#love your enemies | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

Visit Blog

Explore Tumblr blogs with no restrictions, modern design and the best experience.

Fun Fact

Tumblr has been providing a Korean-language service since 2013.

thewordfortheday · 1 month

Text

Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to “love one another,” because “by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

As a believer in Christ, your Heavenly Father says to you, "Be nice to your neighbour. . ." Our human tendency shouts, "No! I don't want to! He isn't treating me right. Still your Heavenly Father says, "Be kind to one another." In fact, He goes a step further to say, "Love one another as I have loved you." And when you ask, "Why?" He replies, "So others will see that you follow Me."

God-kind of love expects nothing in return. That was what Jesus showed to His disciples when He “poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” That is the kind of love He displayed when He went to the cross for us.

The love of Christ in the lives of believers is what sets them apart from the world.

Today, look for someone to whom you can show such unselfish love.

#love of god #love your enemies #bible verse #daily devotional #christian quotes #bible quotes #inspiration #daily devotion #christian quote #christian life #scripture #bible

206 notes · View notes

badbitchandrea · 10 months

Text

Fuck Enemies

— pairing : HOOD!MidProtective!bitchy!Stud!Riri Williams x cocky!black!fem!reader

— word count : 2.4k !!

— synopsis : y/n and riri grew up in Chicago together at the ages 8-9 but always stayed as enemies and riri never looked at her the same ever since. til one day riri texted you out of the blue trying to take you to the house party that you and her BOTH were invited to, in the pool..plus the backseat of her truck and found you cute for that one night and fucked you while drunk, but while she’s drunk she remembers more than you think. both of your minds were hazy. The next day you acted like nothing happened and acted like enemies again when actually y’all was fucking on the low and never told nobody. might as well take it to the grave, yeah? .

— warnings : Public sex, fingering ( reader receiving ) , humiliation, thigh riding, car sex , dramatic reader , blunt blowing, reader is being called out for something that’s stupid, reader has her n*pples pierced but it’s not mentioned. and I believe dats it, etc.

— taglist : @oceean @all4lovemami @pantherheart @f4t3lunts @jordisblogg @shahanaazsoumah ( I’m open to add more people! )

— authors note — just wanted to say, I stayed up until 12-1 to finish this . 🤷🏽‍♀️

• Riri

• y/n or bold white

• Lo - riri friend also

• Riri’s Boy Bestfriends

• y/n friend - vickey - bold white also ?

you were getting dressed for your friend’s house party shes throwing, it was starting a couple of minutes and you weren’t that far away. a message popped up on your phone “riri😹” you looked confused cause she never texted you. Well, not in years but how she did she text you when you blocked her?

“I’m picking you up to go to the party, be ready in 10.” was she being serious, she texted you randomly now she picking you up? Something fishy and suspicious was going on. you really thought this was a set up or riri was just being nice all out of the blue. but you went with it cause free ride, Hell yeah? so you got ready quick and fast but not that fast to the point where you felt like you rushed for no reason .

••• actually 10 minutes later

she was already outside blasting hardcore rap music, she does that on purpose because when you and her used to talk she knew that used to get on your nerves. And it still does, you got in the front seat and adjusted your sparkly dress, stuffing your bathing suit into it. “what’s in that purse.” She pulled off from Infront of your house .

“none of your business.” You gave her a rictus smile holding your purse on your lap. “I know you, no need to hide things from me.” She chuckled . “now if I had a weapon In here then I’ll be wrong right? Oh aight then.” You snapped back at her . “I got one to, I’m not worried bout that.” Riri tapped on her secret department . “you look- nice today if no one told you that” she smirked, looking down at your shoes . “Today?” You gave her a look. ”you must think you look good every day then, you better be lucky I even complimented you.” She rolled her eyes . “yeah mhm.” you said in guilt .

you and her talked the whole ride their and actually had some good conversations, but that didn’t change anything. but she did open the door for you like she WAS your girlfriend . you and her walked in together and your friend spotted you and her thinking you and riri squashed everything that has been going on for 10 years but eventually you and her went yall seperate ways going to hang out with other people. some people were there before it even started but you were only 2 minutes late because of riri ! “Soo what’s going on with you and ri..” she grinned sipping on her straw .

