Aggression, in the context of biblical teachings, refers to hostile or violent behavior or attitudes toward another; a readiness to attack or confront. The Bible addresses the concept of aggression in various forms, often highlighting its destructive nature and the importance of self-control, peace, and love.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of aggression, often illustrating the consequences of such behavior. In Genesis 4:8, the first act of aggression is recorded when Cain, driven by jealousy and anger, attacks and kills his brother Abel: "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." This act of aggression leads to severe consequences for Cain, demonstrating the destructive nature of unchecked anger and violence.

The Proverbs offer wisdom on the dangers of aggression and the value of self-control. Proverbs 15:18 states, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms a dispute." This verse highlights the contrast between aggressive behavior and the peace that comes from patience and restraint.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies and teaches a life of peace and non-aggression. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers to turn the other cheek rather than retaliate: "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39). This teaching emphasizes the importance of responding to aggression with love and forgiveness rather than violence.

The Apostle Paul also addresses aggression in his epistles, urging believers to live in peace and harmony. In Romans 12:18-19, Paul writes, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" Here, Paul encourages Christians to avoid aggressive retaliation and trust in God's justice.

Spiritual Warfare

The Bible also speaks of aggression in the context of spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers that their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage calls Christians to recognize the true nature of their battles and to arm themselves with spiritual armor, including the "shield of faith" and the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:16-17), to stand firm against spiritual aggression.

Christian Conduct

The Bible consistently calls Christians to a higher standard of conduct, one that rejects aggression and embraces peace, love, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes peace and gentleness, as characteristics that should define a believer's life: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

In summary, the Bible presents aggression as a destructive force that is contrary to the teachings of Christ. Believers are called to respond to aggression with love, patience, and trust in God's justice, embodying the peace and gentleness that are the hallmarks of a Spirit-filled life.Matthew 26:52
Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath on him that does evil.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Topicalbible.org

(n.) Unprovoked attack or act of hostility; the first act of injury, or first act leading to a war or a controversy; first attack; assault; as, a war of aggression. Aggressions of power.4124. pleonexia -- advantage, covetousness
... pleonexia Phonetic Spelling: (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah) Short Definition: covetousness,
avarice Definition: covetousness, avarice, aggression, desire for advantage. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4124.htm - 7k

Whether the Parts of Fortitude are Suitably Assigned?
... As stated above ([3338]Q[123], AA[3],6), the act of fortitude is twofold, aggression
and endurance. Now two things are required for the act of aggression. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of fortitude.htm

Whether Endurance is the Chief Act of Fortitude?
... Reply to Objection 1: Endurance is more difficult than aggression, for
three reasons. First, because endurance seemingly implies ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether endurance is the chief.htm

Whether Sedition is a Special Sin Distinct from Other Sins?
... First, because war and strife denote actual aggression on either side, whereas sedition
may be said to denote either actual aggression, or the preparation for ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sedition is a special.htm

Whether the Brave Man Makes Use of Anger in his Action?
... Reply to Objection 3: Whereas fortitude, as stated above [3297](A[6]), has two acts,
namely endurance and aggression, it employs anger, not for the act of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the brave man makes.htm

Enthusiasm.
... been in the past. We have been on the defensive long enough; the time has
come for us to enter on a war of aggression. When we as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/to the work to the work/chapter v enthusiasm.htm

The Church of the Middle Ages
... Leo the Great, and the first "papal aggression."] In order to do this effectually,
it will be necessary to go back a little farther than the date at the head ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter x the church of.htm

The Roman Empire at the Time of the Birth of Christ. Upwards of a ...
... their domestic feuds were repressed by the presence of their powerful rulers, and
the imperial armies were at hand to protect them against foreign aggression. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the roman empire.htm

Whom Moses Saw.
... the Father. This statement it was that swung the leaders over from silent
contempt to aggression in their treatment of Him. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/whom moses saw.htm

Some of God's Failures.
... He planned a great kingdom to overspread the earth in its rule and blessed
influence, but not by the aggression of war and oppression. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/some of gods failures.htm

Letter vi. To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica.
... they run in accordance with our wishes, and correct, by applying the remedies of
compulsion, what we observe gone wrong through any aggression: hoping that ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter vi to anastasius bishop.htm

Aggression (1 Occurrence)
... Unprovoked attack or act of hostility; the first act of injury, or first act leading
to a war or a controversy; first attack; assault; as, a war of aggression. ...
/a/aggression.htm - 6k

Aggressive (2 Occurrences)
... (a.) Tending or disposed to aggress; characterized by aggression; making assaults;
unjustly attacking; as, an aggressive policy, war, person, nation. ...
/a/aggressive.htm - 7k

Aggravated (1 Occurrence)

/a/aggravated.htm - 6k

Aggressor (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The person who first attacks or makes an aggression;
he who begins hostility or a quarrel; an assailant. ...
/a/aggressor.htm - 7k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... (7) Imperial Interests. Lastly, the aggression and conquests of the republic
had brought about a state of affairs demanding an empire. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Hazael (23 Occurrences)
... The relief that came to Israel was due to the crippling of the power of Syria
by the aggression of Assyria upon the lands of the West. ...
/h/hazael.htm - 23k

Roman (26 Occurrences)
... (7) Imperial Interests. Lastly, the aggression and conquests of the republic
had brought about a state of affairs demanding an empire. ...
/r/roman.htm - 101k

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)
... Nor was his fortification of Jerusalem after his return less necessary against domestic
than foreign aggression; the more so, indeed, as in so long and ...
/m/manasseh.htm - 68k

Christianity
... (7) Imperial Interests. Lastly, the aggression and conquests of the republic
had brought about a state of affairs demanding an empire. ...
/c/christianity.htm - 101k

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