The Bible is a book of incredible complexity. Each chapter, each verse is an entire universe, impossible to ever fully grasp or understand. Whoever claims to unequivocally know the secrets of The Bible greatly exaggerating at best, and outright lying at worst.
But even though most people attempt to interpret the Bible honestly and to the best of their abilities, I believe some others willingly misinterpret certain passages, to further demonic agendas and validate backwards, twisted and toxic beliefs. These people have been very successful in making a mockery out of Christian doctrine, and they have used specific passages of The Bible to confuse believers and non-believers alike as to the true meaning and message of Christ.
As I said earlier, no one can really understand The Bible fully. I know I can’t. But there are certain passages that I’ve seen so clearly misinterpreted that it’s worth writing this article and try to offer a better, more nuanced and clearer interpretation. At the very least, I would like to present a perspective of what these passages do not mean, so as not to allow for any misuse of them in an effort to justify things that clearly go against Christianity.
1. Matthew 5:39
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.
What this verse does not mean: Let yourself be a pushover, never protect or defend yourself, be completely harmless, let other people hurt you willingly, go out of your way to be attacked, never resist an attacker, let your life and well-being be at the mercy of anyone, let people walk all over you and always be submissive to avoid confrontation, be a coward.
A better interpretation: Christ is not calling men to be incapable of violence, but rather to exercise self-control and avoid personal retaliation, for He knew how taking justice upon our own hands could lead to a never ending cycle of vengeance and death. God calls us to be slow to retaliation, and to stay in control, but another important passage that speaks about this gives us a little more insight into why:
Romans 12: 19-21: Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
What we are called to do is to trust God’s judgment over our flawed, human one. We are not the ones responsible for bringing justice into the world through our own vendettas, and a greater show of faith is simply trusting that The Lord will exercise the perfect justice when the time comes.
There is a gigantic difference between being harmless and being capable of violence and yet unwilling to retaliate to every personal offense. And that’s where the true meaning of Matthew 5:39 lies. We are to do our best to let go of personal offenses, not only because when judgment day comes we will be measured by the rod with which we measured others, but also because a human society wouldn’t be able to survive, let alone thrive, if every offense were to cause an equal retaliation.
The world is very often tough and cruel, and if every man took it upon himself to try and make his own justice, chaos would soon ensue and society would crash and burn catastrophically. The best course of action is usually just to let things slide. You simply cannot afford to take offense and retaliate to every little thing that hurts your feelings. An even stronger reason to build the thick skin required not to take offense at everything thrown your way is the fact that it is good for your soul and spirit to have that armor, and you would be doing yourself a disservice were you to be like the many men who let themselves be broken and hurt by whatever offense the world sends their way.
Here it is important to make a clear point: while we are called to “turn the other cheek” and to try not to make a big deal of personal offenses, we are not called to let others do whatever they want with us or put our well-being —or the well-being of those we love— at risk.
Some situations will call for a clear and firm response. There are times when your own safety will depend on your physical ability to push back. This is in no way incompatible with Christianity. In fact, it is completely consistent with it. Men are called to provide for and protect both themselves and their families, and that includes physical and spiritual protection from threats.
Luke 11:21: When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.
How could you protect your family and house if you don’t make an effort to become capable of doing so? A weak man won’t do this. A harmless, naive man won’t do it either.
A strong man, fully armed. This means a man who’s prepared and capable to defend and fight back in necessary —that’s what you should aim to be— not meek, not weak, as so many seem to think, but strong, yes, dangerous too if need be, and capable of violence; but also tempered, calm, collected, and unaffected by the petty offenses you might encounter in your walk through life.
2. John 14: 13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
What this verse does not mean: God does whatever you want Him to do, God is an all-powerful vending machine, become entitled and demand whatever you wish, believe that you deserve anything you want, use God’s name to further your material objectives, see Jesus as your personal butler, don’t work hard and expect things to be handed to you, use prayer just to ask for things like a bratty kid.
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