NEWTON'S Third Law of Motion ...

[Yesua888]

Hi Team,
Today I received the below (sent to my email), and have decided to share it with you:

Action and Reaction

Introduction. Newton's Third Law of Motion says every action has an equal and opposite reaction. This is a fixed axiom in physics, and has led to a better understanding of God’s creation. Since sin entered the world, it has also become an axiom for the emotional responses to the actions of others.

This emotional axiom leads to an escalation of conflict. Friendships that take years to develop can be destroyed in a few moments when an action meets with an equal and opposite reaction. When an outburst of anger in one person meets with an equal and opposite reaction in another it often escalates first to angry words and the often to evil deeds. Jesus summed up this worldly axiom when He said: “You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” In judicial proceedings where all facts are taken into consideration with guilt and innocence established by evidence, this is the fair and equitable way to justly mete out punishment to the guilty. In other words, the punishment must fit the crime. But when it becomes an axiom of how to treat one another in daily life (i.e., “Do unto others as they have done to you.”), it is harmful and leads to great sorrow and often ruin the brightest links of life.

When we allow the rude and sinful actions of others to bring an equal and opposite sinful action within ourselves, we feel justified. Fairness has been restored and all is well again. Although it is so common in this age that it seems normal and even just, it is wrong and must be changed. Those who take a tooth when another takes their tooth or an eye when their eye is taken actually live by the law of the jungle in this age. If they hit you, you hit them. If they insult you, you insult them. If they cheat you, you cheat them. If they become your enemy and hate you, you become their enemy and hate them also. Many are so convinced of this truth that a desire for vengeance and revenge is the equal and opposite reaction. Until this equal and opposite reaction is complete, there is a debt owed and sooner or later it must be repaid.

While Jesus admits that this is an accepted axiom of this age, it can have no part in the behavior of His disciples. Instead of living in a world where actions are controlled by the treatment of others, it is God’s will that we live above the actions of others and respond not with reactions to their action, but with the motives of love, mercy and kindness given by Jesus. If we want to be children of God, we must change our axiom or philosophy by which we live.

• "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; (Mt. 5:43-45)

Mosaid Law - Old Testament
The Old Testament law is primarily called the Mosaic Law or the Law of Moses. In Jewish tradition and Hebrew scripture, it is referred to as the Torah, which translates to "instruction" or "teaching" rather than just law. This term specifically denotes the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), also known as the Pentateuch.

The phrase "an eye for an eye" appears in Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21 as part of the Mosaic Law, and is quoted by Jesus in Matthew 5:38.

Original Context (Old Testament)

• Legal Principle: The phrase defines Lex Talionis (the law of retaliation), establishing that punishment must strictly match the injury (e.g., life for life, tooth for tooth).
• Purpose: It was designed to limit vengeance and ensure proportionate justice, preventing excessive retaliation (such as killing someone for knocking out a tooth).
• Application: Jewish tradition and scholars generally agree this was not applied literally to physically maim offenders. Instead, courts assessed the monetary value of the injury (including damages, pain, and medical costs) and ordered financial compensation.

Jesus’ Teaching (New Testament)

• In Matthew 5:38–42, Jesus acknowledges the old law but supersedes it for personal conduct.
• He instructs followers not to seek personal revenge, teaching them to "turn the other cheek" and show grace rather than demanding equal retribution for personal slights.
• This distinction separates the government’s role in administering just punishment from the individual’s responsibility to forgive and love enemies.

Where is Humanity heading?
Should we be applying one man's voice: Newton's Third Law of Motion?
Even in our "thoughts" we question whether we should be retaliating "to teach them what it feels like, or to get their attention" and "being loving and kind just leads to more abuse" ...
"They do not understand when we do not 'hit back'", so "we need to take a 'tooth for tooth' or 'eye for eye'", so that they may learn a lesson ...
We often wonder why there are so many people doing this, and getting away with it in court?
...

 

[David]

Action and Reaction

Introduction. Newton's Third Law of Motion says every action has an equal and opposite reaction. This is a fixed axiom in physics, and has led to a better understanding of God’s creation. Since sin entered the world, it has also become an axiom for the emotional responses to the actions of others.

Good post overall. I agree with the main point. Christians should not live by revenge. The Bible says, “Avenge not yourselves” ~Romans 12:19. Jesus also said to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us ~Matthew 5:44.