“Don’t play wit me vickey” you nudged vickey’s shoulder . “I’m just playing im just playing, but forreal are you and her you know…” she whispered the last parts. “nah, she just randomly texted me she was gon ride me here out of the blue.” “hmm, seem like some freaky shit going on.”

She shrugged and walked off to get more of her drink. after she walked off you turned your head to see where riri went, she went to go sit with her home boys and a one girl was sitting right next to her but she was already eyeing you when you turned that way with the joint in her mouth .

she looked away smiling putting down the blunt and laid back on the couch . you didn’t mind her hanging out with other people y’all don’t even talk anyway, right? . “Hey y/n , come here!” One of riri’s friends called out for you . You rolled your eyes walking over there, riri did the same . but you can tell in her face she slowly is starting to enjoy you being around . “wassup.” You tapped on his shoulder. “come have a sit.” He grinned looking up at riri, he knew riri and you were beefing at the time but obviously he didn’t care. “so what’s going on with you and riri.”

He puts down the blunt smacking the ashes off of his hands onto his pants . “no comment.” You pursed your lips nodding slowly. everyone’s eyes were on you making you feel uncomfortable and uneasy. “what? I only said no comment, it ain’t shit to talk about.” the girl that was next to riri had her hand right on her spot, side eyeing you. “you scared to tell us what happened, like?” you could tell she was getting smart because some of the boys were trying to hold in their laugh including her .

but the only two people that weren’t laughing were you and riri. Because nothing is funny when you disrespect somebody you haven’t even got to know yet . “bitch what?” the look on your face was so serious and she wouldn’t take it serious . “Oh I’m sorry I didn’t know that would’ve offended you.”

She said trying to be sarcastic. you expected riri to say something but y’all were ‘beefing’ at the time, and the look on her face you could tell she was high or drunk. but she just sat there letting her talk and talk. You were just about to get up to leave until your heard riri’s voice speak up. “Lo shut up talking to her like that, come on now.” She nudged her shoulder with her hand . “thank you ri, get these bitches in line.” You got up and walked towards the back of the house where you friends were.

— riris pov

“Lo! whyyy? You talk to fucking much you made the girl and everything.” she gave her a stank face . then looked up waiting for her boy best friends to response also. “Forreal-” riri cut off her friend by her getting up and eyeing Lo and her boy best friends, she was getting up to see where you were to make sure you were okay. “Have you seen y/n.” Riri was asking your close friends where you were until she saw you talking to your bestfriend and her brothers . you was just watching you have a good time talking to new people and not starting no drama . She was just about to walk up to you til your other friend got in the way right In front of you, Riri knew you sensed someone presence behind you, which it was her .

•••

“Hol on vickey, I’ll be right back.” You followed Riri with her holding your hand leading you to a more private spot “did you bring any swim clothes?” that was a random question but yes you did bring one because you knew it was a pool in the backyard . “Uhm yes I did..” “okay good, change and I’ll meet you in the pool.”

5 minutes later both of you were dressed in y’all’s bathing suits but she had on trunks and a white plain sleeve-less shirt and tied her braids in a buns in the back of her head . you had a 3 piece on showing your belly button with a sparkly skirt piece hanging on the side you put your braids up in a bun just like riri did . you were moving your arms in the water while waiting for riri, she walked into the pool from the steps to you .

“I’m sorry for what happened.” Riri apologized . “It’s okay just tell that bitch to not talk to me.” You smiled “I gotchu” she laughed and you laughed along with her . Riri looked away smiling before she said something else, she used to always do this when she was up to something .

You were quite scared of what she was finna say because she always up to some bullshit especially when she’s high or drunk. She swayed towards you causing you to back up against the pool’s wall, making you grunt. you were so lucky nobody was in that pool or outside in the back yard no where, but you two and the speakers playing music .”you’ve ever been fucked in a pool before..”

she tilted her head slowly waiting for your response, blinking slowly. making you gulp deeply and loudly eyes getting wider knowing what she’s about to do next . “riri? I don’t- think we should be doing this..uhm” you questioned her, smiling awkwardly then pursing your lips. feeling her hands rub against you so softly and lovely just felt like you were on cloud 9 but without being high at all. “you like that, don’t chu?.”

