Read Luke 6:29a
Don’t Insult Me!
Jesus gets finished telling the people to love their enemies, to pray for them, to do good to them, and bless them. Such statement goes against what the world teaches us. Revenge is the way of the world. Jesus goes on to say even more statements that the world would have a hard time accepting.
In the first half of verse 29, Jesus says, “If someone slaps you on the one cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Striking someone on the cheek was often meant as an insult to one’s honor and the striker could be taken to court and fined.
If someone insult you by striking your cheek or insults you with words, what is your initial heart response? Retaliation and Revenge! That’s what our flesh wants to do. But turning the other cheek, or responding back with some form of compassion can bring a person to regret their actions.
Think of Jesus on the cross between two criminals. Both hurled insults at Jesus, but what caused the one to go from hurling insults to wanting forgiveness and to be with Jesus after his death? Jesus never retaliated, he didn’t hurl insults back, he kept silent. I’d have to say he probably looked at the criminals with eyes of compassion and love which pierced the hearts of the one criminal and convicted him of his sin. This resulted in the man concluding that Jesus was the Son of God.
When we are insulted, we need to look at the person with compassion but also with confidence in who we are in Christ. We need to be seen as strong in our faith but one with compassion and love. We can’t be seen as a coward who is often taken advantage of. Once someone takes advantage of us, then I feel there’s a point to stand up and defend oneself. Resist conflict at all costs but if an insult turns into a fight then I believe there is a time when we need to defend ourselves or defend our loved ones. But generally speaking, be confident in your faith, not a coward. Show love and compassion and not retaliation or revenge.
