The familiar phrase turn the other cheek is often misinterpreted as a call for complete non-resistance to evil or mistreatment. This teaching, delivered during the Sermon on the Mount, was actually part of Jesus's larger message about God's perfect standard of righteousness. The original eye for an eye law was meant to limit retaliation, but Jesus elevated the concept to demonstrate the impossibility of achieving divine standards through human effort alone.

Rather than being a practical instruction manual, these teachings serve to highlight humanity's need for grace and point to Christ as the perfect fulfillment of God's standards. Christians are called to respond to mistreatment with wisdom and discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit. This includes living peaceably when possible, leaving vengeance to God, and responding to evil with good - all while maintaining appropriate boundaries and standing boldly for truth.