Question on your view of Matthew 5:39.

[Paul83]

"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on they right check, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:39

I have always tried to take this verse at face value, but wonder if it make me other peoples doormat. I would like to hear what other's views on this verse are, maybe someone knows something I don't.

 

[xDICEx]

forgive the pun: but face value is how this text must be taken. Obviously what it teaches is individual initiative in not resisting evil by personally not seeking vengeance. That belongs to God, to seek it for our selves is in a sense robbery. However, that said: Godly rule of law disallows such unprovoked bodily assault, and I owe my fellow man the security of his/her pursuit of life liberty and happiness, so on behalf of others I humbly appoint officers to apply God vengeance as his duly appointed ministers as the book of Romans claims. This is a governmental dispensation to societies of individuals; therefore, the powers that are vested in me in self government (the ones I delegate to police) must always be pursued in a lawful manner.

A hells angel I once knew, when threatened in a bar as he witnessed his conversion to Christ with the quip, "ya mean ur changed now so if I clobber ya, ur going to turn the other cheek?" replied: " If the grace of God is with me, yes, but if not I'm going to sweep up the sidewalk with ya." That is our personal obligation for offenses to ourselves, yes. But we ought never allow others to be bullied. We have laws for that.

forgive me for the length...I hope this helps...DGB

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,


to keep in context, we need remember to read the Scriptures where such questions arise from as often this will reveal the answers we seek... and if we ask for wisdom, the Lord gives it to us.

Matthew 5:33-40
<TABLE style="FONT-SIZE: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; FONT-FAMILY: sans-serif" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>33</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>34</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>35</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>36</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>37</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>38</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>39</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>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.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>40</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>41</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>42</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>43</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>44</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>45</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>46</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>47</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?</TD></TR><TR><TD class=t_verse vAlign=top>48</TD><TD class=t_text style="WIDTH: 100%" vAlign=top>Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


A thought that comes to mind here is the smite upon the cheek in accusation or challenge... like a glove was used to slap ones face if a duel was desired. Perhaps, rather than take up the challenge, we are intsructed to let them accuse... let them win... be called a chicken but do not give place to fighting and warring, as we are servants of the Lord now .

Smite me again.. for I do not wish to fight.. I come in peace, in Jesus name.


Bless you ....><>



Br. Bear

 

[Fellowservant]

Well there's that, and cast not your pearls before swine. I quess it would depend on how many slaps he or she is giveing you. We are not called to be doormats, we do have laws on this as well. Paul called a man a white washed wall, because he threatened to hit him against the law. So use wisdom here...

God bless

 

[Hekuran]

There is no need for anybody taking on this principle to become a doormat. Think of Martin Luther King and his followers, who took these words of Jesus as a key principle and put them into practice.

Rather than becoming powerless, he wielded an extraordinary power - and changed things for the better.

Or read the account of Jesus before Pilate in John 18. The authorities appear to have all the power, but they are in fact completely disarmed by Jesus' refusal to fight.

If you allow someone to hit you because you are so timid or lack so much dignity that you think it is not worth fighting back, then you are a doormat.

If you refuse to respond with violence because you trust in God to right all wrongs, and to reward his children, then you are no doormat, you are a witness to the living God.