My good friend, Christian Brother and fellow Kung Fu instructor Nestor Hernandez told me that he has a burden to teach reality based self defense to missionaries. He was telling me how Christians are being beaten, tortured and killed in other countries on the mission field. Yet, some Christians believe in turning the other cheek instead of defending themselves. Let be answer some questions you might have.
For more information on reality based self defense call me at 305 599-3649. God Bless!
But I’m a Christian, I don’t believe in Violence?
Learning self defense can help stop violence! The Bible says that those that live by the sword, shall die by the sword (Matt 26:52, Rev 13:10). Yet, don’t forget that Jesus told his disciples to sell their coats so they could buy swords. The disciples told Jesus that they had two swords. Jesus replied “That is enough” (Luke 22:36-38). I don’t think it would be to our advantage to carry swords in today’s society. Yet, Jesus himself believed that a sword equivelent to a gun or rifle in today’s society was more important than having a coat to keep you warm. I believe that this tells us that we should not seek a life of violence; yet if two swords were good enough for twelve disciples, self defense for protection is good enough for believers.
Fighting and defending yourself and loved ones are not the same thing. Fighting is scheduled self defense is un-scheduled. Fighting is preventable. Self Defense is not. Fighting because of pride, anger, hate, greed, jealousy or the desire to harm another person is wrong and against God’s laws. How many parents would let a predator molest their child or any other children? How many Christian men would stand and watch their wife get raped? Not many I’m sure. So why not learn to defend yourself and others?
As Christians we should imitate Jesus. Didn’t Jesus turn the other check?
Many Christians believe that we should imitate Jesus and turn the other cheek to violence and evil people. But, there is a time and a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The same Jesus that turned the other cheek, also turned over tables and chased out with a whip the merchants in the temple selling animals for sacrifices (John 2:13-17). Then 3 years later he drove the merchants out of the temple again (Matt 21:12-16, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-46). I would like to quote the words of the late Ed Parker, father of American Karate, “God gave us the right to protect ourselves, our family, our country and God’s laws. When Jesus found the money lenders desecrating the Temple he wiped them and started a riot!” As Christians we have the right and duty to defend ourselves, our families and anyone in danger. The Bible has no law against a Christian defending himself/herself.
