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Conflict?

Written by James A.K.A Agent Smelly Feet
Proofread by Sara A.K.A Ninja Sis
Prayer by Sara.


Lord, take all glory. It all belong to you.

(VERY IMPORTANT CAUTION! I’ll be saying “Truly” a lot during this sermon, so anyone with a heart condition who can’t stand the sight of the word truly should consult a doctor first before reading this sermon )

JAMES BOND, BABY! Who doesn’t love those movies? I swear those who don’t like James Bond are SQUARES. That’s right, not deformed octagons like us James Bond lovers, but squares…or possibly kites. I just got home from seeing Casino Royale for the second time. I tell you, that movie was just as intense the second time as it was the first time. I jumped every freaking time something loud happened…and since it’s a 007 movie, I jumped pretty much every…. 3.4 seconds…. divided by 4. Casino Royale is definitely action at it’s greatest. However, it’s also humanity at its very worst. It’s VERY worst. Terrorism, murder, torture, premarital sex, and all sorts of sinful stuff are happening every second in that movie. People getting into massive gunfights, people duking it out in impossible hand to hand combat are the theme of the movie. Sure, that makes for a great action film. But it also makes one realize, at least, it makes ME realize, the horrors of this world. It would be a lie to say we humans are the most peaceful creatures. Surely, some of us are (JESUS! But He was also 100% The LORD, so of course He was peaceful), but surely, some of us really aren’t. Some people say they are peaceful, but truly, God knows their hearts, and inside their hearts are filled with deceit. That goes for non-Christians and Christians (Well, more like people who claim to be Christian but instead of follow God, they follow Satan by murdering and hating others instead of loving) alike. I’d be lying if I said that I never had a violent urge or two towards those who have hurt me in my lifetime. Truly, that is not a peaceful attitude, but it is truth. The World is not truly peaceful, and it won’t ever be again until the end of times when Jesus returns.

So, why bring all that up? We all know of the wars and genocides and constant sinfulness of the World, for that is why Jesus came in the first place. We all know that these things must happen before Jesus returns, so why, you may be asking, am I talking about this? Because we must be prepared. Truly, we must be prepared.

Now, the above paragraphs may seem like we must prepare for war, and that just because the World isn’t peaceful that we mustn’t be peaceful. Heck no! That’s not at all what I’m saying here. Jesus, whom is GOD incarnate, said that we must love all people, forgive all people, and be peaceful, for He is the Prince of Peace. He wants us to live peaceful, non-hateful lives and live our lives for The Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit, and for all people. I say that all the time in sermons, I know, but that’s SO key. We must love and show compassion and be gentle and have peaceful hearts, and this peace and love must be directed towards ALL people. Why? Because God has commanded it, through His Word, Jesus Christ. That’s why.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the point of the sermon. What must we be prepared for? I’m not talking about Satan this time, but those who wish to harm others, like murderers and rapists and terrorists. While watching Casino Royale, this all kinda came to me. It’s a little confusing what God tells us to be like. One verse in Matthew talks about Jesus telling His Apostles to prepare by getting swords, which they do. Then another verse in Matthew tells us that Jesus said, “Who ever lives by the Sword, dies by the Sword.” Jesus, who is God, tells us to be loving and turn the other cheek, but in the Old Testament, God had Israelites fights invading forces in epic battles. What does God want? Does He wants us to be peaceful, or to be fighters? I prayed to God about it, and I asked Him to write through me here. So, I really hope God does so, because if I mess this up and not listen to Him, I’ll be responsible for possibly leading somebody the wrong way.

