“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 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. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."

I am trying to understand a bit deeper what Jesus meant by the following key statements ;
- Do not resist an evil person
- If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
- And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

These statements are powerful messages that can either break or make a society. Indeed if a society were to imbibe his advice, they would lose their identity, culture and even their land because they will not protect their own. They will easily and readily allow an evil government perpetuate evil against its citizens, they will not protect their wives and daughters, they will turn a blind eye while wicked people run rampant.

Surely Jesus could not have made these statements, and I take Gods word over that of Jesus any day and anytime because Jesus was not God. God allows people to defend themselves from injustice, oppression, and evil.

I am beginning to think that these were political messages meant to assuage the Jews from their endless ploys to overthrow the Roman government in Jerusalem and its environs, but also to spread a message amongst one's enemies that will make them susceptible to colonialism, slavery, and passivity in the face of gross oppression. This was a message meant to turn warriors into pussycats, timid, passive and STUPID.

This is why in Africa, you can abuse the citizens and oppress them to oblivion and they will say things like ;
- Gods time is the best
- God dey
- God will help
- God saved me
- etc

Imagine scenarios in which the Christians of the North vigorously defend themselves from the onslaught of the Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram, Nigerians resist an evil government, not through violence but by mass action such as national strikes, collaborative shut down of the government, peaceful demonstrations, Nigerians stand up against their corrupt representatives and governors and even deselect them from further reelection. Imagine if Nigerians are allowed to own guns and defend themselves against attacks from kidnappers and armed robbers.

If we keep turning the other cheek and let our enemies keep slapping us, there will be no more 'face' to slap, just stupidity left.

Lastly, if an evil person asks me for my shirt, I will give him a dirty slap assuming he is not armed, if he is armed, I will give it to him but find out where he lives, go and take it back and make sure he receives a sound beating. nothing wrong with that.


Your thoughts !!

Dalaman likes talking about this, Jebus is such a weird character

Christians know that Jesus thought idiotic pasificm and all of them NEVER practice it because they know that it is not only idiotic but impossible.

I'm of the opinion that some parts of the scriptures were manipulated for the political and economic gains of the Europeans.

Especially the gospels & epistles.

CandidSeeker:
I'm of the opinion that some parts of the scriptures were manipulated for the political and economic gains of the Europeans.

Especially the gospels & epistles.

The Romans (Europeans ) brought the gospels and epistles to the world.

It depends on who slaps the cheek...

If the Devil (or his agent) slaps you on one cheek what will you do?

As for me...I'll reply in a way you can use bazooka to kill a mosquito instead of insecticide or a simple slap...

Please let's understand the word of God in the right perspective. There are many intepretations and perspectives...but we have to stick to the right one.

Excess knowledge with little understanding leads to confusion, delusion and insanity

CandidSeeker:
I'm of the opinion that some parts of the scriptures were manipulated for the political and economic gains of the Europeans.

Especially the gospels & epistles.

Absolutely correct!

Funny thing is that the same people who gave us the bible are the same people who went about conquering and overcoming other nations in the name of their God calling other people savages and brutes.

We have been scammed.

OkCornel:
It depends on who slaps the cheek...

If the Devil (or his agent) slaps you on one cheek what will you do?

Does the devil slap people? Most problems caused today are by wicked men and women not the devil.

dalaman:
Christians know that Jesus thought idiotic pasificm and all of them NEVER practice it because they know that it is not only idiotic but impossible.

Most so called 'Christian' nations don't practice it!

frosbel2:


Does the devil slap people? Most problems caused today are by wicked men and women not the devil.

And who uses the wicked people? God?

There are more diplomatic, effective and technical ways of retaliating such that the person whom the Devil used to slap you would feel sorry for their guilt on the spot!

It's not by thinking if you turn the other cheek and looking like a meek lamb...

If I slap you and go ahead to slap your loved ones one by one...are you telling me you'll turn the other cheek for me? both literally and figuratively? Are you saying you won't restrain me or fight back?

Please let's understand the word of God in the right perspective. There are many intepretations and perspectives...but we have to stick to the right one.

Excess knowledge with little understanding leads to confusion, delusion and insanity

(I'm not saying this to mock or despise you...I'm just being honest here. No insults/offence intended. Cheers)

^^

Is the Devil real?