Resist Not Evil

2/23/2025

Matthew 5:39 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.

Christ Jesus came to teach love, and part of loving each other is releasing our desire to seek revenge. He taught his disciples this lesson, just as he continues to teach us today through his written words, and spiritual connection with our souls.

The phrase "Resist not evil" has always been a profound challenge to wrap my head around. At first glance, it might seem like a call to passivity or weakness, but there is a deeper strength embedded in this teaching.

In a world obsessed with retaliation and getting even, choosing not to resist evil is a radical act of courage. It is not about letting injustice slide or ignoring wrongdoing. When we retaliate, we become mirrors of the very evil we despise. But when we respond with grace and God’s love, we become catalysts for change.

People will wrong us, spread rumors, undermine us at work, or betray our trust. Our ego’s reaction is to strike back; to make them feel the hurt they have caused us. But what if we chose a different path? By not resisting, we are not admitting defeat; we are rising above the pettiness. We are saying, “I will not let your actions dictate mine. I choose a higher ground.”

In our opening Bible verse, we are told to resist not evil. Some translations say, “Do not resist an evil person.” But in this case, I think the King James version is closer to the meaning Jesus intended.  When Jesus says, “Do not resist evil,” he is revealing God’s heart for how we are to treat those who harm us – we are to adopt an attitude of humility and seek to be peaceful with those who have wronged us. We are to love them.

By saying, “Do not resist evil,” Jesus is not requiring us to be pacifists or to never resist evil forces. In fact, James 4:7 tells us - So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. If someone is threatened or attacked, it is not wrong to take up a defense or to seek appropriate justice against the wrongdoer. When Jesus commands us not to resist evil, he means to not retaliate. He means to resist from expressing any evil within our self. We do not respond in kind, and we do not try to “get even.” When the offense is but a personal slight, we can ignore it altogether. Much of the evil we are resisting is from within.

Anger and hatred create a loss of spiritual energy to those who display it; those feelings weaken us. It is our focused attention and worry over evil that fuels it. So, fighting it is not helpful. As we experience our thoughts, we choose our focus. Our goal is to focus on positive loving thoughts and not to focus on negative, evil, or hateful thoughts. We know that they have no power over us except what we allow, and when we struggle with them, we empower them with our fear. If we are not afraid of them, there is no conflict. They simply float by like a dark cloud, and we realize the sun is still behind that cloud, so we ignore its darkness.

Christ calls us to break the cycle of vengeance. This is not to say that injustice should go unchallenged or that we should allow ourselves to be abused, but it is an invitation to resist the temptation to meet evil with more evil. Throughout his life, Jesus exemplified this teaching. In the face of betrayal, mockery, and even crucifixion, he did not retaliate. When he was struck on the cheek by a guard in John 18:22, he did not fight back. When the Roman soldiers mocked him and placed a crown of thorns on his head, he did not resist.

In 1 Peter 2:23, it is written, “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” Jesus placed His trust in God, knowing that ultimate justice belongs to Him. He chose to endure evil and rise above it, rather than return it. This act of non-resistance was not about weakness but about strength. Jesus displayed the strength to overcome the circumstances, to refuse to be drawn into the same hateful cycle that had ensnared the world.

Rather than resisting evil, Jesus calls us to actively respond with good. Romans 12:21 says, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” This response is transformative. It is not simply about being passive in the face of evil but actively doing good in response to harm.

Jesus’ teaching shows us that when we refuse to retaliate with violence, when we choose love over hatred, when we bless those who curse us, when we love our enemies, we begin to mirror the character of God Himself. God is love, and he calls us to reflect that love even in the most challenging circumstances.

Know that our enemies can take many forms, not just people, but situations, habits, addictions, thought patterns, and biases. They include lust, greed, delusion, jealousy, that whisper from the ego of self-loathing and narcissism. We do not retaliate when we see them but love them. Thank them for their attempt to help and ask them to let us lead. Then we can fill our hearts and minds with self-love. “I am enough. I am loved just as I am.”

We are promised that when we choose this path of non-resistance, we will be blessed. In Matthew 5:10 we are told, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” When we choose to follow Jesus’ example, we participate in the life of the kingdom of God, where justice and peace reign, and where evil is overcome by the power of love.

We can integrate these principles into our lives by beginning with embracing forgiveness as a strength. When someone wrongs us—be it a harsh word, betrayal, or injustice, instead of retaliating or harboring resentment, we can choose forgiveness, recognizing that it liberates us from the burden of anger. Forgiveness is not about excusing harmful behavior; it is about freeing ourselves from the control that negative actions of others have over our emotions and well-being. It liberates us from victimhood and empowers us to dictate our own responses. This applies to forgiving ourselves.

We can begin responding to negativity with compassion. The rudeness or aggression we encounter, whether in traffic, online interactions, or personal relationships, offers us an opportunity to break the cycle of negativity by responding kindly. Compassionate responses can diffuse tension and often disarm the offending party. It is a conscious choice not to mirror the negativity we encounter, thereby fostering a more understanding environment. This applies to self-love and compassion.

We do not have to accept mistreatment but we can set restrictions with love and grace. We can establish clear personal limitations kindly yet firmly, without aggression or hostility. Healthy boundaries protect our well-being while respecting others. It is possible to assert our needs without perpetuating negativity.

When Spirit calls us to it, we can engage in peaceful advocacy at an individual or social level. When facing systemic injustices, we can participate in nonviolent protests, community organizing, or awareness campaigns that promote change without resorting to aggression. History shows that peaceful movements—like those led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi—can enact significant social change. They highlight injustices while maintaining moral high ground.

In conclusion, Jesus’ command to "resist not evil" is not an invitation to become doormats or to allow injustice to go unchecked. So, it is my prayer that we joyously answer God’s higher calling to reject the cycle of retaliation, to trust in Him with matters of justice, and to respond to evil with the powerful force of love and forgiveness. In this way, we demonstrate that we belong to a different kingdom, not of the world, but of God, where the last are first, and love triumphs over hate.