God will never change, and has never changed. Ever. He is the same today, tomorrow, and the days before we were made. He is exactly the same. God is loving. God is LOVE itself. He is merciful, compassionate, warm, awesome, forgiving, and very caring and the grandest scale. He is caring towards all people, no matter who, and He loves all people. Truly, He loves us so much that He gave us a choice, to love Him, or not to love Him. Those who decide not to love God are left. Not because He’s stopped loving them, but because they have told Him to leave them alone. He does so. However, God is quick to come back to those He left if they call out for Him again. He will never leave us or forsake us, all those who call for Him. Those who don’t call for Him He doesn’t hate or wish death to, and truly, He will protect them to what degree they allow God to protect them. He loves us all, all over the World, no matter what. That is why He put Himself into a body and came to earth and died for our sins. All of us. He loves us so much that’s He’d save us. But God is also a just God. God is not a pansy (Joshua 22:18 (New American Standard Bible)
18that you must turn away this day from following the LORD? If you rebel against the LORD today, He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel tomorrow.). He will not look past the evils people do. A murderer murders someone, God sees it, and God will do what He feels is right. Maybe that person will be put in prison, or maybe that person will be in a car accident, who knows, it’s up to God. Surely, if that murderer were to realize the horror he just committed, and came to God/Jesus, TRULY sorry for what he has done and turns away from it, asking Jesus to forgive him, God WILL forgive him. But the consequences probably won’t change. That man will more than likely face punishment. We do not live under the mosaic law anymore, so I don’t mean stoning him to death or something, but something more along the lines of prison time. God is not a pansy. Jesus didn’t overlook the Pharisees hypercritical attitude; He would call them out every time they did something against God. God is not a pansy. Jesus overturned the tables criminals and dealers used to sell stolen goods at the temple, and then threw those dealers and criminals out. Truly, Jesus loves them, and truly, Jesus forgave them if they came back asking for it, but God still did what was right. Going back to the Old Testament times with Joshua, God helped the Israelites defeat their enemies in war. It must have been brutal fighting, and the enemy forces were killed. Truly, God loved those people, and truly, He didn’t wish for them to die. But they insisted on invading and trying to murder His people. This is only a small portion of what is written in the Bible about God being just.

God is love, but also just, in other words. He is not a pansy, and He is not hateful.

So, what does this all have to do with anything? What do we need to prepare for? Satan and his demons, of course, above all, but we also need to be able to protect others should danger like a murderer or something come up. And we need to do this the way God/Jesus would want us to.

What is the way God wants us to do this? I know, this is confusing, but as I said, hopefully I have prayed well enough that God will say it through me now, instead of me giving my own unimportant opinion. Let’s go over this, verse by verse.

Matthew 5:38-42 (New American Standard Bible)
38"You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.'

39"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.

40"If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.

41"Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

42"Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Turn the other cheek. I was very, very confused to what that means when I first went through the Gospel. So, we must not defend ourselves, and let others beat us? In a sense, yes, that is what that is saying. There will be times when somebody wants to kick somebody around a little, like a bully or something picking on his victims, and as Christians, we’d be expected by Jesus to take the beating, not fighting back at all. Why? Because what does that solve or prove when we get into a fistfight? God HATES to watch His children fight each other, He never intended for us to have to go through all this sinfulness, and when Satan got Adam and Eve to eat that apple, He was so heart broken and angry He cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. God did allow Adam and Eve the choice to eat that apple, because He gave them the free will to, and that’s why I’m guessing God even allowed the Devil into the Garden to tempt them. Truly, God hates to see us hate each other so much. Personally, I LOVE that about God. He doesn’t want us fighting each other, or hating one another, He wants us to love each other and take care of each other. That is why when in a violent situation where is not at all fatal or serious, turn the other cheek. God will heal you, and He will mend you, and give you a killer pat on the back for doing as He says. He loves us. All of us. No exceptions.

Also, looking back at Civil Rights history here in America, when people did non-violent protests and stuff like that, sometimes they were attacked by people who didn’t want Civil Rights to happen. They were beaten and they were hosed by fire hydrates, but they didn’t fight back. They turned the other cheek, and nobody was killed, thank goodness, during those protests. Look what happened. Civil Rights have been granted to all people, and it was done without massive outbreaks of violence. Truly, Jesus knows what’s best, being God and all, and He lets us know when we should turn the other cheek. The cheek is mightier than the sword, so to speak. Yup, that was corny.

