[Pastor Ralph]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

[Elwood C O'Dell]

Again I agree with Dr. Wilson when he writes, “there are times when you must clearly defend yourself and defeat evil, if you don't want it to prevail.” Sometimes the situations and crimes committed by man against their fellow man make it to where our back is forced against the wall and action has to be taken in order to control the situation.

[Roxanne]

[quote name='Elwood C O'Dell' date='Feb 16 2008, 05:11 PM' post='34216']
Again I agree with Dr. Wilson when he writes, “there are times when you must clearly defend yourself and defeat evil, if you don't want it to prevail.” Sometimes the situations and crimes committed by man against their fellow man make it to where our back is forced against the wall and action has to be taken in order to control the situation.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE MUST DEAL WITH EVIL OUR WAY ..WHICH IS GOD'S WAY!!!!

[Tabatha]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

( Matthew 5; 38-41 ) Of bearing injuries and persecutions, Of borrowing and lending,( Matthew 5:42 )Of love and hatred, ( Matthew 5:43 -46 ) Of Civil Respect, ( Matthew 5: 47 ) Christ's disciples must resemble their Heavenly Father., ( Mattthew 5: 48 )
The only example I can think of to defend ourselves is when evil attacks our country, our schools, our families for no reason. But I believe it must be done in a just way not in reveange.

[Cee]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

Yes, there are times when we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle, but first put on the Full Armor of God on. An example is, if someone is trying to walk up to me and just take something that I'm holding in my hand that is mine.

[charisbarak]

Yes, there is a time to defend against evil. Our servicemen & women are on the front lines fighting evil for our United States!! They need our prayers daily. I think, too, if our families are threatened we need to defend them & ourselves. We then need to let the justice system (& God) mete out the punishment. We need to forgive them, pray for them & thus love them. (hard hard hard)

[Patricia A]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44)

If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?


There are times when in War when military are fighting to defend our free country, when people are violently attached and other situations when one needs to defind himself and help defend others. We need to strive not to develop hate for others even though we might need to attempt to defind ourselves.

[s8nfighter]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

I agree with the saying, "In order for evil to succeed all that is required is for good people to do nothing." The underlying principle is not found in just these two verses but in the entire bible. What sets apart the verses of 39-42 and verse 5:44 amd 22:39 is the order in which good enters into the equation.

I am not saying that all evil can be averted by first doing good, we know that evil still abounds, but I will go out on a limb and say that most evil acts come from desparation and those desparate acts can be nullified with compassion first. We all know the difference, if someone is getting beat up and I see it I would be the first to help. If I see someone stealing from another I have chased after them and caught them. Yes this is proper action. But on the same hand I have not called nor retaliated against someone who stole from me, but I did quit helping them out, and told them that I have done all I could do and all that remained for me to do was pray for them. And I never quit praying for them. Two years later they are in church, with a year of sobriety.

I don't know too many people with a full stomach that would steal a plate of food. And when I hesitate to forgive someone because they have stolen either my time or money that I have invested in them, I remember the investment that God made in me while I was still a sinner. What a chance He took. Before we judge another we first must ask, "Was the risk that God took worth it?"

Darrell

[JanMary]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

1)Yes, absolutely. Thank God for our brave men and women in the military who defend our nation against outside attacks, and now for the first time, possible attacks from terrorists within our borders. The genocide in Africa, the sex slavery of women around the world....the list goes on and on. Closer to home, the police come to mind as fighting evil men. Or a citizen may have to defend his/herself against an intruder, or an abuser, etc.

[love.serve.know]

Christ overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple.

[jjj]

Yes a physical response does sometimes need to be expressed, however often dealt with in prayer and warfare first will often lessen or eliminate certain situations. Evil is discerned and I can see many situations in defending old, young, military response etc but in total consultation with God. It is a hard one.

[tom.nabors]

Self-defense to protect the lives and property of our families and others from those who have obvious evil intent would be one example of using physical response would be condoned. This should only be done to the extent the evil is restrained and turned over to the judical authority.

[Lunga]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

there is no other way we can defend ourselves because we might sin.it is God Himself who will revenge and He is faithfull to give us wisdom on how to deal with the evil men.

[Bonnie Nelson]

Q5. If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

Yes, defending yourself is a natural idea. If someone threatens you with physical harm, you should defend yourself and your family. We should be doormats for people to tread on. But, we should be careful that we do not defend ourselves just for the right of defending. There are times that we should look at what others say, and let our pride fall to gain greater understanding of what the Lord wants us to do.

Pray for people who attack you. Instead of groveling in self-pity or anger, turn it around and pray that the Lord will convict your enemy.

[June]

We are to love our neighbors but not to the extent that allows them to do evil against us and rob us of our love for God. God's Holiness, Purity, Will and Standards are not to be compromised in our love for all people. Just show Christian love to all.
If someone breaks into the house, hurts or maims a loved one, then I think Christian love goes out the window. We are defending what God has given us and to our families.

[mags]

Yes there are times we are called to defend ourselves physically against evil men - but it isn't usually a personal action. You need to, and should, stand against evil but it doesn't mean to be self-righteous, vindictive or with resentment. It should still be done in love as it is not for us to condemn or judge.

[Stan]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

Yes, I think that we are to always to be able to defend our selfs from evil. We are not to go out of our way to seek revenge but to protect ourselves and families. Jesus told the disciples at the last supper that while He was with them that they had no need for purse or sword but when He was gone they were to take their staffs and swords. He also is coming back to revenge those who have died for His name. His tongue is described as a double edged sword.
I believe examples are any that envolve protecting those we love. We also should being to help those who are being threatened due to their religious beliefs.

[sahala p.s.]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

Yes, there are times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle. Some examples are we must depend ourselves against ones that want to harm us, we must depend ourselves against ones that want to rape us, and we must depend ourselves against ones that want to send us to prison without a law process.

[JustJeff]

Actually I feel that God's love is tough love. Historically He had to use a heavy hand many times in an effort to bring His people back to Him. He did because He loves us. He also did this to defend and strengthen His commandments.
In an inner city mission, which is the ministry where the Lord has placed me, we deal with some pretty tough characters. We have worked with career criminals, drunks and stoned men and women totally out of control, knife wielding youths and more. I don't believe Jesus put us here to be martyred at the hands of a disillusioned kid but rather to love and give them an opportunity to gain life at the feet of Jesus. Unfortunately every once in awhile you have to use a rod to spare the child.

[Lisa Rupert]

Q5. (Matthew 5:39-44) If the principle that underlies verses 39-42 is found in verse 44 and 22:39, are there times we must defend ourselves physically against evil men in order to fulfill the principle? What might be some examples?

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

— Edmund Burke