I was taught to turn the other cheek yet do not let people run over me. However, to know when to fight and when to turn the other cheek is often hard for me to determine. In reading about David in the Bible, I remember David being a fighter yet I also remember David turning the other cheek on many occasions (especially with God's anointed - Saul). I truly enjoy reading about David and the struggles that he went through because I feel I relate to them. I can not relate in the sense that I am running for my life (although it may seem that way sometimes), but in the sense that I like many others have struggles and battles to fight. I will say at times it seems as though people want to destroy me even though I have done nothing to them or can’t think of anything I could have done to make them hate me. The Bible also talks a lot about anger:
Proverbs 20
3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Proverbs 19
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
Matthew 5:46-48 NIV
46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect
As a result, I try my best not to get angry; angry with people or situations. Never-the-less, I’m human. I can not understand why we (notice I say we) can’t do better; be better, treat each other better and etc. Why should I worry about my bother or sister (those in which I should love and should love me)? Enemies I can understand having to stand up to, but those in which suppose to have my back, I can not understand having to fight with.
Getting back to the question of whether to turn the other cheek and stand and fight, how does one knows which to do? Peter even asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his bother when the bother sings against him. “Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)
So what do you think?
