Retaliation
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. Matthew 5:38-40
Are we supposed to be timid and passive? The same Jesus that said this also told his disciples to take a sword with them.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Luke 22:36
Jesus knew life would be hard for his disciples after he was gone, and that evil people would come against them, so they needed to be ready to defend themselves. We are there now. We live in such a vile world where people seem to have no conscience and will come after you for little or no reason, especially a Christ-follower. I think the verses in Matthew are for minor discretions; otherwise, why would he then later tell them to bring a sword? Something that takes away life, or devastates your family, deserves to be taken under the legal process to determine the guilt or innocence of the perpetrator.
There are things we can and should let go of, but other, more delicate issues need to be sorted out in a court of law.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
