The Better Way
“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 5:39 (NIV)
I saw a video the other day of a confrontation on an airplane. An argument took place, and one person slapped another, and the other slapped them right back. In the comments, people fully endorsed the second slap—not for self-defense, but because they felt it was deserved. The first person who had slapped had a bad attitude and had no right to slap. People were angry with the first person, so they felt the second slap was justified, even praiseworthy. This perfectly reflects our natural thinking: if someone wrongs you, they should get what’s coming to them. Stand up for yourself. Don’t be weak. And if the person is especially rude, people don’t just approve—they cheer when they get slapped back. Our culture is so deeply immersed in this vindictive mindset that we hardly even recognize it anymore.
But Jesus teaches the opposite. He calls us to not repay evil for evil because when we do, we’re allowing ourselves to be pulled into the very same darkness. All the enemy must do is send evil our way, and if we retaliate in kind, he’s effectively controlled us.
Instead, Jesus teaches us to overcome evil with good. Is it easy? Not at all. But with God’s strength, it’s possible. And thank God He doesn’t operate on a slap-for-slap basis—because if He did, none of us would stand a chance. God not only withholds the slaps we deserve—He pours out grace, filling our lives with goodness we could never earn. May His mercy soften our hearts and lead us to walk in His better way.