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| Christian Non-Violence |
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6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual `hosts' of wickedness in the heavenly `places'.
Christianity teaches: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (physical) but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (Paul of Tarsus, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 New Testament KJV)
As human beings, however, we love to wage war on the wrong front. We want to make our battles and our enemies "outer" instead of "inner" -- physical instead of spiritual, mental, and emotional. We want to fight against individual people, groups of people, or nations; rather than against fear, resentment, prejudice, hopelessness, depression, pride, and other inner enemies.
But what difference does it make if we defeat an "outward enemy" and yet remain in bondage to "inward enemies"? Alexander the Great is said to have conquered the entire known world, but he couldn't conquer depression and died young and miserable. What good did Alexander's outward victories do him when he wasn't strong enough or brave enough to win his inward battle?
Often those who fight the loudest outwardly are running away in fear from their inward battles! This is true both for individuals and nations. Nations frequently use warfare to redirect the attention of their citizens away from domestic problems by putting it on an "enemy". Individuals argue, blame, and fight with other people to avoid facing their own fierce inner enemies.
Physical violence is a sign of great insecurity; whether that violence be by an individual or by a nation. Even retaliatory violence shows insecurity -- a fear of physical harm, a self-righteous lack of trust in God's supernatural protection; a disbelief in the power of inner weapons.
In the past 60 years Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. (and their millions of committed followers) have clearly demonstrated the power of love through non-violent direct action to change nations and overcome oppressors. Yet we stubbornly ignore the awesome accomplishments of non-violence and cling to our physical weapons, ever increasing their horror, their terror, and their power to "surgically" kill our so-called enemies. Lord, have mercy on us!  |
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| This is true...and it's too bad Gandhi didn't serve the right Master, cuz he was commited...he'd have been a phenomenal Christian. |
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| Oh yeah, and one of my fav quotes is by Gandhi: "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." |
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| I appreciate that, Bubbles. |
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| Very interesting blog Brother Steve, very interesting! |
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| Glad you read it with an open mind, Evangelist Keith! |
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| Thank you, woman of laughter. |
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| WOW very powerful Steve, you have a very good point I must say. |
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| Thanks for reading it, MaKelly! |
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Cyn |
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May 20, 2008 at 6:56am |
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| This is an awesome blog..I really enjoyed this! |
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Eden |
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May 20, 2008 at 8:07am |
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Great Blog! Godbless You |
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Joey |
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May 23, 2008 at 7:57pm |
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Sometimes.... the silent are fighting the enemy as well, for fear comes from the enemy. Good blog! |
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