In 21st Century America, we can see evil taking root and growing rapidly. Christian values are being legislated away with “gay marriage”, abortion, growing restriction on Christian expressions in the public. And Christian norms are vanishing. The number of virgins at marriage is shrinking. “Couples living together before marriage” has become accepted. So this raises the very practical question, “How do Christians combat evil?” In several direct statements, our King gives the answer:
38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Matthew 5:38–46But like many of Jesus’ statements, this doesn't make sense from the world’s point of view. “Do not resist evil.” Can Jesus actually mean that? It’s important to look at this whole passage to see the point. Let’s look more carefully to see what He is driving at.
The Law of Moses laid down “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” This was given not to encourage revenge but to limit retaliation. If someone knocks out your tooth, you don’t cut off his hand. But then Jesus goes on to say “Do not resist the one who is evil.” Turn the other cheek, give up your cloak, go two miles, give to beggars, and loan to borrowers. This sound like passivism. . .like laying down as a doormat before evil. But it is it not! We must keep reading to get the bigger picture.
“43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
The key statement is in verse 44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Notice that Jesus is not suggesting passivity. And with this statement He unveils God’s super-megaton secret weapon against evil. Paul says it like this:
“Do not be defeated by evil, but conquer evil with good.” Romans 12:21
Get that? Paul is using military terminology. “Conquer evil with good.” We think we can conquer evil with force, revenge, or retaliation. But that is quite wrong. Jesus and his servant Paul are teaching us to conquer evil with good. Let’s go back and look at Jesus’ injunctions again:
- Why should we not resist evil? Because the way you conquer it is with good, not with resistance.
- Why should we turn the other cheek to one who slaps us? Because the way you conquer evil is with good.
- Why should you give your cloak to someone who sues for your tunic? Because the way to conquer evil is with good.
- Why should you go an extra mile for the Roman soldier who can legally force you to go one? Because the way you conquer evil is with good.
- Why should you give to the beggar and loan to the requester? Because the way you conquer evil is with good.
- Why should love our enemies and pray for them? Because the way that you conquer evil with good, not with resistance.
Evil knows how to respond to retaliation and revenge because those are the very weapons that it uses. But evil is powerless against good. And an enemy may block or counter a vengeful act, but no enemy can stop you from loving him and praying for him. Evil is defenseless against good.
Is this just nice sounding theory or religious sentiment? Now look at the Lord Himself. As Jesus approaches the cross is He just being a doormat? Is He giving in to evil? Not at all! Jesus deliberately chooses the cross so “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14–15) Jesus rejects being rescued by legions of angels and sticks to His war plan. But remember how He executes His mission? On the cross, surrounded by His enemies, scoffing, ridiculing, and taunting Him, Jesus unleashes the ultimate weapon on them: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He could have called down threats and curses, but instead Jesus loves His enemies and prays for them. And that is exactly what He calls us to do!
Take note again of the specifics that Jesus gives. They are not passivity, and neither was the cross. He prescribes action: turn the cheek, give the cloak, go the second mile, give, loan, and finally love and pray for your enemies. Action, action, action! The deception is that somehow overcoming evil with good is weak and passive. It is not! It is strong, vital, active, and powerful. That is the nature of the good we see in the Son of God and the good to which He calls us in being sons of the Father. The family of God conquers evil with good. It always has and it always will, for that is the character and the grand strategy of the Living God.
