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Question 5

In the toddler illustration (“grabs… screaming… hitting and biting”), Bercot argues non-resistance is not natural but must be learned—what does that reveal about the fallenness Jesus assumes in his disciples, and where do you see your own “toddler-level” instincts most active (family, work, online, politics)?

Another way to ask: Bercot compares our natural reactions to a toddler who grabs and hits, saying non-resistance has to be learned. What does that show about the sinful instincts Jesus expects in his followers, and where do you see those “toddler” reactions most in yourself (home, work, online, politics)?

Direct Answer Bercot’s toddler illustration suggests Jesus assumes our default, fallen instincts are possessive and combative, so non-resistance must be learned against “the flesh”; our most “toddler-level” moments show up wherever we feel threatened, insulted, or deprived.

Support from Transcript:

He states plainly: “non-resistance absolutely goes against our fallen flesh.”
He adds, “Non-resistance is something we have to learn… It’s definitely not something we’re born with.”
The toddler scene illustrates natural behavior: the second child “just grabs,” the first “resists with all his strength,” with “screaming” and sometimes “hitting and biting.”
Bercot relates it to his own heart: when called to turn the other cheek, “my flesh has objected mightily… I’m certainly not non-resistant by nature.”
His broader point is that Jesus’ commands confront what culture teaches: “Fight for your rights… Don’t let anyone shove you around.”

Discussion Follow-ups Where do you most quickly “grab” or “resist”—arguments at home, workplace credit, online disputes, political talk? What practices might help you “learn” non-resistance rather than merely admire it?

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Jumpstarter 5 of 10