Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 2/15/2004

Question
I have been interested in in using the martial arts as a tool for ministry to others for a long time.  I believe that The Holy Spirit has put that passion in my heart to be used for his will.  My mother however does not support me in that she thinks anything that has the possibility for risking anyones safty can't possibly be from God.  Can one be Christ-like if one is involved in something like training for No Holds Barred or Boxing competitions?  Please tell me where it talks about such things in scripture.  

Your brother in Christ, Sam

Answer
Hi Sam!


1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Colossians 3:17
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Ephesians 6:1-2

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.


Above are some scriptural things to consider.  The first thing that I can offer is that if you are a child under your mother's roof, then it is irrelevant what I think if she has forbidden you to persue this any further.  However, if she is simply reluctant but you still have a choice, then let me offer these things:

My 15 year old daughter is a Black Belt martial arts instructor and is proficient in Tae Kwon Do, and Sayoc knife fighting.  She does use these skills to teach young kids and model a Christ-like life to them.  Now as far as no holds bared fighting, that may be different.  You need to evaluate the fact that God says that your bopdy is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  How great is your danger?  Are you using protective gear.  I know some underground fighting has no gear and no rules.  If this were my daughter, I would not let her do that.  As far as well regualted fighting with gear...  have at it ( with your mom's blessing) and use it to learn valuable lessons about life.  The Apostle Paul draws many illustrations from Greco-Roman wrestling in prder to show us how to live our CHristian lives.

1 Corinthians 9:18-27
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Ephesians 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.    
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that I have helped.
If you or your mother would like to correspond with me personally, you may reach me at ebc@cleaninter.net

In Christ,
Pastor Don