I would only clarify one thing. Jesus was not saying God’s Old Testament Law was wrong. He said, “I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” ~Matthew 5:17. The problem was that people were taking a law meant for fair justice and using it as an excuse for personal payback.

So the simple point is this: lawful justice has its place, but personal revenge does not. A Christian should not repay evil with evil. We are called to overcome evil with good ~Romans 12:21.

 

[David]

Where is Humanity heading?

Good questions! People are headed exactly where they always go when they shove God out and elevate self to God’s throne. When man suppresses God’s truth in unrighteousness his foolish heart becomes darkened, and he is vain in his imaginations. ~Romans 1: 21 God gives him over to a reprobate mind, his conscience can become seared as with a hot iron, and evil multiplies in our society until what is wrong becomes normal. ~Romans 1:28, 1 Timothy 4:2. "As also in those days", Paul continues, evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ~2 Timothy 3:13.

That’s why Scripture says, “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” ~2 Timothy 3:13. Essentially, when humans walk away from the light we shouldn’t be surprised when they trip into darkness.

But here’s the difference for the believer. We don’t meet darkness with darkness. We don’t combat evil by mimicking evil. Jesus didn’t call us to be thermometers that just reflect the temperature of the culture. He called us to be lights that transform the room. “Ye are the light of the world” ~Matthew 5:14.

Where is humanity headed? Without Christ they are heading for judgment. But thanks be to God the church (Body of believers, not a meeting place) is still here to point folks to the only Savior. Revenge is not the answer. Payback is not the answer. Christ, repentance and the gospel is the answer. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” ~Romans 12:21.

 

[David]

Should we be applying one man's voice: Newton's Third Law of Motion?

No. Newton’ second law may be a law of physics, but it is not how Christians are to conduct themselves.

Christians do not respond to every slight, cruel word, or wrongdoing with an equal reaction. That is the flesh speaking. The world thinks, “You hurt me, so I will hurt you.” Christ says, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.” ~Matthew 5:44.

However, that is not to say that we sit idly by and allow evil to thrive. The Bible tells us to stand up for what is right. Jude instructs us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” ~Jude 1:3. Paul told Timothy that he was to “preach the word” and to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” ~2 Timothy 4:2. If someone is twisting God’ Word, remaining silent is no longer an option because that is not being faithful.

Nor does this mean that we should stand by and let someone harm our families or other innocent people. God tells us that “if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith.” ~1 Timothy 5:8. To provide for someone includes caring for, being responsible for, and protecting them. There is a difference between stopping someone from causing harm and then seeking revenge after they’ve done harm.

There is a line there and Scripture is clear about it. Defense is never vengeance. Standing up for what is true is not hateful. Protecting those who cannot protect themselves is not getting even. Seeking revenge and getting even is sin. Paul told us, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.” ~Romans 12:19

When it comes to dealing with people, no Christians do not live by Newton’s laws. We live by the command of Christ. We stand up for what is right, we protect what God has given us, and we refuse to seek revenge against others. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” ~Romans 12:21.

 

[David]

We often wonder why there are so many people doing this, and getting away with it in court?

I watch Court TV often, and I see this happen often. Very frustrating.

Sometimes innocent people are put in jail, lawyers can perjure themselves and get away with it, and even judges can make mistakes. Man’s court can miss what God’s court never misses.

You can lie here on earth, destroy evidence, pay off witnesses, hire the best lawyer money can buy and walk out of that courtroom like you never did anything wrong. Ever watch a criminal trial on TV where the guilty walk and the innocent cry? It’s frustrating but remember Scripture said this world would be twisted because sin has twisted it.

“For when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” ~Proverbs 29:2.

It’s true. When evil rules, justice grows weak, lies are protected and covered up, and people begin to question if anyone is really watching. But Someone is watching…

Jesus sees. No sin goes unnoticed before the Lord. They may fool man’s court, but they will not fool the Judge of the whole earth. “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." ~ Ecclesiastes 12:14

When evil wins in our world, don’t think God has taken His eyes off the case. He has not lost the evidence. He did not forget about the victim. God sees what happened in the dark. He hears what was whispered in secret and what was done behind closed doors to cover it up in public.

That is why we don’t have to become vigilantes. As Christians we stand for truth, we defend the innocent, we use every lawful means, and we refuse to take personal revenge. “Beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give room unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” ~Romans 12:19

Man’s court will fail, but God’s court will not. The day of judgment is coming and when God schedules their case, no one will be able to talk their way out of Hell.