she whispered in your right ear having a good grip around your waist making you arch your back like a cat . she came up by your mouth kissing you cupping your cheekbones with one hand and the other in your bottoms . the tingles were shooting straight through you, your emotions were everywhere you wanted to touch her so bad.

but riri was in control now. you felt 2 fingers glide into you making you gasp and pull away from the strong sloppy kiss “fuck!” a finger came to your mouth, riri’s finger telling you to shush. But you couldn’t handle it.

you were being fucked like this in a silent and huge pool by your enemie riri williams, who could’ve thought. she was very good with her hands she was curving into your inner walls she kept pushing against the sponge texture inside of you making you shake and bite your finger to keep quiet . “p-please.” you whimpered throwing your heard almost giving yourself whiplash . “please what y/n.”

She said staring into your eyes with her blood shot ones . “more.” You couldn’t even get a proper sentence out by all of the pleasure then she hit your g-spot making you jerk “mhmm, oh fuck I’m-” your facial expressions said it all, you were coming but it washed away on riris wet and wrinkled fingers .

“that’s my girl, you were so good mami.” She smiled kissing your forehead . “let’s take this to my car, yeah?” She got out of the pool helping you get to the stairs holding your hand grabbing your purse so she doesn’t forget it, and brung it to the car .

you and her ran across the street hurrying to open up the back door . She fixed her car so she only has to say car tint but she was so high on sex she didn’t even say car tint so you weren’t surprised if someone walked pasted and saw you getting fucked in the backseat of a truck . “take this off.” She tugged at your bottoms, she didn’t care for the top but the bottoms so she can have more access and view .

“she’s so pretty and wet isn’t sheee..?” Riri complimented your slickness and view . She stared at your pussy admiring her beauty she played with your clit also playing with the slickness from it stretching it across her fingers then sucking her fingers. Just by the taste and sight it made both of you moan.

Your legs were stretched across this seat waiting for riris next move . she lowered her head to yours kissing you once again rubbing your swollen and puffy clit pushing her knee at your wet and throbbing hole putting pressure in that certain spot making you move backwards trying to escape, just by her rapidly rubbing your clit at a dangerous speed . “shitt—” you closed your eyes tears staining your face from all of this over whelming pleasure she was giving you “don’t run now precious .”

then she stopped making you confused but you were to weak to move your head to see what she was doing. she was lowering her head and moving you upward some more so she has space . She licked your clit and cunt clean making you hiss by her stinging touch “mhm.” You gripped at her braids making her grunt follow along with your whined out moans . “oh my- riri!” She slipped some of the tip of her tongue inside of you making you moan more louder than the first time . “you taste so sweet mi amor” the name mi Amor from riris mouth would do it to you all the time .

“you close?.” She asked you, rubbing on your inner thigh Kind of muffled . you heard her but stuttered in your answered and Riri expects fast responses “I asked you a question y/n.” She sent a harsh smack to your ass making you answer with quickness “y-yes.” You nodded fast. the last tongue fuck and finger fuck she did to you caused you to explode onto her backseat she licked you clean once again, giving you kisses all down your stomach. to your lips to your waist line . Soft satisfied moans leaving your lips from her soft and sweet touch.

••• next day ..!

you woke up in the bed hair looking crazy and makeup all over your pillow case. “oh my fucking god bro.” You groaned because you literally just washed your sheets and pillow case the day before last night You checked your phone to see what time it was, instead of you looking straight at the time you saw a “The Shade Room.” Post with you @ed in it curiousity got to you and you put in your password and went to Instagram and you clicked on the notification in your inbox and you were spotted in the pool and car with riri together, who the fuck took those pictures? .

Instagram - TheShadeRoom

caption - they got down and dirty, no tints!! #woah #wow #thisissomerealshit!

“oh you gotta be fucking kidding me.” you were groaning in annoyance. Thinking about who to call. Riri? but you forgot her phone number was blocked. So you unblocked her of course to get to the bottom of this but she didn’t answer until your friend, Vickey called you. “girl..you and Riri are on the shade room! That’s why you and her were outside I was looking all over for you.” “please, I don’t wanna talk anymore or at all I’m pissed and tired. I haven’t even got a good morning start plus look-“ you pointed at your messy ass puff ball on your head it was fuzzy and frizzy all over the place makeup smeared on the case and on the side of your face. “well, okay I hope you’re okay! Call me back when you get yourself together okay? love you boo.” you said love you back and hung up the phone. This was the most shittest morning ever . You haven’t even got up to take a shower yet or brushed your teeth you woke up to be on the shade room with your WORST enemie. Legs we’re shore and you were weak so you fell back asleep thinking everything would go away, when everything got worse. you woke up to a loud call by riri, what does she want now..?

