Turn the other cheek, or turn over some tables? - When do we do what?
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It means discerning when we should stand up, and when we should stand down.
Standing down is when we are experiencing abuse, but rather than defend ourselves,
we "turn the other check" thus taking control of the situation passively.
Standing up is when we see, or experience, abuse; but rather than use a passive
strategy, we either defend the one being abused, or are self-protective as an assertive
way to confront the issue, thus taking control of the situation assertively.
This would be "turning over tables."
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Ritajanice
Born-Again
Yes,I always ask God to show me when to stand up and when to stand down.
This has been a hard lesson for me to learn, as I’ve been a single parent all of my life, I went from being a mouse to being a raving looney, the whole neighbourhood would never take me on.
God has /is showing me his ways and teaching me his ways, there is still that old me, who wants to rear up and do it my way at times, not very often now though...I was so badly abused most of my life that I turned, even as a Born Again....I guess I didn’t trust God in that situation, I’ve come a long way though......he is showing me that I don’t have to defend myself in certain situations, he will defend me, and in some situations I know he is standing up for me and he does it through me, if that makes sense.
Great post, thanks.
While reading your post I was reminded of Queen Esther.
Esther 4:14 NIV
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and
deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,
but you and your father’s family will perish.
And who knows but that you have come to your
royal position for such a time as this?”
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Ritajanice
Born-Again
I must share this with you, there was a neighbour who had a car and was parked in our private car park for years, having never been driven, taking up valuable parking space ,it was full of mould inside and moss was growing on the outside of the car, anyway all us neighbours used to complain about it, but didn’t want to take it to civil court proceedings..
I used to talk to God about it , saying how selfish this man was why didn’t he just scrap it, so that someone can use that car space.
Anyway, a week or so back, a gypsy boy came and loaded it up on his truck with some sort of crane attached to his truck,I was watching him load it up onto the truck, as he was loading it, he smashed the windows and the hands of the crane damaged the exterior of the car, he was a scrap metal dealer...I thought great, the owner had given him permission to scrap the car, not so, the gypsy boy had stolen it, the police were involved , there was a right carry on over it, ..anyway, the point is....,we had all been praying that it got removed...just not in that way..what a story eh?..lol.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
That’s the way I saw it too, Brother..,Amen!...I thank God that my son can park in that space when he visits, plus my friends..
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
TigersPaw
Member
Some Tools To Help You - Turn the Other Cheek
some examples and solutions
1. In school being bullied or teased is a powerless situation in schools since the beginning of time.
now days resulting is some school shootings.
A: 15,012,800 heartbeats In 9 years, In a life time 3,277,200,000 beats. By giving it to God those heart beats save our lives.
2. The lazy person at your Job, always gets praised. Never does their job, yet you are always there, never call in sick, and are treated like crap from your boss.
A: God wants your best, not others best.
Avoid Comparisons: It's natural to feel upset, but focusing too much on others can drain your energy. Shift your mindset toward your growth and goals.
Find Internal Motivation: Remind yourself of why you take pride in your work, whether it's personal satisfaction, skills development, or setting an example.
3. You open a bake shop, and want to bake fun things and are a Follower of Christ. Someone wants to make a cake that is inappropriate
and violates your faith. The city says you have to make it. What do you do?
A: Handle Requests Respectfully: If you're uncomfortable with a specific design, explain your position kindly and professionally. Focus on your values rather than judging the customer.
Example: "Thank you for considering my shop. Unfortunately, this request conflicts with the type of work I create. I’d be happy to recommend another baker who can assist you." Often times in this well known situation people bring believes over Job. The fact is you can't make something like this as you don't know how to. That humbling fact is, to do it means you are doing what you can't. No reason to get all religious. Tell the facts, its not something you know how to do, over wont do.
4. You are driving and change lanes to your left, you didn't use a signal and near sideswiped a car that was speeding past your left.
Guy flies by starts yelling at you. Your instinct is the finger.
A: If you are at fault or not, deescalating things is your job as much as theirs. A easy way is look towards them put two hands together as if to pray and mouth your sorry. You were at fault as much as them and acknowledging this deescalates. Even if you are not wrong let it go. It wont work in all situation. But why make the day worse when you can make it better.
5. You join a Christian Group, and have been a follower of Christ a long time. You start a conversation on a topic and every tells you. You are wrong, but you think you are right?
I was in a Christian Forum site, recently and a main moderator, dictated and corrected everyone in a very passive aggressive way. At first I tried to be flexible. You know, the ones that " I am sorry you feel that way crowd " .
I tried to help and share. But their arrogance kept them from discovering the words together. And that is when you must move away from another destruction regardless of the situation if its beyond fixing.
These are my opinions:)
some examples and solutions
1. In school being bullied or teased is a powerless situation in schools since the beginning of time.
now days resulting is some school shootings.
A: 15,012,800 heartbeats In 9 years, In a life time 3,277,200,000 beats. By giving it to God those heart beats save our lives.
2. The lazy person at your Job, always gets praised. Never does their job, yet you are always there, never call in sick, and are treated like crap from your boss.
A: God wants your best, not others best.
Avoid Comparisons: It's natural to feel upset, but focusing too much on others can drain your energy. Shift your mindset toward your growth and goals.
