Dear callmeMurph. You had quite a few replies, and the one Jesus gives: " offer the other cheek" will only work if we become as loving as Jesus wants us to become . In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: The first and great Commandment is: Love thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states the fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. When someone other than a Christian hits our cheek, we immediately react with love. "Why the anger or enmity? I am sorry, but I did not mean to offend," then in nearly all cases we offered the other cheek. If the slapping man is trying to harm us, and we know that for sure, there are only two ways for us to behave: either walk/run away, or defend ourselves. But God would still prefere the peaceful and loving way. Yes, I believe that God wants us to love, rather than to fight or do worse. I say this with love, Murph, and send greetings. Emmy, your sister in Christ.