What Jesus Did! 'Turn the Other Cheek!' — Luke 6:29

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Fall Ministry Update & Donation Drive

See how God is using our shared efforts to bless people around the world.

 Read the Update
[Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others, commanding,] "If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also."
— Luke 6:29 NLT

Key Thought

This verse doesn't make sense to us if we look at it only on a human level. We don't want people to run all over us. We don't want to be doormats. We don't want folks continually taking advantage of us. Clearly, in Scripture, there comes a time to stop allowing folks to continue their evil behavior because of our fear or our being enablers. [1] On the other hand, Christians ARE to try to deescalate conflicted situations instead of "upping the ante" on destructive behavior. This submission to others should not be compliance because of fear or powerlessness. Instead, it should be a Kingdom commitment to honor God and do what he says to help bless and redeem others.

[1] Matthew 7:6, 15:26; Philippians 3:2.

Today's Prayer

Give me strength, O God, to turn the other cheek and not to be embittered. Give me courage, O God, so that I do not lose my heart or my head when others take advantage of me. Give me a generous heart, O Father, so that others can find their way to you because of my influence and behavior. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Love Is Not a Brick
Article by Rubel Shelly
Who would go first among the religions in showing honor to the other? Rubel Shelly talks about world religions, love, respect, honor, and violence.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:29 NLT — [Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others, commanding,] "If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, April 5, 2023

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Infinitely More Than We Can Imagine!'
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Death is Swallowed Up in Victory!'
"For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'To Live Is Christ' (Ph. 1:20-26)
"Dear Father, Fill us with courage so that Christ will be honored in our bodies, whether by life or by death. For us to live is Christ, to die is..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Psalm 84:12
"O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!