Now, let’s talk about wrath for a second. Wrath is for God alone. Not for humans. When somebody hits us, and then we get all angry and hit them back in revenge, we have sinned. That is another reason to turn the other cheek. God hates it when we do His job for Him, and you know what? When Jesus died on the cross, the wrath of God had already been fulfilled until Judgment Day comes around. Let’s not do what God said was His alone.

Joshua 2:8-13 (New American Standard Bible)
8Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof,

9and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.

10"For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.

11"When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

12"Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth,

13and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our [a]lives from death."


However, God also knows that there will be times when we face a life or death situation, or a situation where somebody could get seriously hurt. With our free will, we can do some of the most hurtful things imaginable. People kill one another, people beat one another, and people do unspeakable things to each other. God is not a pansy. God will sometimes call us to defend one another from certain death. Going back to James Bond, in Casino Royale, there were times where armed gunmen who wanted to murder thousands of innocent people were attacking James Bond and his lover. In that situation, that extreme situation, he had no choice but to fight back. Of course, James Bond killed these people, because it’s a 007 movie, however, luckily that’s very rarely ever the case for us. What I just brought up was a very extreme example, I know, but I hope I illustrated a point. In Luke 22:36-38 (Luke 22:36-38 (New American Standard Bible)
36And He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.
37"For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, 'AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS'; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment."
38They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."), Jesus told his followers to prepare by getting swords. Now, what exactly did Jesus want with these swords? To go kill people? To go murder the Pharisees that wanted to kill him? Certainly not. But he wanted to be prepared in case there was a situation where He and His followers were going to die if they didn’t fight. Jesus had to die on the cross, and He had to take on our punishment for sin, redeeming mankind forever in God’s eyes. But, the people who wanted Jesus to die weren’t going to wait for that. When they came to try and kill Jesus, or His followers, before it was destined, they needed to be able to fend off an attack using swords. Truly, Jesus never had His followers kill anybody, and truly, Jesus never didn’t forgive those people, but He needed protection, and when the going got tough, His followers used swords to fend off attacks. Back in the Old Testament’s Joshua, God was using the people of Israel to fight other countries that were invading. That entire book is about war. God is not a pansy. People who wanted the Hebrews dead and wanted to take over the Holy Land faced Israel with certain doom. In that situation, it was either fight or die. God knew that. Once again, God gave us all free will, and these invading people were excising it to go mass murder thousands of Hebrews. The only option was to fight. God chose to be with the Israelites, because they trusted Him. They praised God and worshiped Him all throughout that war. God delivered them. God is our strength (Joshua 14:10-12 (New American Standard Bible)
10"Now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today.
11"I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.
12"Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken." ) Truly, God helps those who trust Him, and helps those who don’t trust Him to whatever degree they let Him help them. Israel praised and worshiped God throughout that war, and God made sure they won. Surely, many people were killed, but that had to be done.

There are times when people have to fight, or they and many others die. Just because they fight doesn’t mean they kill anyone. Maybe there’s a time where in order to stop somebody from killing others, he has to be killed, but thank God that’s rarely the case. I was thinking it over and thinking it over, and only the extreme situations are when we must fight back (again, I’m not saying kill, but fight). Very recently I had a nightmare that really rattled me for a few days, but when I woke from it, I knew God was talking to me about something. I didn’t figure out what until I watched Casino Royale the second time. In my dream, I was outside my house at night. Across from my house is a High School. My house’s location allows a clear view into the massive parking lot. So, while outside, I heard this woman’s cry of terror. I was a little afraid at that point. I didn’t hear another scream right away, so I went along doing whatever the heck I was doing. Then I hear the scream again, closer this time, and the roar of a car’s engine. By that point, I was growing more afraid. I stopped doing what I was doing and just stood there. That’s when I heard the scream again; much closer and a lot more frantic, with the growing roar of a car’s engine, and the excited and sadistic howls and laughs of some unidentified men. I didn’t know what to do in my dream, so I just stood there. That was until a car came into view and pulled into the parking lot. As it did so, I could see into the windows, and there were three men, must have been gang members the way they were dressed, pulling the hair of a woman begging for mercy. When the car stopped in the parking lot, the men got out of the car, pulled the woman out by her hair, and preceded to strip her of her clothes, all while she screamed for mercy. That’s when they started raping her, in all ways possible. My God, I was petrified with fear at that point. I didn’t know what to do. I’m only one man, I couldn’t go over there and make them stop, but I knew I had to do something. That’s when a voice in my head told me to act, and act NOW. I ran inside my house and called the police. That’s when I woke up. I was breathing hard and I was very frightened, but a calming presence told me to cool it. Surely, God had been with me in my dream. I knew that. I couldn’t figure out why I had that dream until very recently as mentioned before, but now I know why I had that dream. God was telling me that there would be times when we have to act in order to save someone else. That may mean physically stopping the victimizers. Of course, in my dream I didn’t stop them myself, but the police did when they arrived, and they had to do it by force. That’s why Jesus told his followers to get those swords. That’s why God was with Israel when it was being invaded in Joshua. God is our strength, and He needed us to have strength to protect people from those who wish to harm others. Now, again, that DOESN’T mean killing them. But that does mean fighting them when necessary.

