Steven and Gerald explain what Jesus REALLY meant in the Sermon on the Mount when he said “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” – Matthew 5:38-40
8 Comments on What people get wrong about “Turning The Other Cheek”
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Excellent analysis. Most Christians get this scripture wrong. Self defense is not a sin – just know when it’s necessary and to what degree. Evangelism resulting in salvation, people redeemed by Christ is the focus – Big picture.
BTW, Consider yourself prideful, envious, pious, and pompous – just plain evil, if you’re trying to be “better” than Christ. There is no such thing.
not sure that was what Jesus meant, but I can go along w/ it
I thought Jesus was teaching us that to push back against simple slights such as a ‘smite’ (KJV) isn’t worth the effort as we cannot change the evil in others. only they can accomplish that … I could be wrong but I believe that Jesus, & particularly his teachings, were the manifestation of the salvation that God sought to bring to humans
Understand that Jesus taught that rendering Aggression for aggressions’ sake makes one as bad as the evil person. Protecting yourself and others from evil is always appropriate. Else wise why would he have sacrificed himself to overcome the ultimate evil?
the motivation and ethics of Evil can corrupt and Jesus was worried about this corruption. That why we have been given “the full armor” of God as told to us in the Book of Romans.
At 18 it was shoot first or die so never really got the hang of turning the other cheek.
Literally got that drilled out of me, not that I was ever much of a cheek turner anyway.
Always good to have context.
I have no idea of Jewish culture 2000 years ago.
(or now, come to think of it)
Sort of have the impression that everyone (in all times and places) is pretty much American middle-income rural/suburban person. Funny how that works.
izlamo delenda est …
I listen to a podcast called The Armed Lutheran. Good show.
“Sell your coat and buy a side-arm (sword)”
Read that in context. That is not saying you should do that to a person who wants to kill you. That is against your brothers, relatives, friends, enemies within your neighborhood and others. Not against someone who broke into your house with a gun and wants to kill you and take away your children for example.
Not against the evil.
Also it does not literally mean that. It is in the context of not seeking revenge, and retaliate.
Jesus had no problem driving out those who desecrated the synagogue, for example.
Any one who read the Bible and read what Jesus said in context understands exactly what he said.