Defining fighting
“Fighting is a natural part of life. It’s essential to our survival. When we fight, we’re trying to improve our chances of survival. We’re trying to protect ourselves, or we’re trying to improve our circumstances.”
Different types of fighting
There are many different types of fighting, each with its own purposes and techniques. Here is a brief overview of some of the most common types of fighting:
1) Striking – Striking is a type of fighting that relies on using fists, feet, or other body parts to hit an opponent. It is often used in self-defense situations or in sports such as boxing, kickboxing, and karate.
2) Grappling – Grappling is a type of fighting that involves grabbing an opponent and trying to control them through techniques such as takedowns, throws, and submissions. It is often used in self-defense situations or in sports such as wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and judo.
3) Weapon-based – Weapon-based fighting involves the use of weapons such as knives, swords, or spears. It is often used in self-defense situations or in sports such as fencing and kendo.
4) martial arts – Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of combat that are practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense, competition, physical fitness, mental and spiritual development.
What Jesus says about fighting
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). This verse is often cited as Jesus’ teaching against violence and war. However, some Christians believe that there are some situations in which violence may be justified. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about fighting.
New Testament
The New Testament contains several references to warfare, both spiritual and physical. Jesus Himself speaks of spiritual warfare in Matthew 10:34-39, where He says that He has not come to bring peace but division. In Luke 22:36, He tells His disciples to sell their cloaks and buy swords, and in Revelation 19:11-16 He is described as leading the armies of Heaven in battle against the forces of evil.
In addition to these direct references, there are numerous stories and examples of physical warfare in the New Testament. In Acts 7:54-60, Stephen is stoned to death by an angry mob; in Acts 12:1-2, Herod Agrippa I kills James with the sword; and in Revelation 13:7-10, the Beast from the sea makes war against those who do not worship him.
While some might interpret these passages as advocating violence, it is important to remember that Jesus Himself was a victim of violence (Luke 23:33) and that He taught His followers to love their enemies (Luke 6:27-28). In the end, it is important to let God be our judge and our defense, trusting Him to fight our battles for us (Exodus 14:14).
Old Testament
The Old Testament teaches us that God is a God of justice and that we are to fight for justice. We see this in the book of Isaiah, where God says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:17). This passage is echoed in James 2:12-17, where James says that faith without works is dead. We are called to put our faith into action by fighting for justice.
There are many ways to fight for justice, but one way we can do this is by speaking out against injustice when we see it. When we see someone being treated unjustly, we can stand up for them and speak out against the injustice. This can be difficult, but it is important work.
Another way we can fight for justice is by working to change systems that perpetuate injustice. We can Advocate for change within our government, businesses, and institutions. We can support organizations that are working to bring about change. And we can educate ourselves and others about the issues so that more people are aware of the need for change.
Fighting for justice takes many forms, but it is essential work if we want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
How to apply Jesus’ teachings on fighting to our lives
In our personal lives
When faced with conflict in our personal lives, Jesus teaches us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. We are also called to turn the other cheek and love our enemies. These principles can be difficult to apply, but they are based on Jesus’ own experience of being betrayed, arrested, and killed. If we want to follow Jesus’ example, we must be willing to take up our cross and follow him.
In the world
In today’s society, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the the day-to-day struggles and forget about the bigger picture. We can often find ourselves in conflict with others, whether it’s at work, school, or even at home. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important when we’re in the midst of a disagreement. But Jesus offers a different perspective on fighting.
Jesus teaches us that our conflict is not with others, but with the evil forces that seek to destroy us. In Matthew 10:34-39, Jesus tell his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” He goes on to say that we will be persecuted because of him, but warns us not to worry about what we will say or how we will defend ourselves.
This passage can be difficult to understand, but it’s important to remember that Jesus is speaking about our spiritual battle, not our physical one. When we are in conflict with others, we should always keep in mind that our ultimate enemy is Satan and his evil forces. We should strive for peace with others, but be prepared for battle against those who seek to destroy us.