Matthew 26:52 (New American Standard Bible)
52Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

In this verse, Jesus said whoever lives by the sword dies by it. What does that mean? Surely, that doesn’t mean if somebody ever wielded a sword that somebody else is going to sneak up behind him or her and stab him or her in the back when not looking. From what I can gather, it means that whoever lives for trouble, or whoever lives to fight others, or go to war, will surely die that very same way. I’m sure I told all you guys this already, but I’m a big history buff. God has given me a very strong desire to study history. All throughout history, there have been people who lived by the sword. The Romans had a very big army, and so they used that army to go conquer other people’s lands, including Israel. The Macedonians before them were like that as well; they had a strong empire that they used to attack other people, solely for the heck of it. Before that, there were the Greeks who did the very same thing. Before that there were the Babylonians and Egyptians and Persians and all sorts of people who lived to conquer. Back in Moses' time, while the Hebrews were wandering the desert, there were countries that were very militaristic that God said to attack. Why is this? It was because these people lived to kill others and conquer. Fast-forwarding a thousand or so years, when the Muslims took over Jerusalem, Christians decided to go kill them and take it back. They were merciless and genocidal. I think God let the Muslims take over Jerusalem so that He could test us. True, the Muslim religion is incorrect, but God still loves them, and even though they don’t follow Jesus, He still loved them with all His soul. When the Christians of that time murdered them after they took Jerusalem back, God/Jesus was sad and angry at their apparent sinfulness. He let the Muslims take Jerusalem again. I could go on about this, but that might take a while.

So, what’s the point? What did all these people have in common? They all lived to conquer and kill, and in the end, they all fell. When people live to kill and fight, they die fighting. It’s basically the law God provided for people who chose to war things out. Jesus said that was true, and guess what, it totally is true. Not a SINGLE empire that lived for war survived. They all fell by the sword.

What does this all mean? What does it mean to turn the other cheek, or to prepare for times when you have to act? It means that we should live our lives for love and peace, as Jesus said, but the World is not peaceful, and when it’s absolutely necessary to fight, do so, because if you don’t then people will surely die, and those who live to fight, will die fighting.

Ok, I think I’m done here. I’ll end off by saying Jesus loves you SO MUCH He died for you. Don’t forget that.


Lord, we come to you today to ask that you guide us. We ask that you please watch over us and deliver us from evil. We ask that when evil comes looking for us, that you give us the strength and courage to do what you asked us, to turn the other cheek. Please strengthen our bodies that we stand firm, and strengthen our hearts that we love and forgive our enemies. Please forgive us if we falter and seek wrath for ourselves, and please be with those who may seek to harm us, that they find fault in their actions and seek you, as we seek you now. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Praise God! Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus. I never really understood what it meant to turn the other cheek until today. . . I have a feeling that I'll have to apply what I've learned to some situation. . . someday. . .

This year is the Lord's year: 2007!!! mrgreen The number of perfection is 7!!! The LORD WILL BLESS!!! May His blessings be upon you, Jamie!!!