Why did Jesus tell us to resist not evil in Matthew 5:38-39? He told us to resist not evil because he is telling us that there is only one power, God.
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?” (Lamentations 3:38)
“When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?” (Amos 3:6)
“I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I the LORD do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7)
“You heard that it was said: an eye for eye, and tooth for tooth; but I say to you, do not resist the evil, but whoever shall slap thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
Well then if there is only one power in the universe, God, why does James 4:7 tell us to resist the devil? May be he didn't. Perhaps the English translations do not do justice in their translations of James 4:7 from the original Greek. I am no expert, but I found that it could be translated differently.
The Greek word Antisthte can be translated as oppose; the Greek word diabolos can be translated as slander against God; the Greek word PhEUXETAI can be translated as it shall flee. So then James 4:7 can be stated as “submit yourselves therefore to God, oppose the slander against God and it shall flee.”
Carnal man has allowed himself to experience evil through his own soul sleep and through his own forgetfulness of God. Soul sleep is our belief in the things that our five senses can experience rather than relying on God. We have forgotten that God placed the Kingdom of God within us. Jesus Christ came to show us how to find it again.
Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Translations are imperfect. People who do translations are imperfect. However, we have so many tools available to us today on the Internet to do research, we can compare and contrast and form our own opinions. We don't need to rely on people. We can go unto the Father in quietness and confidence and we can also research and read.
Resistance against God is hell because it puts us in a state of torment. Submitting to God is heaven on earth which gives us joy and peace. Jesus came to give us life and give it to us abundantly. Evil is real to those of us who have not fully submitted to God through Jesus Christ. Our Father gave us free will, and we can choose not to submit if we want. We can choose evil that carnal man has created for us in this world through resisting God, or we can choose heaven on earth by accepting the body, mind and spirit of Jesus Christ into our body, mind and spirit. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
Our goal should be to practice nonresistance perfectly, renewing our mind to keep it line with Christ's mind by practicing the presence of God, and submitting to the Father completely moment by moment. (Romans 12:1-2) If we practice keeping our mind established in right thinking we will see results from our experiments. We can build up our right thinking muscles. Jesus said that we will do the things that he did and even greater things in his name and by his power. (John 14:12)
Why not experiment with sowing and reaping with thoughts in line with Christ's mind? We have everything to gain and nothing to lose by renewing our minds. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7) Don't be deceived into believing that we are not responsible for our thoughts. We mock God with our fearful, evil thoughts. Why not sow mind seeds of good will to all people? Why not sow seeds of faith rather than seeds of fear? Why not go into our mental and physical battles as King Jehoshaphat did? He sowed seeds of faith going into battle. He knew it was God's battle. Why don't we dig our ditches if we really expect it to rain? (2 Kings 3:16-20) Why don't we find all the jars we can and let them be filled with the oil of faith in preparation of God fighting our battle for us? (2 Kings 4:3-6 and 2 Chronicles 14:11) Resist not evil and practice nonresistance in active faith. We have free will and we can choose active faith.
Check out Bible passages on Bible Gateway. I have been using Bible Gateway for about seven years. Here is the link:http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/
Here is a link to James 4:7 in a Greek Lexicon online:http://www.qbible.com/greek-new-testament/james/4.html
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