Have you ever heard somebody say, “I don’t get mad. I get even.” You see, inside the fallen human heart is this intense desire to retaliate and get somebody back when we have been wronged. You might even quote the Bible and say, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”

But revenge doesn’t make the situation better. It doesn’t even make you feel better. