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Matthew 5:39: "But I say unto you, That ye resist no
tevil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to
him the other also."

2007-04-23 13:19:05 · 22 answers · asked by House Speaker 3 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

22 answers

.I found that if Christ is in you john 4:4 that you can turn the other cheek. Your not a coward , the better person is the one who walks away. Before I came to know Jesus I was quick to fight if someone crossed my path. I had a mind to get ride of the person who bothered me. I wanted to use them as an example to others who wanted to fight me. I wouldn't stop till I drew blood or scratched them up real bad .It only makes people call you crazy and want nothing to do with you. You make a bad name for yourself acting like that. Show love instead of hate and you'll win a soul to Christ. love ya

2007-04-23 13:34:12 · answer #1 · answered by needhim40 2 · 0 0

I think it probably depends on the situation. If someone tries to kill you or rob you, I think you can probably defend yourself. We are supposed to defend those that are weaker than us. But if someone is just hitting you to make you look stupid, then you should turn the other cheek.

Certainly, this idea of turning the other cheek when you are hit is for individuals, not gov't. It is the gov't's job to protect ordinary citizens from enemies, both foreign and domestic; an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, etc. is a biblical principle for gov't. The gov't is supposed to be God's minister of justice to keep order and to give people incentive to behave (Romans 13:1-7).

The Bible does tell us as individuals not to return evil for evil. The only way to make evil stop would be to turn the other cheek, because if you hit back, then the person you hit gets hurt, but if you don't hit back, oftentimes the person will feel guilty and stop hitting you. This was a big part of how Gandhi got the British out of India, so given time, nonviolent resistance can work wonders. It's also an act of faith to let down your defenses and let God protect you.

2007-04-23 13:35:32 · answer #2 · answered by fuzz 4 · 1 1

<> Actually WRONG.... Funny, the Catholic Gospel was actually on this very topic, just las Sunday. So some Priests actually spoke about this VERY misconception to a billion or so Catholics just 2 days ago. So your question is very timely. I'll say this.... In Jewish culture, as well as most of the surrounding pagan cultures, if not all of them, during that time... believed in returning like with like... or seeking vengeance 10-fold upon your enemy. Steal 1 sheep -- I kill you. Kill my cousin -- I kill your entire family. Kill my family -- I kill your entire Tribe... your town, we basically go to war! This type of escalation, SUPPOSEDLY kept violations or crimes to a minimum. By making the ramifications SO horrible, - by making the revenge 10 times worse.. supposedly no one would do anything bad. RIGHT? Except history has told us this doesn't work. People steal, kill, start wars anyways. Christ, knowing human nature, elevated that teaching. However, Christ was not a pacifist... in the sense that he didn't do "nothing" -- he just didn't seek an eye for an eye... or didn't seek revenge, didn't exact a 10-fold vengeance. When the Soldiers struck Jesus, during his torture, he turned and faced his attackers and asked "why did you strike me?" -- He sought to engage his enemy in dialogue... to reveal their true intentions.. make them examine WHY they treated him badly and made them realize he had done nothing to them to deserve that. In doing so.. he blunted their attacks....made them introspective and reduced their anger. When Christ saw the money changers cheating people at the Temple -- he used a whip to over turn the tables, disrupt their predatory business practices. The bible doesn't say he turned the whip on the business men themselves... NO. He knocked over their tables, knocked the money off the table. Only attacked things.. not people. When Peter used his sword to cut the ear off the Roman Soldier... a situation that easily could have escalated into a blood bath, with all the disciples being killed. WHAT did Christ do? -- He picked UP the ear and re-attached it to the soldier's head. -- he acted first to repair the injustice, fix the problem and reduce hostility. When the "attack" is an insult... sometimes ignoring it is the best way to resolve the situation. When the attack is physical or the attacker more determined... sometimes talking them down is best. Other times, defending your life is the only way out of a situation. ___________________________________ Though my Priest didn't mention this, last Sunday.... The Catholic church HAS given this a lot of thought. If you Google "just war doctrine" you'll see what I mean. The Catholic Church has developed a very advanced concept called "The Just War Doctrine" which spells out, under what circumstances an individual or a nation can defend themselves in a justifiable way. It's based on biblical principles. That we ALL have a right to life. If that life is threatened, we have a right to defend it, or to defend those lives which are in our care. Here are some concepts from it... -- A "just war" can only be for defense, not offense. -- All diplomatic avenues must have been exhausted -- The defense must have a reasonable chance of success, as to not be a useless slaughter. -- Civilian casualties must be avoided at all costs. -- Prisoners of war must be treated humanely -- Terms of surrender must be fair and not overly penalize the other side. There are MANY more provisions to it, including references to Weapons of Mass destruction, Chemical and Biological weapons, "no quarter laws" etc. Even stockpiling arms, selling weapons and how to deal with 'conscientious objectors' aka protesters.