Maybe not doing no Part 2

#riri smut #riri x you #love your enemies #riri wiliams x reader #house party .

267 notes · View notes

tabernacleheart · 8 months

Text

Sinners are more severe to sinners than good men are; when a man’s own conscience is lashing him, he will assume a sterner aspect towards the same, or any other sin, in another person. The holier a person grows, the more tender and the more sympathetic he is with [sinners. Like] Christ, [his] desire all along [is] to bring [the sinner] into a state of salvation. [For] as a necessary step to salvation, [Christ] desired to convince [us] all of sin, [but] to save [each man's] soul was evidently our Lord's one thought.

Rev. James Vaughan

#Rev. James Vaughan #Mercy #Sin #forgiveness #Imitate Christ #humility #holiness #Gentleness #Hope #every saint has a past and every sinner has a future #do unto others as you would have then do unto you #love your enemies

167 notes · View notes

momentsbeforemass · 10 months

Text

Not fit to hate

People ask where I get the stuff that I write about.

I pray with the daily Mass readings. Then I read commentaries. Mostly InterVarsity’s “Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture.”

The series gives you a few sentences to a paragraph on each verse. That someone wrote during the first 500+ years of the Church.

Maybe from someone famous, or someone not so famous. Sometimes nobody knows who wrote it. But always the good stuff, stuff that’s stood the test of time.

Like this one, on today’s Gospel (where Jesus says to “love your enemies”). It’s an anonymous work* from the 5th century, that reads like it was written this morning.

“I think that Christ ordered these things [to love our enemies] not so much for our enemies as for us: not because our enemies are fit to be loved by others, but because we are not fit to hate anyone.

For hatred is the prodigy of dark places. Wherever it resides, it sullies the beauty of sound sense.

Therefore, not only does Christ order us to love our enemies for the sake of cherishing them, but also for the sake of driving away from ourselves what is bad for us.

If you hate [your enemy], you have hurt yourself more in spirit than you have hurt him in the flesh.

Perhaps you don��t harm him at all by hating him. But you surely tear yourself apart. If then you are benevolent to an enemy, you have spared yourself rather than him.”

(* Known as the Incomplete Work on Matthew, St. Thomas Aquinas was so fond of it that he once said that he would rather have the complete work than be mayor of Paris.)

Today’s Readings

#Hate #Love your enemies #God #Jesus #Catholic #Christian #Church #Not fit to hate #Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture #Matthew #St. Thomas Aquinas #Moments Before Mass

190 notes · View notes

storyideas4u · 1 year

Text

villain x hero troupe

“you know it’s kinda funny how i managed to kidnap you so easily.” the villain spoke, ending with a laugh. the hero grunted, sick of the games the villain always plays.

“my teammates will come for me soon and then we’ll all defeat you.” this only made the villain laugh more.

“yeah yeah, keep dreamin’ bud.” the villain then left the room, leaving the hero there trying to break through the restraints.

-few days later-

the villain started to feel pity on the hero. none of the hero’s alleged “teammates” showed up to help them. the villain came up with a quick plan.

walking into the room, the villain could see the hero moping in their own pity. it was a hard watch for the fearless villain. the hero’s head shot up at noticing the villain waltzing into the room.

“what do you want?” the hero sneered. the villain then went over to the hero and crouched down just enough so both of there faces were at the same height. the villain only grinned.

pulling the hero’s face into theirs, the villain deeply kissed the hero. the hero was in shook, but after a few seconds, kissed back. the moment only lasted a few minutes, but it was the longest few minutes in both of their lives.

the villain eventually pulled away with another smirk, then immediately left the room. after the villain left, the hero just realized something was in their mouth. they spit it out to reveal a key, but not just any key, a key to get out.

the villain had kissed them and gave them the key to escape. wow, what a day.

