“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].” [Matthew 5:38-39]
I have always had problems with these 2 verses. I’m not one that avoids conflicts, disagreements though physical violence is not my style. But a ‘slap on the cheek’ is always a deliberate act, even when it’s a ‘reaction’. Then again, it really isn’t the physical slaps that hurt it’s the personal words that can cut deeper. However, thank heavens for the Amplified Bible, because it’s those words in ( ) that can give us a greater understanding, and this one also gives context.
There are some major points for me and the first is: ‘simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate’. I had a ‘friend’ who once said to me – ‘you’re no fun ’cause you don’t respond. At the time I had no idea and it wasn’t any brilliance on my part to not respond – for once (because that wasn’t typical behavior on my part) I obviously was thinking on other ‘things’. But while we typically look at silence as assent, never assume. There really is strength in intentional silence because it always takes 2 to ‘fight’.
I’ve also discovered that the non response by me that is accompanied by just standing there, not cowering but maintaining my dignity, can have a great affect. The, ‘maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise’ speaks volumes. And that was a very loud one. But to answer the Title’s initial question – the answer is, ‘Yes’. But we’ve not read the context nor how the words are defined. Once you do delve a bit below the surface, then correct response can emerge.
Now the question becomes: can, will you comply? Will you depart the scene with your integrity in tact? Integrity is defined by behavior… will you stop long enough to see what your response should be? These verses and their associate behavior are saying far more than we initially realize. It doesn’t mean ‘fight’, it doesn’t mean ‘flight’, there are many opportunities to respond without incurring a negative reaction from the ‘perpetrator’. You aren’t responsible for their reactions but you most certainly are for yours.
