When should we turn the other cheek when physically or verbally struck? When should we respond with appropriate force?

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 01 May 2015 13:37:55 -0400

I know I should turn the other cheek when I am presenting the gospel of Christ to others; when I am defending the faith delivered once for all to the saints; and when I am serving in a ministry capacity and only my health and safety is threatened.
I believe I should turn the other cheek when I am physically or verbally assaulted by my own child who is taking out frustration on me as their father.
I believe I should respond with appropriate force: when the physical safety of my family is threatened; when it is my duty to respond with force [military, security or police force]; when I am ministering and the health and safety of those I am ministering to is threatened.
Appropriate force can be range from minimal force through incapacitating to killing depending upon the type and extent of threat.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 1:42 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 May 2015 13:42:48 -0400

There is alot of room for decision in this question but in my opinion I believe it takes a bigger man to walk away then it does to stay and fight. Now don't misinterpret what I am saying because there are times you must stay and fight but one must pick there own battles.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 1 at 2015 2:05 PM

SFC Stephen King — Fri, 01 May 2015 14:05:48 -0400

This takes self regulation I have had altercations in my life that lead to physical. However, I have learned to be more fluid in life. I believe to balance life is the key. All of us get angry and our thoughts are the result of what we feel and do. I control my thoughts prior to getting physical to be more balanced

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 1 at 2015 2:09 PM

SFC Joseph James — Fri, 01 May 2015 14:09:52 -0400

I get the " Turn the other cheek" idea but I'm still going to defend myself if they physically touch my cheek, Not just emotionally " touch" it.

Response by CPO Glen Gassman made Jul 8 at 2015 2:41 PM

CPO Glen Gassman — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:41:52 -0400

This is a very deep topic. I know I struggled with the use of force in the discharge of my duties while I was enlisted. Older, wiser men told me that there was a need for that use of force, as well as a need for the men and women to judiciously utilize it. I became very introspective of my actions and often discussed any troubling actions with my wife or a priest. The other side of my coin is anger. When I have been in confrontational or potentially deadly situations, I always struggled with keeping my anger in check. To the point I became a self-taught master of anger management. Then I became a father and had to relearn everything I knew about anger and patience. Regardless, serving my country or serving my family are both labors of love. As for turning the other cheek while ministering, I have no frame of reference for that. My evangelizing occurs in rather benign settings with little resistance. At most, I may encounter ridicule, but never violence.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Aug 29 at 2015 11:20 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 23:20:34 -0400

Jesus said:Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
To fully understand Bible verse and who and how they apply one must study using the method God said to use :2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Apostle Paul who is the Apostle to us gentiles and the people in the church today:
Rom_11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
1Ti_2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
2Ti_1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Paul said: Act_23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
He also said :1Ti_5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Jesus was talking on how people must live during the Millinenuim Reign. Paul being our Apostle said if you don't provide for your family you are worse than an infidel. If you don't protect yourself, you will become unable to provide for your family. If you don't protect those you love, you don't provide. Paul also said: Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
There is a big difference in self protection and protecting the ones ou love when the need arises. It would be wrong to go seeking veangence AFTER the fact. Defend yourself and those you love. If a man slaps you and walks away it would be wrong for you to seek veangence, but if a man is attacking you, by all means defend yourself and your family, not doing so makes you worse than an infidel.

Response by Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire made Nov 22 at 2015 11:42 AM

Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 11:42:30 -0500

The first time I was truly persecuted (I dislike that word persecuted) I was in a discussion with "one person" in a group of 6 on the Bible. This person was Catholic and I'm a Christian. Known this person for 7 years as a friend. When I made the statement that "If you don't accept Jesus Christ as your savior, you will die from your sins an never see Heaven"! I was yelled at with; you F*%^$ moron, you F@!*%&$ idiot, shut the F#&% up!!!! I had to hold my temper, it was like Gods Hand came across my mouth, and all I said was, "thank you" to all 6 , an under my breath, "for Your Glory Father"! I stayed with this group of 6 men because we were all contract workers at a refinery. I didn't discuss Gods Word with them after that. Would I of struck back if I was physically struck by my friend? Honestly, "not sure". Hopefully I would not strike anyone back. These are my feeling at my present age of 65. Does age matter? I think so! The more wisdom we gain from God, the more "we change into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ"!!! That's what life should be all about!

Response by Cpl Shane Cunningham made Nov 22 at 2015 2:43 PM

Cpl Shane Cunningham — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 14:43:03 -0500

There's a time for war and a time for peace

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 22 at 2015 5:58 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 17:58:21 -0500

If someone hit me its fight on.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 22 at 2015 6:48 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 18:48:19 -0500

I have never used force to respond to anything verbal. However I am not a big believer in turning the other cheek if someone physically attacks me or a loved one. People can run their mouth as much as they want but they need to keep their hands (or any other weapon) to themselves.