“But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt. 5:39 KJV).
Love creates a force field. People misunderstand what Jesus meant when he said turn the other cheek. We think that meant that when someone pops you on one cheek, then you are supposed to offer up your other cheek so they can pop you again. Then you stand there while they pummel you.
That is not what He is talking about at all. God doesn’t want you pummeled. So what does it mean then to turn the other cheek?
That is what Jesus did when they grabbed him to throw him off a cliff. Jesus turned the other cheek. Jesus had the authority, to call on divine help. But so do you.
I don’t know if you realize that Psalm 91 says that God would give His angels charge over you. Then in Hebrews chapter 1, the Bible says angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for us who are heirs to salvation. Then Psalm 103 said that angels hearken to the voice of the word of God.
So you have a right to call angels to help you, and Jesus had the right to call on their help as well. When He went to trial prior to His crucifixion, He told Pilot, if it were not given him, he wouldn’t have the power to hold Jesus at all. Jesus could have called a whole legion of angels and it would be over with.
With that in mind, you can see that turning the other cheek means to walk in the love of God, as He has commanded you. When you do, the same thing happens to you that happened to Jesus. That is, they either can’t find you, or there is a power preventing them from hurting you.
That power is released by love. When you walk in the love of God you are operating like God, you are operating in God and His anointing is creating a force field of protection around you.
Scripture References: Psalm 91:11; John 13:34; 14:15
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).