148 notes · View notes

akabanerio · 2 months

Text

Zuko: I truly go into housewife mode when I'm someone's soulmate- like, I'll make you pancakes and bacon every morning.

Katara: This is a lie.

Katara: I'm literally dating him. This is a lie.

Katara: HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO COOK A PANCAKE OR MAKE TEA- TEA????

#katara #zuko x katara #katara atla #atla zuko #atla #atla fanart #atla fanfic #love your enemies #enemies to soulmates #enemies to friends trope #enemies to lovers #prince zuko #avatar katara #incorrect avatar the last airbender quotes #avatar incorrect quotes #avatar zuko #avatar the legend of aang

30 notes · View notes

thedollybombshell · 7 months

Text

Favorite Self-Care

⚝ EAT YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL

⚝ TRY BUBBLE BATH

⚝ TRAVEL

⚝ WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE/SHOW

⚝ SHOPPING

⚝ SKIN CARE

#skincare #bubble bath #travel #makeup #books #walk out #only good vibes #love your life #love yourself #love your skin #love yourselves #love your soul #love you <3 #love your enemies #love your flaws #love your body #self care #hairstyle

22 notes · View notes

thewordfortheday · 7 months

Text

THE WORD FOR 11/9

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Lord, I know I don’t have the strength to love like this. Father God, I know You are Love, You give me the capacity to love, and Your Son, Jesus Christ loved us to the very end and died for us on the cross of Calvary. Let me love like You love us. Teach me to love those that are unlovable. Holy Spirit pour the love of Jesus into my heart. Help me Lord to walk in love each day. In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.

#bible verse #daily devotional #christian quotes #bible quotes #inspiration #daily devotion #christian quote #christian life #scripture #bible #love of god #love your enemies

209 notes · View notes

tabernacleheart · 9 months

Text

Whoever will not love his enemies cannot know the Lord and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us to love our enemies in such a way that we pity their souls as if they were our own children.

Saint Silouan the Athonite

#love your enemies #Saint Silouan the Athonite #true christianity #unconditional love #forgiveness #orthodoxy #god the holy spirit

38 notes · View notes

theinwardlight · 2 years

Photo

From God’s Revolution: Justice, Community, and the Coming Kingdom, by Eberhard Arnold, theologian and founder of the Bruderhof

#pacifism #peacemaking #love #christian #eberhard arnold #bruderhof #anabaptist #holy spirit #peace #no more war #love your enemies #quaker

343 notes · View notes

corujalesbica · 1 year

Text

Sword battles and kisses

Wenclair fanfic!

It was a cold day and the sky was clouded, much to Wednesday's enjoyment. When she left the castle that morning she thought to herself 'what a beautiful day'. And it would have been, if not for princess Biancas presence to anoy her.

"General Addams. I see that you are once again, not ready for battle yet."

" Your majesty. I see that you are once again thinking I take orders from you rather then the queen, who has no problem with that."

Bianca then made a sour face but left. The general then, gathered her soldiers, all of course, dressed in black armor as she requested. They were going to embush the enemy in a cave that was presumed to be their hide out, not too far away from there. The childish chi chat that was going on immediately stopped when Wednesday entered the room. The soldiers seemed to be terrified of her, which almost made her smile.

She didn't say much, they didn't need to hear it and nor would she fool them with unreal expectations or false hope. The army then stormed out the castle and, with the horses and carriages being ready, parted heading to danger and most likely a bloodbath. That is, all the things Wednesday loved.

Three days later, they were mere hours away from said cave. When there, Wednesday could hear people talking and laughing. 'Dumbasses' she thought. They would die partying because of their lack of preparation for the upcoming battle. The girl almost wished they were smarter. Little did she know what was bound to happen that night.

They waited until nightfall to attack. The general placed her best warriors in strategic places. When the moon was high in the sky, she entered the cave like it was hers in the first place. All eyes turned to her dark armor and raised chin, looking through her perfectly done braids that rested behind a black mask, which covered her whole face. A girl in golden armor with blonde hair was standing in front of the other soldiers. A second passed, recognition flashing through the other girls eyes, before all hell broke loose.

