Turn the other Cheek

10. July 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

We’re still studying the following text: 

Matthew 5:38 ”You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Yesterday, we talked about the meaning of the phrase “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”    Jesus opens up this passage by stating the existing law of retribution and retaliation.  Jesus says that I know that you have been taught the boundaries whereby you can expect compensation or whereby you can seek retribution, but Jesus teaches his hearers not to retaliate violently or seek revenge for those who have wronged you.  The phrase “do not resist an evil person” in its original Greek language means “by evil means” so a better translation would be to say “do not repay evil with evil.”    

Remember, context drives meanings.  It is clear in the scripture that we are not to seek personal revenge when we have been wronged.  Jesus actually takes it even further by saying be kind to those who have wronged you by giving them more than they demand.  Jesus teaches how a “righteous” person should exercise self discipline.   It is easy to go “tit for tat” with someone but it takes discipline to control your anger and your emotions when wronged.  

As Christians we  should not react to situations.  The word teaches that we have “weapons of warfare” that are not carnal (worldly) but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds.   There is a popular phrase that says “I know who I am and whose I am.”  It speaks to believers knowing their identity in Christ.  From our lesson on “blessed are the poor in spirit” we learned that “poverty of spirit” means to empty ourselves of our self righteousness and realize that we are nothing and can do nothing outside of God.  It teaches that we must rely on God as our source for everything.  This principle is the first step in embracing the “abundant life” that God has for us.   

I brought this teaching back to our rememberance to say that if we realize that God is in control and not our enemies then we know that God will fight our battles and will work everything together for our good thus making it unnecessary to seek revenge on our enemies.    As a matter of fact, the scriptures teach us to pray for those who despitefully use us and to be kind to our enemies for it is like heaping coals of fire upon their head.   

The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:17 “ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (NIV)  

The first example that Jesus gives is concerning someone striking you on the right cheek.  He instructs to turn to them the left cheek also.   In the ancient world one of the greatest ways to insult someone is to strike them on the right cheek.  This offense was such a grievous insult that both Jewish and Roman law allowed prosecution for the act.    The concept is that though you think that you are insulting me by this action the offering of the other cheek is to show that you have no power to insult me.    For most of us viewing this site, this practice is not a part of our culture so we probably wanted be confronted with this custom but the principle still stands.  Our confidence in our relationship with God will cause insults to just “roll off our backs” and there is no need to retaliate or seek revenge.  One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they that love thy law and nothing shall offend thee.”   I love that psalm.     

Ohhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!  I’m getting so excited.  The word is just so powerful to me.  It is life changing and mind changing and can cause us to have strong minds and stable emotions.   Everything revolves around the mind for everything flows out of the mind.  God is after the mind/heart and so is the enemy.  The scriptures teach us that there must first be a “renewing of the mind.”        

I can’t explain it.  It’s simply God.  This word just has a way of transforming your thoughts and mind and making you become bold, powerful, influential, and a conqueror.  It’s soooooooooo worth the investment of our time to mediate daily and study it. 

Okay, we’ll pick up with the next statement from Jesus tomorrow.  God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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