THE BEST SELF-DEFENSE TACTIC

''Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor, only fools insist on quarreling'' - Proverbs 20:3 (NLT)

The introductory lesson on Aikido, a traditional Japanese form of martial arts, was an eye-opener. The lesson simply says when faced with an attacker, your first response should be to “run away.” But, how can a martial art  instructor advice his tutors to first consider running away from a fight? This seems strange and counterintuitive but it must have been based on the premise that the best form of self-defense is to avoid fighting in the first place.

According to the wisest man that have ever lived, the easiest way to have one's name deleted from God's Register of Honour is to fight or launch an attack instead of showing love (Proverbs 20:3). Unfortunately, many people have not  come to terms with this simple but very effective self-defense tactic of God. They believe that the best form of defense is to attack. These people have developed an attack mentality in life!

One of such person with strong attack mentality in the scripture was Apostle Peter. In Matthew 26:47-56, when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus Christ, Peter quickly brought out his sword and smote one of the soldier's ear in self defense. He must have been expecting Jesus to thank him for striking the soldiers. Instead Jesus rebuked Peter publicly for using that crude self-defense tactic (Matthew 26:52). He knew that the tactic can delete Peter's name from God's Register of Honour. Jesus could have engaged the services of twelve legions of angels to deal with the Roman soldiers, but he chose to repay evil with kindness. Rather than asking Peter to cut the soldier's second ear, he chose to mend the one that Peter had struck. Jesus could have also commanded the ground to open and swallow Judas Iscariot instantly for betraying Him, but He never did.

''Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword'' - Matthew 26:52

Friends, have you ever been attacked like Jesus and His disciples? How did you respond? Do you think Jesus would have responded the way you did? Did you smite someone's ear in self defense like Peter? Or did you repay your attacker's evil deeds with kindness like Jesus? Please don't forget only a fool will insist on fighting or quarreling and you cannot afford to be a fool. Your name must not be deleted from God's Register of Honour. It will be very sad and extremely painful if you choose to be a fool.

One powerful poem that re-echoes the best self defense tactic of God in 1 Peter 3:9 is titled "Overcoming Evil With Good".

OVERCOMING EVIL WITH GOOD By Jim Pemberton (2011)

Overcoming Evil With Good... "
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
This verse from scripture is
often misunderstood.

Many tend to "get back" at someone who's "wronged them."
Whether it be from a stranger...or even a friend.
You cannot fight evil with evil-- this isn't God's plan!

His concept of love and mercy-- you need to understand.
Remember the words Jesus said in the beatitudes.
Perhaps this can stop any "revengeful attitudes."

You were called to be holy-- with Godliness in mind.
To be filled with his mercy... being gentle and kind.
Rise above whatever evil may come your way/
Overcome by doing this with God's goodness... today!

Allow the cross of Christ to be lifted up in your life.
Allow his spirit to remove all malice, bitterness and strife.
A compassionate and loving person in you... others will see!

What you do today--will impact your eternity!
An overcomer of evil is often difficult to do.
Obey and trust God-- He will see you through!

May God help us to be like His Son - Jesus Christ who has mastered the art of overcoming evil with good deeds at all times.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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