What does "turn the other cheek" mean to you? How do you interpret that?

Turning the other cheek does not mean that a Christian would not defend himself against violent assailants.

Jesus was not saying that we should never defend ourselves but, rather, that we should never strike offensively, that we should not allow ourselves to be provoked to take revenge.

While it is wise to retreat whenever possible in order to avoid a fight, it is proper to take steps to protect ourselves and to seek the help of the police if we are a victim of a crime.

Matthew chapter 5, verse 39. There Jesus says: Do not resist him that is wicked; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.

Did he mean that if someone hits you with his fist on one side of your face, you should let him hit you on the other side?

No, Jesus did not mean that at all. A slap is not like a hit with the fist. It is more like a push or a shove. A person may slap us to pick a fight. He wants us to get angry.

And if we get angry and we push or shove back, what happens?

We will probably get into a fight. Jesus is not here referring to a blow intended to do injury but to an insulting slap with the back of the hand.

But Jesus did not want his followers to get into fights. So he said that if someone slaps us, we should not slap him back.

 We should not become angry and get into a fight. If we do, we show that we are no better than the one who started the fight.

If trouble starts, what do you think is the best thing to do? It is to walk away.

The other person may push or shove you a few more times. But that will probably be the end of it.

When you walk away, it does not mean that you are weak. It means that you are strong for what is right.

But what if you let yourself get into a fight and you win? What could happen then? The one you beat up could come back with some friends.

They might even hurt you with a big stick or a knife. So, can you see why Jesus did not want us to get into fights?

It means forgive those who hurt you, rather than thinking about how you will get back at them.

When someone does an evil act toward you, return good for evil, not evil for evil.

Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

In those days, a slap to the right cheek was a challenge to a duel, to the death. Jesus was saying dont accept the challenge. Offer up the other cheek instead. Dont be a fool. Would you rather have a red cheek, or be dead right?


Ecclesiastes 9:4 — As they say, “It’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion!”

It means deescalate hatred and violence
with a calm, generous and understanding demeanor.

Jesus was teaching pacifism.
He didn't always live up to his own principles
but lost his temper, occasionally.

After all, he was only human.

--
Regards,

John Popelish

Act like you're a fool and let GOD handle it!

"Vengeance is Mine, saith the LORD!  I will repay!" 

"To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste" (Deuteronomy 32:35)!

"These six things doth the LORD (((HATE:))) yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (((An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,))) >>> A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren"<<<  
(Proverbs 6:16-19).

"VENGEANCE IS MINE, SAITH THE LORD!  I WILL REPAY!"

"Be angry but do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26).

To be angry for GOD is not a sin!

As the Prophet David said in Psalm 139:20-24

20 "For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

What does it mean to turn the other cheek? Read this interesting article: https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=102010324&srcid=share

Don't fight back
You can't distinguish fire with fire
Walk away

Forgive and forget. Of course some things are harder to do that than others. For example, my neighbor's dog poops on my lawn is one thing but my neighbor raping my 10-y-o granddaughter is another. Not paying my $20 back is one thing. Burning my house down is another.

It means "aw don't worry, people who oppress you make the baby jesus VERY upset, they'll get punished in the next life! I mean sure - they might live a life of constant luxury now, literally getting fat off the injustice they wreak on others and seemingly in spite of divine will but hey - I pinky-promise I'll do something about it!"

And DEFINITELY not "Yeah, we just wrote that bit in to keep people happy - it's amazing what peasants believe!"