What do you think of Martial Arts?

Answer my prior questions, and I'll be happy to answer yours.

martial arts don't originate in temples of idols.
they originate in war; they are disciplines of making war. that's what the word 'martial' means: war-like or having to do with war.

i practice historical European martial arts, specifically hand-and-a-half & two-hand swordfighting after the high German & Italian styles, along with some other associated skills with staff, spear, dagger & grappling.

i find it edifying to understand the wise use of an actual sword in application to the use of our spiritual one, and i also find the discipline and physical training involved to be prudent and useful towards general health and the overall subjection of the body to the will.

my police-sergeant friend tells me that a man with a knife in his hand 20 feet away has the upper hand on him. in the time it takes him, highly trained and disciplined officer, to unholster his pistol, take off the safety & raise it to aim, the man with the knife can have already crossed that twenty feet and completely nullified the advantage the firearm has.

of course the outcome depends on reaction time, intent, and skill of both parties. just to say, it's possible; it's even possible for an unarmed man to overcome someone with a gun if he has the initiative.

my swordfighting instructor says this: strength brings victory, but skill overcomes strength, and speed overcomes both strength and skill.

i'm a little unclear -- is this 'the Satan hand signs' ?

That's fear speaking. Sadly, very prevalent especially among the evangelicals.
I always think, I could've been born in Asia or another culture. I'd be still seeking for ultimate truth like I did where I was born. It's not a fault to be born in a certain place. If I never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel I'm sure God would've led me to the closest message of truth available and teach me some more in my spirit.
I don't think we should come to other cultures in fear and contempt. It's a horrible witness for Christ, and not what Christ would want. We need to come to them in lovingkindness. After all, the whole creation longs for Jesus

Yes, martial arts does originate from temples of idols. Did you miss the post about the origin of Tai Chi, where sources were cited? I can cite sources for other forms of martial arts originating from temples of idols. What sources have you cited, other than the words from your own mouth, from the figments of your own imagination, to refute me and what I have shared? So far, I see NONE.

Those verses are not at all about martial arts. Your words are your own commentary in taking the verses out of the context in which they were written to wrest them into false doctrine. Show me a single verse in the King James Bible where it is written that this is "martial arts". Clue: It isn't there because nowhere in The Holy Bible is "martial arts" taught.

I thank God then that Light is the fastest of all because satan is very crafty in his skill, overcoming even the strong ones

ahem:

martial arts are not religious practices and they are not 'divination' and 'divination' isn't an invitation for demon-possession.
yoga is not a marital art, is not divination, and is not even remotely related to actual Indian martial arts

martial arts are formalized disciplines of training for readiness & skill in physical confrontation.

you are right that i'm still on page 4; i haven't finished reading all of the thread yet. but the more ignorant of the whole topic you sound -- although i must give you credit, you're making the thread interesting with your raving, as misguided as it may be

You intrigued me now to look up swordfighting instructions. May be very beneficial spiritual lessons lying around for the use of our spiritual sword. Pretty much any advice that exists battle wise, such as "don't underestimate your enemy", or "always sharpen your sword", can be applied to spiritual fight and I wonder how people don't see that. I read Sun Tzu's Art of war with this notion in mind and enjoyed it as an amazing treatise. It's simply applying observed truths from one context to another that is nearly identical. It's a beneficial lesson.

martial: of or having to do with war/combat/attack & defense
art: skill, technique and/or methodology of use/implementation

David says the LORD "trains his hands for war"

that is the very definition of a martial art, and i've given you several witnesses of it being taught by God Himself.

perhaps you, sir, are the one who needs to repent.

Attack a gun, flee from a knife.

Part 1 of a 2 Part Post to include search results:

Satan is very crafty, including using people to subtlely sow discord and division while tickling the ears of the simple and the unlearned.

I have been meaning to ask, but what is the inspiration behind your screen name, which is the name of a specific type of witch, to make it your choice to use in a Christian Forum? Are you a witch working your magic?

I listed but a few links with descriptions. There are many more. Could the sword weilding of a soul weaver have anything to do with martial arts?

http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/soul-weaver
"Soul weavers focus on controlling the powers of life and death. While they tend to make townsfolk a bit nervous - especially if the shambling horde of undead follows them into town - those who face great danger tend to appreciate having such a powerful ally at their side.
Role: Soul Weavers are usually either masters of healing or masters of many small minions, though sometimes they can be masters of both at once."

https://identityv.gamepedia.com/Violetta
"Violetta or "Soul Weaver" is one of 18 Hunters currently featured in Identity V."
About Alias: Soul Weaver
Gender: Female
Career: Freak Show Performer

https://www.poe-vault.com/guides/ul...mancer-ascendancy-bandits-and-pantheon-powers

"Witch. Necromancer. Ultimate Raise Spectres Necromancer Build ... up a Convocation gem makes it a little smoother but your Spectres especially will still be fairly vulnerable until the Soul Weaver and Commander of Darkness keystones on your Necromancer Ascendancy."

