“But I say to you, Do not resist the evil man [who injures you]; but if anyone strikes you on the right jaw or cheek, turn to him the other one too.” – Matthew 5:39 (AMP)

In Yoruba culture, there is a popular saying – “If a hen destroys my medicine/charm, I also will break her eggs.” This saying goes with the Old Testament law which says, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” What does this mean? It means that I can take revenge on whoever does evil to me, either in the same measure or in an increased measure. But this is one of the laws that Christ came to readdress and abolish.

Unfortunately, there are Christians who still live by this principle that if anyone does evil to them, they’d rather retaliate than let go or forgive and let God deal with it. From the passage today, Jesus emphasizes that His disciples must be people who can always turn the other cheek, that is, will not resist the evil nor pay evil with evil but will rather conquer evil with good.

Being a disciple means that you will be denied many rights and privileges but you must understand that that’s the example Christ paid for us to follow. There are many believers who are no longer generous because of what people have done to them. They no longer help those genuinely in need nor do they care about people around them again, perhaps because of past experiences. But Christ doesn’t want us to live like this.

In the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was arrested and Malchus, a servant of the priest’s ear was cut off by one of the disciples, Jesus still healed that young man, without minding what’s being done to Him at the moment. Normally, He should have been happy that one of those who came to arrest Him has been injured but He didn’t do that, rather He still showed His goodness.

You have to be like Christ even in this difficult aspect of your walk with the Lord. There are many persons who borrowed from you with the promise to pay back but didn’t, don’t allow that make you close your heart against those who would genuinely need your financial assistance.

Christ is in you and let His goodness manifest through you daily to everyone around you. You are the light of the world. Light shines brighter in thick darkness. Let your light so shine before men, even if they won’t appreciate the glory and beauty of your light, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is heaven. Blessings.

Practical Application: Have you ever been in a situation where you have to turn the other cheek, maybe not literally? How did you handle the situation?

Confession: The Spirit of Christ is in me and His goodness flows through to everyone around me. I am a channel through which those around me experience God and His goodness. I overcome evil with good. I act and speak as a son of God.

Related Scriptures: Matthew 5:38-42, Luke 6:27-36, Luke 22:49-51

Bible Reading: Luke 6