Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Christian Podcast Central

Home
Evangelical - Sponsored
Unorthodox Violence

Unorthodox Violence

Last updated on: August 25, 2017 at 2:55 pm by Christian Podcast Central

Unorthodox Violence 2017-08-25T14:55:16-08:00 Christian Podcast Central

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Unorthodox Violence

Unorthodox Violence Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A punch can hurt of a little while – but limp shoulders with hands in pockets can do greater damage in the long run. Unorthodox Violence

Think about this, a fistfight has a few outcomes… you might end up with a bloody nose or black eye, maybe a scar and a story. Shoot, I have had my fair share of fights, scraps, and beatings. I’ve been jumped, had my teeth kicked in, my eyes blackened and my nose broken and years later I am fine. Well my nose is still ugly.

But in the long term there is a feeling of courage, self esteem, a willingness and the knowledge that you can stand up for yourself and protect others. That knowledge for a man is life changing and empowering.

On the other hand the passive attitude of slumped shoulders and a hung head that tries to avoid trouble at all cost that also has a lasting outcome.

In my many years working with high school students, then young adults and even grown men I have seen the guys who have accepted the insults as truths, that have no courage or self esteem, and there is an emotional pain that lasts longer than any fistfight. These guys believe they are victims so they let others victimize them.

I believe this is because these guys were never given permission to stand up and be dangerous.

On that day I had come home from school and told my dad that a kid in class had talked about how he had Ummmm “Relations” with my mother and he was going after my sister next. I knew this guy was a scumbag. I knew I wanted to shut his mouth but dad always told me to stand up for myself, never start a fight, but be the guy who finishes the fight. So when I came home I asked what I do in this situation. How do I deal with this guy talking about my family? And that’s when dad went primal and gave me permission to protect and defend the honor of my family.

I remember the look of fire in my father’s eyes as he crouched down and got in my face. When dad got mad his neck disappeared and his head sunk into his shoulders. All the wrinkles in his forehead disappeared. His eyes would sink back in his skull. His jaw would stick out and he would speak through clinched teeth. As I watched my dad go from human father to animalistic protector I got scared and thought I was in deep crap. And then he said through his teeth “if anyone, ever, talks about your mother or your sister you put them down. And if anyone ever touches them you make sure they don’t get up”.

I remember this conversation clearly like it was yesterday. Because it was the moment where my dad (the biggest toughest guy in my world) didn’t just give me permission to fight but he empowered me to be a defender, to be dangerous. My dad wasn’t then nor is he now a violent man and he wasn’t a fighter. But you better believe he was a tough man and he wasn’t ever going to let someone bully someone or hurt someone he loved.

But Mike, “Jesus said turn the other cheek”. Yep… but read this.

Matthew 5:38-39 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek turn to them the other cheek also.”

Now what you got to understand is culturally if you were to be struck on the right cheek by a right hand then you were getting a backhand. This isn’t going to hurt you or knock you out; it was just an insult or sign of disrespect. You weren’t going to get hurt, just punked out.

Jesus also said…

Luke 22:35-36 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!

Jesus told the disciples to arm themselves and be prepared for any situation.

Jesus also said…

Luke 11:21, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house his possessions are undisturbed.”

Yep, a man should protect his house and family.

We can go on… David wrote in Psalms

Psalm 18:34, “He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.”

Psalm 144:1, “A psalm of David. Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle.”

David is telling us that God had prepared him and trained him for battle.

Now before you lose your mind and run out to start a fight.

God also commands us…

Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

See, it is very important to know that we are supposed to do all we can to live in peace with others. Yes we are supposed to live peaceful, as much as we can. But when we do all we can and others are still pushing… then defend yourself.

We are not supposed to be violent or aggressive men, but we are supposed to be prepared to defend our families, our people and ourselves.

when it’s ok to fight

Previous Post

August 24, 2017

Reasonable Faith Podcast: Are We in a Post-Truth Society?

Next Post

August 25, 2017 Relational Toolshed: Motivating People without Bribery with Rick Chromey

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Brad Stine Has Issues Christian Podcast Central Classic Podcast Experience God Life Grounded Ouxano Parent Like You Mean It The Protest Show with Thor Ramsey The Summit Lecture Series Uncategorized What You’ve Been Searching For

Select a Month July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 June 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz