By: Nadine Judge
Have you ever been hurt badly and without deserving it? Have you ever been so mad about something someone has done to you that all you want to do is give that person a good slap?
Has someone done you so wrong that you never want to see them again? Are you going to join the singer who sang the “somebody done somebody wrong” song? (B.J Thomas)
I’m pretty sure that somewhere along the line, you would’ve experienced something like what has been mentioned.
Revenge would be so amazingly sweet, don’t you think? And yet, do two wrongs make a right? Just for interest, the Cambridge dictionary states as follows:
“Two wrongs don’t make it right is said to “emphasise that it is not acceptable to do something bad to someone just because they did something bad to you first.”
Do you wonder where that statement comes from?
Let us look at Matthew 5:38-39 “(NIV)You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
Would it not be wonderful if we could just stop at verse 38 – Yes, and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth – if taken literally it would be rather gross, but here it is saying that people believed it was right to return the wrong that was done to you, in the same way in which it was done to you.
However, we need to read on to verse 39 to see what Jesus was saying.
39 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.” Gulp!!
What in the world could this mean? Let us unpack this a little to see how we do this.
The heading under which these verses falls is under the title “Sermon on the Mount”. In these passages Matthew 5 – 7 (chapters) Jesus is talking about transformation. From the way we thought we should behave, to how we should be living – not just behaving – because of who He is. He is encouraging us to live a life of righteousness and integrity, and not as the world lives. It is not about rule-keeping but allowing the Holy Spirit to help us to live these righteous lives of integrity.
In Matthew 5:39 the “slap” is not a literal one – its referring to personal slights, injustices, hurt, wrongful accusations and Jesus is saying that we need to conform to the Holy Spirit and “turn the other cheek”.
Turn the other cheek goes hand in hand with Matt 6:14-15 (NIV)which states “If you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Note, this does not mean we will not be forgiven, but because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, when we accept this amazing gift of forgiveness, we are entreated to behave in the same way to others. When we don’t forgive others or “turn the other cheek,” our relationship with our heavenly Father is affected.
Ephesians 4:32 – 5:2 (NIV) “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
What is so important here is to remember that “turning the other cheek” and forgiving the other person is not about the other person. Yes, it is not about making the other person feel good or great because of what they did to you. It’s not about thinking that they won, and you lost. Forgiveness is something to do between you and God. It’s something the Holy Spirit also helps you to do. When I forgive, it confirms my love for Jesus and my thankfulness for all that He has done for me. And when I ask the Holy Spirit to help me forgive and turn the other cheek, I can walk in the incredible, wonderful freedom and joy that is promised to me. I know that there is nothing standing in my way when I come to the Lord.
If you are walking in unforgiveness, if you have retaliated when hurt, made angry or anything else, may I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to come and help you to walk differently. To walk righteously and with integrity, from today onwards. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you forgive those who have wronged you, hurt your, made you angry, and see how your life will change.
I can truly say, that living with the concept of forgiveness first, turning the other cheek first and not retaliating, has benefits that are “out of this world.”