Find Internal Motivation: Remind yourself of why you take pride in your work, whether it's personal satisfaction, skills development, or setting an example.
3. You open a bake shop, and want to bake fun things and are a Follower of Christ. Someone wants to make a cake that is inappropriate
and violates your faith. The city says you have to make it. What do you do?
A: Handle Requests Respectfully: If you're uncomfortable with a specific design, explain your position kindly and professionally. Focus on your values rather than judging the customer.
Example: "Thank you for considering my shop. Unfortunately, this request conflicts with the type of work I create. I’d be happy to recommend another baker who can assist you." Often times in this well known situation people bring believes over Job. The fact is you can't make something like this as you don't know how to. That humbling fact is, to do it means you are doing what you can't. No reason to get all religious. Tell the facts, its not something you know how to do, over wont do.
4. You are driving and change lanes to your left, you didn't use a signal and near sideswiped a car that was speeding past your left.
Guy flies by starts yelling at you. Your instinct is the finger.
A: If you are at fault or not, deescalating things is your job as much as theirs. A easy way is look towards them put two hands together as if to pray and mouth your sorry. You were at fault as much as them and acknowledging this deescalates. Even if you are not wrong let it go. It wont work in all situation. But why make the day worse when you can make it better.
5. You join a Christian Group, and have been a follower of Christ a long time. You start a conversation on a topic and every tells you. You are wrong, but you think you are right?
- Use the Bible as the Foundation: Return to Scripture to determine whether your stance aligns with God’s Word. Let the Bible, not personal opinions, be the ultimate authority.
- Example: “Let’s look at what Scripture says about this topic together.”
- Avoid Proof-Texting: Ensure you’re interpreting verses in context and considering the broader biblical narrative.
Most disagreements are often due to ones past, sect, and or denomination and how they came to the words.
They may be 100% right to them. And you. And you both can be 100% right. Because that is how you were raised and educated.
I was in a Christian Forum site, recently and a main moderator, dictated and corrected everyone in a very passive aggressive way. At first I tried to be flexible. You know, the ones that " I am sorry you feel that way crowd " .
I tried to help and share. But their arrogance kept them from discovering the words together. And that is when you must move away from another destruction regardless of the situation if its beyond fixing.
These are my opinions:)
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TigersPaw
Member
Yes, lol. I write Lyrics and poetry and stuff. Point, my mind just races and I hold on. The more typos I have LOL. The faster my brain was over my fingers LOL.
Best I can explain is and explosion and stuff comes out like this. But I'm old so there is that old guy wisdom in there too LOL
( well not always :) )
Are you a songwriter?
I'm a lyricist as well. Here's a recent collaboration effort.
50 more tracks here.
[
TigersPaw
Member
Oh cool, I like it. Very nice.
Not a song writer, why I have played guitar off and on most my life.
I used to write with my adopted as and adult sister, who was a songwriter.
But she ended up with arthritis in her hands and that is about the time I also stopped.
I can put words to music fairly easily or try and get a tune to fit. But the writing is what I like.
I used to be able to read music a long time ago.
But life got in the way. So then I turned to writing prose, poetry and Lyrics. Some minor publications.
Never was at the level of serious income except a project I did in Seattle 20 years ago.
Its mostly something I do, because like I said, words get in my head with a tune and they explode LOL.
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
Could you get a tune to fit this TP?
NORMAL OPERATION
With practised smiles and trendy garb
‘fine thank you how are you?’
is heard amongst ‘together folk’
we’re well when we are blue
The water’s tested as we go
to see how we will fare
it’s safe to take the plunge I hear
our judgement frail and bare
In nakedness we interact
with covered eyes and ears
alone we walk amongst our walls
of hate and hurt and fears
The cynic speaks, the charged refrain
just take your angles home
we’re well you know, be positive!
viscerally I groan
Ahhh, flatter me with charming words
the ones I want to hear
transparency does not belong
to them, of that I’m clear.
The song, the song, ten thousand tongues
their mouths they have no lie
the truth, whatever it may be
a compromise means die
So just as steel will sharpen steel
one hand will wash the other
a thirsty, hungry, searching soul
is one I call my brother.
Jesus is speaking about this because of the Eye for a Eye law at the sermon on the mount he changed it from Eye for a Eye to turn the other cheek for Christians.One law he rescinded. As a Christian there is no Eye for an Eye forgiveness is what Jesus wants - you do expect him to forgive you so you must do the same with others.If you want to be forgiven then you must also forgive.
quietthinker
Well-Known Member
and what is more, when we do not forgive others we loose the ability to believe we have been/ are forgiven.
Probably worse than that.
Matthew 6:15 NIV
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
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Here's a collaboration that got a lot of listens. (316 and counting)
I provided lyrics and a guitar solo.
[
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quietthinker
Well-Known Member
It raises the question, does God only forgive if we forgive? I think God forgives before we even realise or ask for forgiveness; Isn't that good news?
I think Jesus meant this by 'he sends his rain and sun on the evil and good alike' He doesn't withdraw kindness because we are not on his side or the side of others.
The matter of forgiveness is more like cause and effect ie, extend kindness to others and you will be able to see/ understand the kindness God extends to you/ all; withhold forgiveness/ kindness and you will live in doubt, fear, insecurity and the inability to trust/ unbelief......and be very 'religious' as a cover.
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