Christian or not, I’m sure you have heard the phrase, Turn the other cheek. Growing up openly Christian, I heard it every other day when the kids at school would pick on me for my faith and then scream, Turn the other cheek! whenever I retaliated or threatened to tell the teacher.

It’s strange … 99% of the people who’ve quoted that scripture to me weren’t Christian at all and weren’t using that verse the correct way.

So how do you use this scripture? What does it mean to turn the other cheek?

Too often people take the Word of God at face value—interpreting the Bible literally instead of spiritually and often misunderstanding the true message. As Believers, we must make it our priority to righteously interpret the Word; so let’s dive a little deeper and truly understand this scripture.

Turn the other cheek comes from Matthew 5:39 (and again at Luke 6:29). It is part of the famous Sermon on the Mount, delivered by Christ Himself.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 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 5:38-39 NIV

I included verse 38 here because I think it is important for us to see the full context in which Jesus was speaking. Turn the other cheek is the exact opposite of ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. Jesus is telling us to go against everything we’ve known—why? Because eye for an eye is an act of vengeance. It is payback. It is getting even. It is not Christlike.

The desire to get revenge is natural. When someone wrongs us, we want something done about it. If we are insulted by someone, we want to insult them back. If we are hurt or stolen from or our property is damaged, we want the culprit to pay. We want to get even. Our courts call it justice, but in its most primitive form, it is vengeance.

Now, there is nothing wrong with vengeance, my friends; there is nothing wrong with wanting to retaliate or fight back against those who have wronged us. The problem isn’t in desiring these things, the problem is that we sometimes take revenge on our own.

Christians have earned a reputation for being meek—there are some who look at us and see doormats, there are some who enjoy poking at Believers because they expect us to turn the other cheek and say nothing. Do not be fooled by these people.  

It is correct that Matthew 5:39 says, Do not resist an evil person, but it is incorrect to assume that means to do nothing. Jesus did not mean for us to lay down and allow people to mistreat us. He did not mean for us to open our front doors and step aside when we hear a burglar picking our locks. Do not resist an evil person is an order to maintain peace with our enemies.

Do not fight with your neighbor every week because their dog walks on your front lawn. Do not mouth off to your boss—even though he is rude. Don’t bicker with your coworkers, even when they’re trying to pick a fight. When an evil person tries to attack you, do not pay them any attention—look to God.

THAT is what it means to turn the other cheek. It doesn’t mean to do nothing, or to allow yourself to be bullied and overpowered. It means to look away, because when you’re focused on that evil person, you are not focused on Jesus. Christ doesn’t tell us this just to keep the peace, it is vital for us as Believers to turn the other cheek; because when you turn your cheek, you look away from the evil person and back to Jesus. It is only when your eyes are on the Cross that you can cast your cares upon it.

Once you hand that problem over to Jesus, He takes full control of the situation. And when God steps in the ring, He does not lose and He does not quit until its over.  

Paul talks about revenge in Romans 12:17-19 NIV, Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

I love this passage because Paul acknowledges that it is sometimes hard work maintaining peace with everyone. There will be people who come after you, some who hate you simply because you are a Christian. But do not take revenge; turn the other cheek and look to Jesus. He wants to avenge you because you are His child and He loves you dearly.   

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