In a moment, all of their soldiers were screaming at the top of their lungs, coming at her. Leading them, the blonde girl came with surprising speed and strength. Wednesday, unimpressed, simply snaped her fingers twice, the signal for her warriors to blow the canon , trapping the enemy inside and possibly killing them. But the girl, at the caves entry , hadn't realized there was a hole in the ground there, probably leading to a much deeper cave. So when the canons blew, General Addams was just defending the first blow from the other generals sword. The plan worked, and all of the people who were inside the cave remained unharmed, but trapped there. All except for Wednesday and the blonde warrior, who fell into the hole with the small earthquake the explosion caused.

When the Addams woke up she had a massive headache and could see almost nothing in the darkness. Used to training with the lights off (which she thought was fun) she managed to stay up and soon realized blond girl was still knocked out. Preparing her knife and her murder mood she approached the girl, who then woke up, quickly realizing what happened and standing up.

Wednesday threw her knife away, getting her sword ready and making sure to attack first. Blondie defended with her own sword and started fighting almost as well as the general herself. Almost. She was just as intense, but the Addams was quicker, and deadlier. The girl soon realized this, and with a final hit, ran away.

Wednesday, a bit annoyed, chased her into the deeps of the cave, being able to see less and less with each step she took. But to her surprise she suddenly heard a sound from where the general had ran to. A roar bloodthirsty and ancient. A know sound to her, a familiar one.

When she got there she encountered a giant wolf, ready to destroy her. Having no other option, she summoned her own powers, a purple cloud of magic circling them. Her head turned to the ceiling abruptly and her eyes turned the darkest shade of gray.

The wolf then calmed down and turned into a girl, more specifically the blonde general. Enid Sinclair. She took the cape she was wearing before and rapidly covered her naked body. Wednesday looked, a single tear running through her cheek. Enid then run, this time towards her, and hugged her.

If only had she know her so called enemy was an outcast too. And not any outcast for that matter, but her. Long ago, when there was no war to fight the outcasts of both kingdoms went to Nevermore, but the school was destroyed two years after they graduated. There, Wednesday had an annoying, lovable, weird girl for a roommate . The girl had never met anyone as stubborn as her before, but there Enid was, accepting no less than what she deserved, all while being understanding and kind.

Having loved dark souls like hers and even monsters before, the Addams never understood how she could fall for such a sweet and colorful person. But Sinclair stole her heart, methaphorachily speaking, and gave hers to Wednesday, which no other had done before.

They were too scared to remain in contact once the war begun, but promise to come back to each other. They never did. And now there they were, hugging and then kissing like there was no tomorrow. Like there was no war, no blood on the floor, no tears shed by both sides.

After all that time apart, Enid's skin felt soft as ever to Wednesday, though the girl was bruised and dirty. As she held her lovers face she, for once, didn't think about tomorrow. They could run, they could hide. They could stay where they were. It didn't matter. She saw the reflection of her eyes on her sword on the ground, and they shined like she was a little girl solving a murder mystery.

_________

Thank u for reading this (seriously u r amazing if u read this ) also English is not my first language so I'm sorry for any mistakes. Hope yall enjoyed it :)

51 notes · View notes

walkswithmyfather · 9 months

Text

“Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” —Luke 6:29-31 (NASB1995)

“Turn the Other Cheek” By In Touch Ministries:

“In conflict-laden circumstances, the Holy Spirit will guide us to a God-honoring response.”

“Today’s passage contains a verse that confuses many Christians: “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also” (v. 29). Are we to stand still while someone beats us up physically or emotionally? No. But we also are not to “repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing” (1 Pet. 3:9 NIV).

John 18:21-23 offers some insight about how to apply these instructions. When Jesus was interrogated by the high priest and provided an “unsatisfactory” answer, one of the officials struck Him in the face. Instead of offering His other cheek to be slapped, Jesus calmly challenged the man’s unjust action. The Lord did not defend Himself or retaliate, but He also refused to accept mistreatment unquestioningly, even though He knew He would receive more.

How can we follow Jesus’ example? What does a righteous response look like? It really depends on the situation. We may need to ignore the other person’s actions, walk away from the abuse, or confront them. The only way to know the most respectful, Christlike choice in each circumstance is by yielding to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

It’s not easy to turn the other cheek, but we have a Companion to help us figure out how. Take a moment to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.”