The Apostle’s Advice, Live Peaceably With All!

Opinion

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“When possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” ~ The Apostle Paul’s advice to First Century Christians living in Rome (Romans, 12:18).

My long-time friend and colleague, Mas Ayoob, in a recent article, reminded us that, at least within this current civilization, the vast majority of lethal interactions in which we might find ourselves are probably avoidable when we stay alert, aware, informed, and don’t beg the question.

Mas’ advice is sage, as always!

My small addition:

Anger, like fear, is a natural emotion. With most of us, anger arrives suddenly and unbidden, gradually subsiding after we take a breath.

“Being angry,” or “becoming angry” because of a particular circumstance, is not a crime. If it were, we would all be felons, probably several times per day.

Acting impulsively (and inappropriately) when motivated by anger is a crime. Thus, a big part of “growing up” is learning to control anger-aggravated impulsiveness and act out only what is in our best interest, not what anger exhorts us to do.

This point is critical for those of us who go armed. With deadly force ever at our fingertips, we all need to think critically about the roles anger and fear play in our daily lives.

An immediate, lethal response may well be necessary, appropriate, reasonable, and thus within the law when we are motivated by a legitimate fear of an imminent, unavoidable, deadly threat.

Indeed, that is the rationale behind “going armed.”

In a desperate, threatening circumstance, fear and anger (both perfectly normal and probably inescapable emotions) will probably be mixed together in our minds, at least for a few moments.

However, the “appropriateness” of our actions will always be evaluated based on the degree to which we were genuinely frightened and whether or not our fear was legitimate and well-founded.

In short:

Shooting people because we’re frightened (assuming our fear is licit) is permitted by law.

Shooting people merely because we’re angry is not permitted.

So, as Mas reminded us, deliberately/angrily confronting dangerous people in dangerous places (whether we’re armed or not) is rarely in our best interest.

That’s what we pay police to do.

Accordingly, don’t expect much sympathy from our criminal justice system when you choose to “go to the fight” and a “bad outcome” results.

Conversely, when “the fight comes to you” (through no invitation on your part), a forceful, protective response will likely be judged “reasonable” and thus lawful.

It appears Paul’s advice to the Romans, like Mas’ to the rest of us, is benevolent and taken seriously by the wise!

/John


About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc

As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor, John Farnam will urge you, based on your beliefs, to make up your mind about what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to ensure that its students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.

It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com

John Farnam
John Farnam
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Shotsmith

There’s a lot of wisdom in the Bible, if only people would read it.

If you’re carrying and don’t pray (hope if you’re not religious) that you will never have to use your weapon, you don’t have the right mindset.
If you don’t train for the possibility you might have to use your weapon, you WON’T have the right mindset.

I pray every day for the Lord to guide my words, actions, and bullets if necessary.

musicman44mag

It’s strange but now that I carry I am actually calmer under stressful situations and have a more relaxed demeanor and tone. In the past I would think if they jump I will beat the shit out of them and get fired up and fight so I would argue back. Now, I patiently wait knowing if they get aggressive, I will fight back enough to prevent myself from getting hurt but in the back of my mind I know they will not kill me because if I fear that they will not stop and are going to kill me, I… Read more »

Ledesma

Many of us spent years in the military. If we lacked trigger discipline, it would have showcased itself then.

swmft

the police have been found to only solve crime ,not prevent it so the “that’s what we pay police to do” is not quite accurate. The presumed job is no longer the actual job. Most police will arrive late to not be involved ,but clean up. best example is the city of miami police being called by someone who arrived home to find people ransacking their detached garage called 911 5 minutes no police called 911 again they would get there when they could third call stating they could take their time shot the perps….cops were there in under a… Read more »

Colt

Nearly ALL democrat policies will piss you off and make you angry.
Name one that doesn’t.

Knute Knute

This article cuts right to the heart of life. Responsible citizens of good character have learned to control their emotions(esp. anger) and not to let their emotions control them. Like fire and government, emotions are a good servant but a fearful master. They are powerful, but without direction. Like fire and governments, when they escape their boundaries, destruction is the result. When the fire in your furnace escapes its box, it destroys your house. When government escapes the confines of its checks and balances, it becomes oppressive and tyrannical, and tries to destroy everything that it cannot control(which is most… Read more »