philosophies, some of which, we got from education,training, society,
public figures, or religiion.
One of the philosopies humans hold dear is that of RETALIATION.
Almost everyone(except genuine christians) belongs to the school of
thought that says: 'An Eye For An Eye','A Tooth For A Tooth'.
To most people it looks stupid and moronic to endure and put up with
ill-treatment without retaliating, let alone trying to be good and
kind in return.
Jesus told his disciples(all believers): 'Behold, I send you forth as
SHEEP in the midst of WOLVES, be ye therefore WISE as serpents, and
HARMLESS as doves'(mtt.10:16)'.
The following points gives clear explanation on how we ought to behave
as christians in the face of persecution, bullying, intimidation,
offence and oppression:
SHEEP AND NOT WOLVES
A sheep is meek, gentle, mild and lamblike, that is it's nature while
a wolf is carnivorous, brutal, fierce, cruel, and violent.
Several times in the Scriptures, Christ likened His followers to a
sheep(mtt.10:16, mtt.25:32-37).
As we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we become born again,
born into a new family, with a new(divine) nature- a nature of
meekness, gentleness,forgiveness and humility like Christ(Rom.6:4,6,
2Peter1:4, phil.2:8).
If we are truly saved, we are expected to exhibit these qualities
whenever we are confronted by those who are wolf-like in nature. A
sheep doesn't behave like a wolf because it was bullied by a wolf. A
sheep remains true to itself, nomatter the persecution or offence.
The early Apostles while persecuted, never retaliated,even Christ, Our
Lord '...was led as a sheep to the slaughter and like a lamb DUMB
before his shearer,so opened not his mouth(Acts8:32).
Jesus says; If we revenge, it simply means we cannot resist, oppose or
say 'NO' to evil, instead we are encouraging it's
continuity(mtt.5:39).
WISE BUT NOT HARMLESS
It takes wisdom to overcome the temptation to retaliate, but at the
same time, your wisdom should go without harm.
These are some wise but harmless decisions you can take to avoid retaliation.
1. Don't hide your feelings; tell the person calmly that
you are not pleased with his/her actions(mtt.5:
23-25)
2. If the ill-treatment continues, stay away from such a
person, but don't indulge in malice, still salute such
person.
3. Pray for them, peradventure they might change for good.(Mtt.5:44)
4. Always understand that the offender is not saved
and not regenerated, at such, don't be
surprised at their actions and reactions.
Deal with them, with this consciousness.
5. Forgive the offender immediately in your heart and take your
mind off what he/she has done(mtt.6:14).
Whenever someone harms you(either verbally or physically), as a
christian,you don't take steps that will hurt him/her.
'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto
wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the
Lord. Therefore If your enemy hunger, feed him, If he thirst, give him
drink: for in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his
head(Rom.12:19-20).
DIOBEDIENCE AGAINST AUTHORITY EXEMPTED
You have to understand that it is not wrong or sinful for an
authority to discipline an erring subject.
You don't expect the Police to tell a thief:'I forgive you, you can
go'. I tell you, that thief will be emboldened to even do worse.
You don't blame the church authority, if they relieve an erring
worker off his/her duty [as we can see in 1Cor.5:1-6].
Also, you don't fold your arms and watch false teachers preach on
heresy(seeing they blaspheme God's word and authority). As an
ambassador of Christ, you '...rebuke them sharply that they may be
sound in faith(Titus1:13).[Though, without being abusive].
This is because it is important and godly as well, to maintain peace,
order and discipline in any organisation, family or nation, and also
to discourage the incidence of sin and wrongdoing.
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