Turning the Other Cheek

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5.38-39 ESV)

Most of us hesitate to turn the other cheek because we associate turning the other cheek with weakness, allowing ourselves to be bullied and humiliated.

We miss the point of the passage if we believe that turning the other cheek relegates us to letting people walk all over us.

Reflecting God’s glory is the point.

Dr. Walter Wink shared an interesting perspective on this passage. "Slapping" someone on the right cheek, using the back of the right hand, was done to show authority over  someone you believed to be lower than you. So if someone slaps another person on the right cheek, turning the other cheek (the left cheek) created a dilemma for the offender for two reasons.

First, a back-handed strike on the left cheek would not have been done because the left hand was used for unclean purposes. Second, using an open left hand was a statement of equality. The offender was left to wrestle with whether it was worth it to hit the offended person a second time.

I would also contend that the offended person had the right to "slap" the offender. But in foregoing the right to hit back and turning the other cheek, the offended person now has the moral latitude and power to direct the situation.

The offender is left with an awkward predicament. Because the world and our flesh expect retaliation, turning the other cheek creates a vulnerable but potentially powerful moment. For the believer, turning the other cheek can turn the situation into something God uses to show a powerful message, reveal Jesus, and reflect God’s character for the sake of the Gospel.

Followers of Jesus must respond in ways the world will not expect--the way of Jesus.

When we are wronged, the world expects us to retaliate. Our emotions rage for justice. But instead of demanding justice for ourselves, we should depend on the Holy Spirit so that people will see kindness, love, compassion, service, prayer, ministry, joy, peace, patience, self-control, care and power. In other words, turning the other cheek allows people the chance to Jesus through you. 

Depend on God for restraint under pressure. Love not hate. Act wisely not react quickly. Trust Jesus not ourselves. Give Jesus our lives. This calls for strength in the face of adversity, requires abandonment to our flesh, dependence on God, and allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us.

How does this apply in our time?

Speak with kindness

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1

Go overboard by loving and ministering to your enemies

“²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, ²² for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22

Be willing to be wronged

“Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” (1 Corinthians 6:7) We do this because it causes us to be more dependent on God and see Him work through our weakness. This is where God does supernaturally more than anything we can accomplish on our own.

Forego what you deserve for the sake of the Gospel

“But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9)

So how will you speak words of kindness in conversation?

Are you praying for your enemies? In what ways will you serve and minister to them?

In what areas of your life are you willing to be wronged so that God can be glorified and the Gospel can spread?

What rights are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel?

This is not an easy teaching to follow. It requires total surrender to Jesus. But we can rest assured that God’s grace “is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12.9) 

When we depend on Him, He will give us the strength to “turn the other cheek” and grow into Christ-likeness as we follow Him. What others see as we depend on Christ to turn the other cheek, will be a testimony to the world.