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Bible Question: How
can we apply Matthew 5:39-40, Proverbs 24:29 and Proverbs 25:21
to the terrorists who want to destroy America? Deuteronomy 19:21
says that if there is a witness to the crime then show no pity
and take an eye for an eye. If Jesus is God, then did He not
say these things? These verses sound contradictory.
Bible Answer:
God
assumes that husbands will protect their wives, fathers will
protect their families, cities will protect citizens, and that
a nation will guard and defend its people. God implies this
in the Psalms when He says,
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.
. . Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps
awake in vain. (NASB) Psalm 127:1 |
God does not say that guarding a city is wrong. In
fact, He will help the watchman. He assumes we will protect
ourselves from violence. God expects that.
Proverbs
5:39-4 .
So how should we understand
Matthew 5:39-40, Proverbs 24:29 and Proverbs 25:21
?
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But
I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever
slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him
have your coat also. (NASB) Matt. 5:39-40
Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done
to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
(NASB) Proverbs 24:29
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if
he is thirsty, give him water to drink . . . (NASB) Proverbs
25:21 |
These passages are about personal revenge. In the
first passage, Jesus corrected the teachings of the Jewish leaders
who were teaching that personal revenge against another person
was okay as long as you followed certain guidelines. It is amazing
how people can use the Bible for selfish reasons. God wants
us to have a different heart. He wants us to love others and
even help our enemies. He was not telling us to allow others
to harm our family, friends, or neighbors. He is speaking to
the issue of revenge. You may want to read a study in the Sermon
on the Mount to better understand this passage.
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