One of the most difficult verses in the Bible to submit to is what Jesus instructs in Matthew 5:39: “Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek as well.” Receiving a slap in the face is extremely rare, so what is the broader application Jesus is trying to convey?
How should you respond to Jesus’ instructions? First, suppress the urge to viciously retaliate. Refuse to be forced into silence by shame. Be willing to accept the truth of the criticism or insult. By owning the truth and accepting the criticism, you have, in effect, “turned the other cheek”.
What Jesus instructs in Luke 6:27 is also difficult: “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” The value of behaving as Jesus instructs is that you grow in maturity by practicing maturity, just as you grow spiritually by putting into action your faith in Jesus Christ.
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who
say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are
to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.
~1 Peter 3:9 The Living Bible
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