Jesus teaches about revenge in Matthew 5:38-42. His message is not the message of the world. He does not say anything like “You are right to be angry. You should get back at him.” He also does not tell us “Just ignore them or resist and fight them. Give them nothing.”
Instead He shows us an alternate response which can really differentiate the response of Christians from that of the world. His way can show God’s love and perhaps even get the offending person to consider the value of accepting God’s word in their lives when they see how it has changed us as followers of Christ.
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’[o] 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,[p] carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”
It is very important to recognize in the context of the verse that Jesus is deliberately using examples of relatively minor offenses. A slap is not an assault. It is a sign of disrespect, but not a life threatening attack. Losing our shirt (and coat) is not the same as someone trying to steal everything God has provided for us. Carrying the soldier’s gear an extra mile is labor and may be hard, but does not have lasting detrimental impact on us.
In none of these examples are we asked to compromise our Christian belief or take actions against God’s instruction.
Jesus is simply challenging us to respond with love and patience to those who commit relatively minor offenses against us. Consider it an opportunity to show that a life dedicated to Christ is different and better than a life dedicated to the way of the world.
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