As it is true that the letter of the law is related to motivation and thoughts of the heart and mind, so is Jesus’ instructions to us to turn the other cheek when hit by an evil person (Matthew 5: 39; Luke 6: 29). The intent of the instruction is to deal with our spiritual attitude and to showcase our witness by reflecting God’s love.

Before continuing, it’s got to be noted that turning the other cheek doesn’t mean placing oneself in mortal danger. For example, God warned Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt. He wanted Jesus moved away from King Herod’s eventual slaughter of Bethlehem’s male babies who were two years old and younger. Turning the other cheek doesn’t mean pacifism, in terms of lying down and happily being walked over in the face of a criminal offense or military action.

Turning the other cheek has to do with not retaliating against the one-on-one everyday insults and hurts that come our way. The letter of the “turn the other cheek” injunction has to do with being physically hit, but the spiritual sense of the injunction is to not retaliate against hits to our dignity, liberty, and assets (Matthew 5: 40-42). In other words, the aim of the injunction is for us to desire to give up all our personal rights to not be psychically and emotionally hurt as well. Our only response should be that of blessing the offender.

Of course, that’s not natural, and that’s the point. Jesus wants us to show, with help from the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, how differently Christians think and act from the rest of the world. Turning the other cheek gives glory to God’s character by displaying the compassionate power of His peace, patience, and grace. The offender, responded to with the unexpected, might just find the gesture appealing, which can open the door to the sharing of the gospel.