Turn or Stand

A Short Sermon by Brother Greg

Matthew 5:39

            “But I tell you not to resist an evil person.  But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” 

What determines when a Christian should turn the other cheek or stand in defense? 

Second Timothy 2:23-26 says, “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.  And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient in humility, correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps would grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

A child of God can experience tremendous growth by turning the other cheek.  Teaching moments are often wrapped in crises and burdens.  The reward is seeing the lost “escape the snare of the devil.”  There are times when we turn the cheek and accept physical/emotional abuse and property damage/loss, all for the sake of growth.  We sacrifice with patience. 

What is it that guides us to the knowledge of the right choice, to turn or to stand?

…The Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4)

            First Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.”  Whether we turn the other cheek or stand in defense, we must do so in righteousness under the direction of the Lord.  “He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells in Him” (Daniel 2:22).  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8).  As children of God, we must never act outside of God’s direction.  We should not allow our emotions to overcome our faith.

            Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.”  If evil is allowed to continue, it is encouraged to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).  The enemy has an evil plan driven by hatred.  Standing in defense should never be personal but spiritual.  Matthew 21:12 describes a time when Jesus stood in defense; Jesus is always under the direction of the heavenly Father (John 14:10).  [Make sure your “good” aligns with God’s “good”]. 

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” – Colossians 3:17

            We should never allow our emotions to overcome our faith and be useful for the enemy’s plan.  Acting outside of the Lord can be the one action the enemy needs to accomplish his evil plan.