i grapple with this , i know jesus said to turn the other cheek, but some days i just wanna throttle people.
am i bad christian for wanting to defend the faith
2007-10-03 13:31:13 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
then smack away, ill take it like a man
2007-10-03 13:34:28 · update #1
No, it's normal to feel angry at someone for their ignorance. Just don't let your emotions get the better of you.
2007-10-03 13:34:54 · answer #1 · answered by IllusionOfSafety 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, He said to turn the other check, but I don't recall Him saying anything about being a door mat! Look, call it "righteous indignation" which essentially is what Jesus did it the Temple when He chased out the money changers. I don't think he actually "throttled" anyone in the process so you might want to hold yourself back just a little on that accord.
2007-10-03 15:34:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you do defend the faith, you would be putting yourself on the same level of the average Muslim ! This seems to be the difference between Christ's teaching and that of Muhammad.
I believe that you will be much more content following the teachings of a loving Christ than a vengeful Muhammad !
2007-10-03 13:40:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should turn the other cheek. Grappling people is not a good way to defend your religion, it's a good way to lose your religion. It takes a far bigger person not to give into temptation and grapple people.
2007-10-03 13:35:26 · answer #4 · answered by word 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to take the "turn the other cheek" in context, and remember, Jesus also turned over the tables in the marketplace (temple). The letter kills and the Spirit gives life. If you're led by the Spirit to turn the other cheek, turn it, if you're led to rebuke the pharisees, rebuke them. I'd rather be a "bad" Christian than a "good" heathen. In my human capacity to think, I hardly think God would to take offense to you defending the faith. However, you should expect, welcome, and thank God when you are persecuted in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
2007-10-03 13:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by Halfadan 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I was being less than serious, I would say "depends on which "cheek" you turn.
But seriously, God says to turn the other cheek and forgive "70 x 7". However we are not to be a doormat for others to walk on. In other words, forgive, but don't fall for the same thing again.
2007-10-03 13:36:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can defend the faith without resorting to violence. Turn the other cheek was really about seeking revenge. You're supposed to forgive instead of perpetuating the cycle. That doesn't mean you have to let religious attacks go unanswered, it just means you demonstrate your faith instead of proclaiming it.
2007-10-03 13:35:52 · answer #7 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. You are a good Christian for not giving in to your wannas. If a man asks for the shirt off your back and it cost you $100 are you a bad Christian for not giving it to him and throwing in your $250 coat also?
2007-10-03 15:11:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always remember that western (I believe Jimmy Stewart is the lead role) where outlaws are terrorizing a town and the preacher used to be a law man. The outlaws come up to the preacher and slap him asking him what the good book says about that. Jimmy Stewart says: It says to turn the other cheek. The outlaws slap his other cheek. Then Jimmy Stewart says: after that the Bible is silent on the situation - then he whollops the hell outta 'em.
2007-10-03 13:37:47 · answer #9 · answered by Cinthia Round house kicking VT 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to understand the cultural relevance of this story. In Jewish tradition, if someone struck you, it was possibly rash and do to anger. By turning the other cheek to them, you were giving them a chance to hit you again....but then it would be intentional and prove that they were the one truly at fault.
It doesn't mean to become a pushover.
2007-10-03 13:44:08 · answer #10 · answered by richter_marc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christ died for you, He could have done some major damage to the ones that persecuted Him, but didn't. He (like you) knew the truth and set the example for us to follow. He knows how hard it can be for us, but it will never be as hard as it was for Him.
I find that if I say the "Serenity Prayer" it helps me get through the times when I just want to wring someone neck...try it, it couldn't hurt :-)
God, grant me the
SERENITY
to accept the things
I cannot change the
COURAGE
to change the
things I can
and
WISDOM
to know the difference
2007-10-03 13:45:20 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