Turning the Other Cheek

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

    and my place of safety.

—Psalm 18:2

If you believe that the Lord is your Savior and protector, why would you ever attempt to protect yourself? Wouldn’t you rather have God defend you?

“But I tell you not to resist an evil person,” Jesus said. “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39).

In this verse, Jesus presents us with a choice: to resist evil words or actions directed at us by turning the other cheek. Instead of succumbing to our offender’s abuse, turning the other cheek is a way for the Lord to become our defender. By allowing the Lord to defend us, we are surrendering to our Savior, our Rock, and the power that saves us, rather than giving the offense the power to disarm us.

Some people believe that Jesus’ instruction to turn the other cheek gives others the right to exploit them. Yes, this would be true if there were no God. But we have a Savior who has graced us with His forgiveness and goodness despite our sins. When responding to an offense with kindness (Matthew 5:39-42, Romans 12:20), we overcome evil with God's goodness (Romans 12:21). We yield to God's right to defend us.

Paul wrote in Romans 12:19, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord.” When we follow Jesus’ instruction to turn the other cheek, we honor God’s right to avenge evil, and He defends us.

Never retaliate with evil; you’ll have no defense against it because you’re drawing on your own resources. However, when we turn the other cheek, we allow God to be our defense. Once we comprehend that God’s strength is the most powerful option, it becomes evident that “turning the other cheek” is for our own benefit.

“For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).

Human anger can never produce the righteousness that God desires. Regardless of how justified your anger may seem or how you believe it could alter a person or situation, it never yields the most favorable outcome for either the other person or yourself.

Either God defends us or we defend ourselves. We cannot have it both ways. When we defend ourselves, we hinder God’s ability to defend us. By turning the other cheek to those who harm us, we release the power of God on our behalf. We are exercising the authority He has entrusted to us by choosing His strength over our own.

Turning the other cheek is about being submissive to God, rather than submitting to the control of another person. It is God being defiant in you. Humility is a powerful force in the face of persecution. When all your pride rails against your offender, turn the other cheek. By doing so, you surrender to the very power that saved you. God defends you.

The Lord your God is He who fights for you, just as He has promised you (Joshua 23:10b).

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