You have heard do not murder (Matthew 5:21), do not commit adultery (Matthew 5:27), do not divorce (Matthew 5:31), do not break your vows (Matthew 5:33), and that the punishment must match the injury (Matthew 5:38). Jesus is talking about old Mosaic laws that had been twisted by the religious rulers of the day. In Matthew 5:38 Jesus is referring to an Old Testament law that was for those in authority; the religious leaders had taken it and made it good for personal use…thus, justifying revenge. Jesus is not repealing the law he instituted in Leviticus, but he is saying not to take matters into your own hands to get revenge.
Here is what this verse does not talk against:
Christians should be wimps, self-defense is bad, tough business negotiations are bad, or any law enforcement or military is bad (2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 12:19, and Luke 4:29).
Jesus specifically mentions the right cheek in the verse that follows. Considering most people are right-handed, this is referring to a backhanded slap from someone. The idea was when someone hurts or insults you, don’t repay with the same action. However, righting the wrong was okay.
You can right the wrong, but don’t repay with revenge (Matthew 21). How do you right the wrong?
Use the system Jesus taught (Matthew 18:15-19).
Unfortunately, people will insult and hurt us. You can count on that. Here is how you handle insults and hurts:
- First, one-on-one (Matthew 18:15).
- If that person doesn’t respond, then you handle it two-on-one (Matthew 18:16).
- If that person still doesn’t respond, then you handle it church-on-one (Matthew 18:17).
The idea is to save the relationship, not kick them out of the church.
Use the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-5).
- The laws of the land do not stop at the Christian’s doorstep.
- God has placed people in authority and has established laws of the land; Christians are not exempt from using or being punished by the laws of the land (Proverbs 20:26).
Revenge will take away your emotions, time, and energy from the things that are most important in your life.
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