Resist not an evil person - What are the parameters of this?

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1

1still_waters

Guest
#1
#1
Matthew 6
38 “ You have heard that it was said, ‘ An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

What are the parameters of this command from Jesus?

Are believers ever allowed to fight back?

If a believer is being sexually assaulted can they use force?
If a believer is being robbed can they use force?

When shouldn't a believer resist an evil person?
When should a believer resist an evil person?
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#2
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
128
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#2
1still_waters said:
Matthew 6
38 “ You have heard that it was said, ‘ An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

What are the parameters of this command from Jesus?

Are believers ever allowed to fight back?

If a believer is being sexually assaulted can they use force?
If a believer is being robbed can they use force?

When shouldn't a believer resist an evil person?
When should a believer resist an evil person?
Click to expand...
It is a confusing passage. There is a difference between “fighting back,” as you put it, and “defending yourself.” I think it’s okay to defend ourselves if we can’t escape a situation. Maybe Jesus is giving us a way to escape a situation.

By the way, this is chapter 5, not chapter 6.

 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#3
#3
I have heard a different theory on this (though I don' put too much confidence in it, I find it very interesting):

In those days you would have a "toilet hand", right?
Well, if you slapped someone, you never did it with your toilet hand, that would be concidered exreeemely rude. So turning the other cheek would then be a challange to use that hand "how low are you willing to sink?".

However, what I think it means is that you should not go attacking people, or mocking them back, just because they insult you. Personally I do not believe in the use of violence at all, as I have never seen anything good come out of it. (Though if someone tried physically hurting me I am pretty sure I would resist in some way or another.
 
M

mpaper345

Banned
#4
Feb 9, 2010
2,486
39
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#4
A person living for God can never go against anyone verbally or physically,let God handle things,which He said do not repay.for vengeance is mine,I will repay.

The Bible says resist evil,and the Bible says resist not evil,which is not a contradiction.

We resist evil spiritually,but we do not resist evil physically,which Jesus said be harmless as doves.If we fight back we are acting like the world,which God said when the beast makes war against the saints,the saints are not to fight back.
 
1

1still_waters

Guest
#5
#5
Hmm this topic has too much practical applications to expect a ton of answers. :p :p

Jk jk.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#6
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
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#6
1still_waters said:
Hmm this topic has too much practical applications to expect a ton of answers. :p :p

Jk jk.
Click to expand...
I thought that what Jesus said was confusing. Certainly a woman being raped has a right to resist.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#7
#7
1still_waters said:
Hmm this topic has too much practical applications to expect a ton of answers. :p :p

Jk jk.
Click to expand...

I just wonder of we are interpreting the word wrong.

the word can mean to stand against, to appose. to match, I wonder if Jesus is not telling us to not be like them when they appose us, Not to take retribution, or act like them., if they say something against us, don't fight back and try to be like them. for it would make you no better than they are.

just a guess..
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#8
Dec 19, 2009
27,513
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#8
eternally-gratefull said:
I just wonder of we are interpreting the word wrong.

the word can mean to stand against, to appose. to match, I wonder if Jesus is not telling us to not be like them when they appose us, Not to take retribution, or act like them., if they say something against us, don't fight back and try to be like them. for it would make you no better than they are.

just a guess..
Click to expand...
I don’t know if we have to like people that continually mistreat us, but I agree with the part about not fighting back.
 
L

Laodicea

Guest
#9
#9
While Paul did not fight back he did use the law of the land and said he was a Roman citizen.
 
A

AnandaHya

Guest
#10
#10
1still_waters said:
Matthew 6
38 “ You have heard that it was said, ‘ An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

What are the parameters of this command from Jesus?

Are believers ever allowed to fight back?
Click to expand...
its not talking about fighting back or defending oneself but seeking vengenance or if someone hurts or steals from you, making them pay back.

If a believer is being sexually assaulted can they use force?
If a believer is being robbed can they use force?

When shouldn't a believer resist an evil person?
When should a believer resist an evil person?
Click to expand...
its not about resisting evil. we are commanded to stand against evil. Self defense is fine. You step over the line when someone hurts you and instead of forgiving them you seek "justice" by hurting them the same way. its the difference between manslaughter and murder: premeditation.....

An eye for an eye concept involves more about limiting justice to just an eye and not the whole head taken as payment.

I remember listening to a sermon that talked about how the eye for an eye concept was a form of mercy to limit people from demanding MORE. It was a form of justice that limited the victim from taking advantage of the situation and doing WORST to than what was done to them. the endless losing battle of one up manship.

like blood feuds and such. ok my English is slipping. hope that made some sort of sense....
 
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