Turn the other cheek?

Question

Christianity teaches us to turn the other cheek,but I have found this only gives the enemy a better opportunity to bring even more harm on you.Is this weakness in Christianity?

Answer 1

This is a strength.

Perceiving it as a weakness is the result of your misunderstanding reality.

Jesus asked us to love or enemy's. Turning the other cheek is the only possible option if we are actually trying to do this.

Love and blessings don

Answer 2

I don't want to offend anyone, so please forgive me if this offends you.

I think the rule is very nice, but as someone posted I think it doesn't mean you should not stop bad people/behavior e.t.c. But I think you are referring to the West and confusing Christianity with the Western governments. The governments of the West have not really turned the other cheek for a long time now, whether it be massacres in Jerusalem or "Pre-emptive" strikes now. Whether it be going to a war without the worlds approval or putting dictators in oil rich countries. The list goes on. So I think these governments should better study and follow the true principals of Christianity and probably the world would be a better place.

Answer 3

When Jesus told us to "turn the other cheek" he is telling us to not fight back when an enemy hurts us, physically and otherwise. Some say this is a weakness but this is really a great strength in Christianity because instead of searching for revenge and vengeance, we strive to pray for and love our enemies, against the typical cultural expectation.

Answer 4

Contrary to what many believe, Jesus words about turning the other cheek after someone hits you on the right cheek actually deals with personal insults and not with acts of violence or force,it should be read as, when someone insults you be ready to indure another insult, you have the right to defend yourself and your loved ones against harm and physical danger.

Answer 5

How often in this day and age does a Christian have to "physically" turn the other cheek for a pummeling? No, this is to be our attitude towards people who mean us harm, and if it should come down to the physical side of it, well, then that's what we're to do......"for in doing so we are heaping coals of fire on their heads".

In other words, burn them with kindness.

Answer 6

We are to avoid violence whenever possible. It may mean that we suffer more, but nonviolence can be very powerful. It really depends on the situation. Sometimes violence is necessary, if someone is seriously trying to hurt or kill you, you have a right to defend yourself.

Remember, in Jesus' day, they spoke in extremes to make points. So, saying to turn the other cheek doesn't mean you have to take abuse, it means that you should defend yourself and don't do anything to escalate the violence.

Answer 7

Christianity also teaches "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". For any 'guidance' in the bible, you can almost always find opposing counsel, so that anyone can support almost any opinion they have by quoting the appropriate verses. This is, in great part, what makes it such a successful book!

Answer 8

Its a common misunderstanding that if you are a christian you should be weak hearted and wimpy. Turning the other cheek is about forgiveness...about letting things go and not becoming bitter, it does not mean you should just allow yourself to be abused

Answer 9

No because it's empty words. It's just symbolic rhetoric like when Christians say you should love you enemies or when Muslims say that Islam is a religion of peace.

Answer 10

This is for the individual, not countries. Say you talk crap to me, this tells me to ignore you, same as if you brush past me. Now if you are threatening my life, I can defend myself. It is "Turn the other cheek" not 'Cut my head off for the enemy".