2016-04-01 04:13:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Yes. Christianity does denounce self-defense. I'm guessing though that there's a contradictory verse in there that is somehow more "important" than Matthew 5:39, and hence, America's war in Iraq is defensive and just.

2007-04-23 13:21:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

The passage and action of someone smiting "thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." should be taken in historicaly culturual context of what it meant in that day and age.

Is it a long-held misnomer that it relates to the Christian ideals of pacifity. In that period of time, when the right cheek is slapped we are to offer the left cheek. By offering the left cheek we are asking under self-control under provocation for the aggressor to *acknowledge* that I am his equal, that I am his brother/sister, his complete and utter equality in life status and rankings. By permitting the aggressor this chance to acknowledge this equality could in turn, be uncomfortable and a bit demeaning to the aggressor to acknowledge such.

In context with the passage, "That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." - is that by offering my left cheek, I acknowledge you my brother/sister as you are my equal and you are forgiven for the slap.

Jesus taught love, equality, forgiveness. It's not about "standing up for yourself " but standing up for one's ideals as Jesus taught.

2007-04-24 05:17:02 · answer #5 · answered by StarStuffs ♥ 5 · 0 0

I believe this verse refers to revenge or vengeance, not self-defense. The answer is in the first part of the sentence. Do not provide resistance to evil. Evil thrives on resistance. If it does not meet resistance, it does not continue. I think Gandhi said it best, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind".

2007-04-23 14:04:49 · answer #6 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 0 1

You should turn the other cheek whenever possible but that does not mean that we should allow ourselves to be taken advantage of, or succumb to evil or hurtful people.

We have the right to fight evil (or mean) people in self-defense only however. I don't believe in revenge or an overreaction. But I certainly believe in protecting the innocent, our families, etc.

Just as we study in martial arts, it is better to get out of a situation as peacefully as possible than to stay and fight just for fighting's sake.

2007-04-23 13:30:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

There is a time to fight. Chose your battles wisely. Try to avoid fighting, if that doesn't work then you have to do what you have to do. There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your brother, and you would not be putting your life at risk or saving your brother if you just turned the other cheek, you would have to get in there and defend.."however".

2007-04-23 13:27:48 · answer #8 · answered by clbinmo 6 · 0 1

I think "turning the other cheek" means ignoring rather than battling. It means ignoring someone who verbally attacks you and therefore maintaining your dignity. But in physical attacks, you don't have much choice. It's either you fight back or run away.

If you are referring to a physical attack- I woud leave this up to instinct.

In other words, the meek may inherit the earth, but don't be a wussy just because that's what the bible dictates.

*

2007-04-23 13:26:30 · answer #9 · answered by GallopingGrasshoppers 3 · 0 1

No, no, no! Jesus does say to turn the other cheek but that means to forgive the person who has wronged you. If someone is coming at you with a butcher knife, God doesn't expect you to stand there and not protect yourself. Likewise a man is commanded to protect his wife and family. Self defense or that inner instinct to survive is something that God placed in us all. So it is not a sin to protect yourself when your life, your family, your body, or personal possessions are in danger.

2007-04-23 13:25:35 · answer #10 · answered by drivn2excelchery 4 · 3 1

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