https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Soul_Weaver_(3.5e_Class)

Making a Soul Weaver
“ You want to know the secret to Soul Weaving? Look at your shadow. See how it is but a reflection of what you are, but nothing like you at all. Then look at yourself. You see your imperfections, your...needs. The moment you see that you are but a reflection of something else, something greater, and you see how that something is you, but not really you, and when you see that, and wish to be that...well, then you'll know the secret. ” —Olyndyr Yorr, Soul Weaver

Soul Weavers tend towards the solitary lifestyle and rarely integrate themselves into regular society. The only people a Soul Weaver would enjoy the company of are other Soul Weavers. However, when they do decide to join a group of individuals, they tend to be less hostile to those of magic, due mainly to the fact that Soul Weavers possess a certain interest in the arcane and realising one's inner potential and people of magic, such as Wizards, Clerics and Sorcerers especially, also share this interest. However, Soul Weavers are not at terms with non-magic people as Soul Weavers often see them as barbaric, crude, and in some cases, beneath them.
Abilities: Charisma is the most important attribute for a Soul Weaver. It determines a Soul Weaver's inner power and the success of their Soul Weaver abilities. Dexterity is also very important as Soul Weavers possess various forms of evasive abilities as well. Strength is also somewhat important as a last resort as even a Soul Weaver's power has it's limits and they must sometimes resort to more basic forms of combat.
Races: Humans most commonly walk the path of Soul Weaving due to the inner nature of man to discover, search and to become great. The practice of Soul Weaving is frowned upon by many races, as they often see Soul Weavers as evil, unnatural beings. Races like this include Elves, Gnomes and Halflings and Soul Weavers belonging to these races often face exile, and even execution, though this does not stop the odd few from becoming Soul Weavers. Dwarves and Half-Orcs rarely become Soul Weavers as they often lack the discipline and self worth to walk the path of the Soul Weaver.
Alignment: The practice of Soul Weaving, though heavily frowned upon, is not unlawful. Therefore a Soul Weaver can be of any alignment, though more often than not, tend towards neutrality.
Starting Gold: 2d4x10 gp
Starting Age: A special feature of the Soul Weaver is slowed ageing, caused by the constant replenishment of a Soul Weaver's life force. This results in Soul Weavers ageing at 1 third the rate that their race would normally age at. Therefore, recommended starting age is Moderate multiplied by 3.

Table: The Soul Weaver
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Soul Weaver.
Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Soul Weavers are proficient with all simple and martial weapons but are not proficient with any shields or armours, except gauntlets.
Sneak Attack: If a Soul Weaver can catch an opponent when they are unable to defend themselves effectively from their attack, they can strike a vital spot for extra damage. The Soul Weaver’s attack deals extra damage any time their target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the Soul Weaver flanks their target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every four Soul Weaver levels thereafter. Should the Soul Weaver score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet. With a sap (blackjack) or an unarmed strike, a Soul Weaver can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. They cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –4 penalty. A Soul Weaver can sneak attack only living creatures with discernible anatomies—undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to attack. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to sneak attacks. The Soul Weaver must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A Soul Weaver cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.
Evasion (Ex): At 4th level and higher, a Soul Weaver can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If they makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, they instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the Soul Weaver is not wearing armour. A helpless Soul Weaver does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 10th level, a Soul Weaver can react to danger before their senses would normally allow them to do so. They retain their Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if they are caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, they still lose their Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A Soul Weaver of 16th level or higher can no longer be flanked. This defense denies another Soul Weaver or Rogue the ability to sneak attack the character by flanking them, unless the attacker has at least four more Rogue OR Soul Weaver levels than the target does.
Soul Splits: The source of a Soul Weaver's power is their inner ability to separate fractions of their soul, which can be channeled into raw soul power which can be "weaved" into abilities. A Soul Weaver, over time, learns to separate their soul in more efficient ways, granting them more Soul Splits as they become better Soul Weavers. However, A Soul Weaver must always be careful when splitting their soul, as consuming all of a Soul Weaver's Soul Splits causes their soul to fall apart and scatter into thousands of shards of soul across the ether of existence as too much soul has been consumed. When this happens, it is known as a "Soul Shattering". When this happens, the Soul Weaver dies and, as their soul is now scattered across all of existence, they cannot be revived by resurrection spells or the like. The only thing that can bring back a Soul Shattered Soul Weaver to life is the work of a Master Soul Weaver. This all means that a Soul Weaver must always have 1 Soul Split in reserve at all times, or risk Soul Shattering. A Soul Weaver also adds their Charisma bonus to their Soul Splits per day according to level.
Soul Weaving Abilities: The power generated from a Soul Split can be "weaved" into a wide array of abilities. All Soul Weaving abilities are listed below with description, difficulty and Soul Split cost.