Acts of Anger (To overcome anger must we not act against it?)

[MichaelAH]

Romans 12: 18

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.


With the use of the word possible does this mean when not possible it is only good to die? (I am not meaning suicide, I mean if faced with death as an alternative to doing evil if forced upon by another.)

Romans 12: 21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

In faithless actions that are considered evil, does the presence of faith and knowledge of scripture allow that same action to be done in the form of good if it stops or removes the first action that is done in evil? I do not understand what it means if it is POSSIBLE. Say a person was to break into my house and threaten my family, is my unwillingness to not do evil to stop that person "good"? (Not taking instinctual action to attack first) If I were alone in the house and the threat was to myself and there was no good way to stop my own death then I would be more at peace. Or is facing the evil so inevitable that I must only face it with complete trust in the Lord and in this scenario let what evil will happen?


I do not normally dwell on what ifs concerning such horrible things. But I am struggling with watching so much bad grow in this world. Is it truly not up to men to fight against evil in physical form, if anger is not the root of action?

 

[Tintin]

It isn't evil to defend your family from an intruder. The command is "you shall not murder", not "you shall not kill".

 

[crossnote]

There is a difference between righteous anger (such as when you protect your loved ones from harm) and a fit of rage where you 'fly off the handle' at someone.

 

[MichaelAH]

So I'm probably over complicating things. I am trying not to do that as I read and sometimes I succeed. But there are times when I don't allow simplicity. Thanks for the help!

 

[MidniteWelder]

3a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

As humans our emotions can be driven and provoked.
The enemy knows this.
God as our Father, counsellor, teacher in many ways is telling us to be conscious and aware of this fact.
To have the cognisance to not allow the situation to drive ones emotions to the point of acting beyond reason.
A fit of rage, such as an attack to murder would be acting beyond the point of being able to reason or use logic.
However within self defense, such as war for protecting ones country against an attacking nation or even defending your own homefront, a person is not often driven to a fit of rage to engage in some kind of chaotic killing spree.
In the situation a person would face in self defense it is more likely a person would be calculating life preservation, assessing the situation, the surroundings, available exits, considering options of safely fleeing before fighting.
Then when faced with the last resort of having to kill or be killed the options have already been weighed and thought out to prevent from having to do so, even so much as addressing the intruder with a warning before engaging in purposeful bodily harm.

There is a time for everything a time to turn the other cheek, and times to turn the others cheek.

One way to look at it would be,
dont be a provoker or instigator.
If nobody provoked there would be no reason for a person to be forced to defend themself.
That would be living in peace if at all possible
We are also told, a kind word turns away wrath.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Listening to the Lord guide, understanding the situation and the other person and why they may be provoking
Sometimes they may be justified.
A car accident for instance
One person gets out of their vehicle fully intent on serving justice in the heat of the moment.
This may be a time which calls for neutralizing the situation with understanding how the other person is feeling at that particular moment in time, and to be a Christian about it. To not fuel the fire in order to prevent it from escalating.
It is usually when someone is demanding justice when not all sides of the proverbial coin are being seen and they are only seeing their side.
This is when Gods character being shown through us can make an impact and set a good example

However I dont believe as Christian we should always turn the other cheek when faced with an immediate fight, flight, or play dead scenario.
We were given a higher intelligence within our brain for another added response choice.
Negotiate
This is another choice in confronting a threat in order to deal with it.
An example of this would be
Proverbs 25:8
do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
Matthew 5:25
Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way

Not every situation is the same and each calls for its own unique measure in how it may be dealt with.
The Lord leads which is why if ones emotions become in control, its the emotions which start leading in favor of God.
But then again it does say live by the sword die by the sword.
I think thats a personal choice which God gave, that if an individual always retaliated in self defense without weighing the other options he gave us, the likelihood of how one would die would be by the tool they always use to settle matters.
But I dont see where it says not to use the sword if needed, just that one is warned of how they may possibly end their own existence. (possibly for not listening to him and utilizing more beneficial and productive methods when the situation calls for it, being stubborn, or hard headed in doing so, which effectually would make that person less useable for Gods purposes in every single possible situation where there is more than one possible outcome. Often outcomes easily overlooked if only viewed within the limitations of our own eyes.)
Nothing wrong with defending yourself, just be sure you are acting in Faith when doing so.