Learning to Turn the Other Cheek (and Turn to God)

• By candidasullivan
• October 31, 2025
• No Comments

Do you allow your anger to control you, or do you control it?

In times of anger and opposition, it can be so hard to see anything other than our rage. When emotions take over, our instinct may be to fight. And the moment we have even a single thought about retaliation, the enemy joins the battle.

He is the voice in our head pointing out the other person’s flaws and encouraging us to fight back.

The Bible, however, tells us to turn the other cheek.

Matthew 5:39 (KJV)
39 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.

So how do we turn the other cheek anyway? The only way I can do this is through prayer. In myself, I am not strong enough to turn away from the anger. I’ve always wondered what it really meant to turn the other cheek.

I believe it means to turn to God.

When we ask God to help us with the proper perspective, we can see the other person with love and compassion. When we can look beyond their faults and failures and see the person beneath the transgression, then we can pray for them and love them amid their pain.

The true battle is within me.

To be victorious, I need the mind of Christ. Sometimes all that’s needed is for me to change my thoughts about the situation. When I can take it all to the Lord, He helps me better understand the problem and instructs me on what to do about it.

Harboring anger inside me not only hurts me but also gives the enemy room to work in my life. All he needs is a tiny crack to wreak havoc. Therefore, we can’t give him any place to work.

The moment someone hurts us, we need to take it to the Lord. When we humble our hearts and pray amid our turmoil, He helps us forgive, love, and truly turn the other cheek.

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