How We Respond

How do we respond to others? What is our attitude when we feel insulted or offended? The instinctive reaction is to be defensive and retaliate. The Law said we should react in kind, “a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:23-24).

But Jesus taught us that we should react in a different way. We are not to strike back. “If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” If our shirt is taken, we are to “give our coat, too.” If we are asked to carry gear for a mile, we are to “carry it two miles.” As a general principle, “Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow” (Matthew 5:38-42).

Jesus went on to provide the golden rule: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12). Proverbs says much the same thing but from a slightly different perspective.

In the flesh, we might look for opportunities to pay others back for what we feel they’ve done to us. But Jesus taught that even if others act this way, we are to be different. We are to seek first God’s Kingdom and trust Him as the ultimate Judge. We are not to respond in ways we think others deserve, but in ways God wants us to – whatever would have the most impact for the Gospel.