If someone comes up and slaps us, are we to apply the ‘eye for an eye’ principle, or the ‘turn the other cheek’ principle? The Bible speaks of both, so is that a contradiction?
Let me give you some truth that’ll slap. Get it? (You can thank my teenagers for that word choice.) It’s actually very interesting to dive deeper into Matthew 5:38: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law called for the “eye for an eye” principle when it came to implementing even and fair governmental punishments. However, over time, religious leaders were pushing these verses too far, as a type of obligation in personal relationships. When Jesus instructed us to “turn the other cheek”, He was not saying we should allow someone to beat us over the head and then allow them to keep on beating us in the name of spirituality. We obviously have a right to defend ourselves, and the government has a right to administer the “eye for an eye” principle when punishing a criminal.
However, the “turn the other cheek” principle sheds light on how we should respond to personal attacks and insults. You’ll see Jesus, Paul, and others living out and preaching this principle throughout the Scriptures. When others attack our character, say mean things to us or about us, or even post things about us on social media, perhaps we should consider “turning the other cheek”.
It was commonly known that the “right cheek” Jesus speaks of was being hit by the back of one’s hand, which was far more insulting than being hit by the open palm. That’s an insult that stings, for sure. It’s an insult that evokes the natural reaction of retaliation. Yet, Jesus is calling us to ignore it, to take it, and to keep on going.
It reminds me of when Jesus told His disciples to leave a town that had not properly received and respected them, and to “shake off the dust of your feet” (Matt. 10:14). It’s the notion of letting something “roll off your back” and continuing to serve Jesus.
Why? Because the BIG PICTURE is we “battle not against flesh and blood” (Ephes. 6:12). The BIG PICTURE is that we have a very short life meant to bring glory to Jesus and not to ourselves. The BIG PICTURE sees insults as distractions from Satan Himself that keep us from the mission at hand.
Paul talks of a “Messenger of Satan to buffet me”. “Buffet” sounds delicious, but is just an old word for “torment” and “harass”. This could be a physical ailment for sure. However, I’ve thought for many years that Paul could be referring to the people who had verbally attacked him. He was even rejected and opposed by some within the churches he had helped to establish. But Paul goes on to mention that he’s not here for his own glory, but for the glory of Jesus (2 Cor. 12).
It’s not natural to think this way. It’s not natural to let the insults fly while you keep your nose to the grindstone. It’s natural to want to stop what you’re doing and address the haters. I know this, because I’ve experienced it. Just like many of you have. Christians who verbally attack you or gossip about you can make you feel crippled with hurt. You just want to retreat. You want to give up under the weight of the lies and ugliness.
But Jesus’ words that were true thousands of years ago are still true today. As long as you’re not living in sin and being addressed about it, you are to ignore the insults. They’ll come at you for the rest of your life if you’re doing anything notable for the kingdom. It’s one of Satan’s most incredible and effective tactics. Personal insults hurt, they debilitate, they divide, and sometimes, they conquer. We simply cannot allow this to happen. We must keep going.
To be clear, God does tell us there is a time to “answer the fool according to his folly” (Prov. 26:4) and He also tells us there is a time to “answer not a fool according to his folly” (Prov. 26:5). Having the wisdom to know when and when not to respond can be the hardest task in life.
Sometimes, when suspicions are flying and the gossip is rampant, there is a time to answer a fool. But as a well-known evangelist recently said, after receiving public ridicule that he called “noise” from other professing Christians, “I answer to one Person, and that’s my Judge…I’m working too hard to face Him to waste time answering other people. I’ve got too much to do fighting the devil to be fighting with Christians….” And he’s right. We don’t answer to people. We answer to God.
A commentator wrote, “’…the true Christian has learned to resent no insult and to seek retaliation for no slight.’ When we think how Jesus Himself was insulted and spoken against (as a glutton, a drunk, an illegitimate child, a blasphemer, a madman, and so forth) we see how He lived this principle Himself.” There is truly no better example of “turn the other cheek” than Jesus Himself.
When insults are flying, and the easiest response is to fire back, we are to remember God’s principles: Shake the dust off our feet, turn the other cheek, and use our precious time to keep on serving Jesus.
Just a Mom’s View 