(Matthew 5:39 KJV) But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.I understand it and apply it on a regular basis. Unfortunately there are many people who are so locked into their style of aggression they look at it as an invitation. They have been taught that the way it works is you keep pushing until you meet resistance, then you back off and search for another victim or begin to communicate. Think of them as scavengers such as jackals, hyenas or vultures. They are looking for the weak and infirm. They do not go for the healthy and robust. In fact, I think it is the same way for lions and other predators. They don’t chase the strongest. They drag down the weak.
The principle of turning the other cheek is that we are to avoid conflict and give people the benefit of the doubt. They may be having a bad day. Cut them some slack. The hard part is discerning who the total aggressors are.
When I am driven to the point of screaming back at someone I always feel guilty. What always amazes me is how mellow they can become after I stop yelling. It should not be my default. The Bible is full of admonitions to not fly off the handle. I am still thinking it needs to be a tool in my repertoire.
homo unius libri
My neighbor used to say that he'd turn the other cheek ONE TIME. After that, it would be "Katie, bar the door!"
ReplyDeleteOf course then you have to turn to the 7 times seventy passage, but who's checking?
DeleteGrace and peace