Monday, August 25, 2008

Avoid, Evade, Escape

The Christian Martialist sheepdog prepares himself to protect his flock, whether his church, his family, his neighbors, etc. That protective mindset is a little different from the self-defense mindset.

In terms of personal security, your mindset goals should be: 1) Avoid; 2) Evade; 3) Escape.

Avoid -- You avoid violence by not going where it happens or is likely to happen.

Evade -- You evade violence by removing yourself from potentially violent situations.

Escape -- When violence seeks you out and you cannot avoid or evade, you must neutralize the threat long enough to escape the situation. At this point, your physical self defense techniques come into play.

Note that most self-defense instruction prepares you for the last-chance point in the process. It emphasizes the life raft rather than how to keep the ship safe and intact.

The mindset goals I have outlined, by way of contrast, are the self-defense application of Paul's exhortation, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18)

When you undertake the responsibility for protecting others, the goals do not essentially change. But the emphasis and practical outworking do.

Let's examine that in another post.

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