, and don't even know "how" to do that.

Likewise, we don't know how to best fight our battles, but God does. We are commanded to love, and to REST in Him. But, if that person sees the err of his ways and truly repents, then that is the extent of his accountability. If someone asks for forgiveness, God will give it. He's a merciful God. And, that's what He gave His Son for....to forgive us.

So, to say that someone shouldn't be allowed to be forgiven because they should still be accountable is underminding God's power of forgiveness. It's negating what Jesus done for us at the cross. i.e. Jesus "IS" their accountability. Just because "we" can't "see" them "bleed" doesn't mean it's not resolved.

And, for us to hang onto the matter just sitting back and watching for God to make them "pay" really amounts to the fact that you really are NOT forgiving that person. And unforgiveness will only hurt you, not them. So, in the end, you'll be hurt twice (once by them, and once by your own forgiveness).

The best thing to do is, when you forgive, "let it go." Don't keep watching for some result. Don't worry about them being accountable. If you must keep thinking about it, then "worry" about them being saved through God's Love, and what they see you represent. Pray for them. That's the most unselfish thing you can do. And determine that you will not harbor resentment, strife, bitterness, or anything of the like.

Answer 10

Door mats weren't invented then and the world was populated by religious bigots and morons who follow other peoples personal doctines...pretty much like today. Are you implying that as Christian you are suffering from homophobic violence? I don't think so.. if you look around it is the 'so called' Christians who cause more terror, wars, violence and homophobia against minority groups than anyone else on this planet. You have a nerve. you f...bigot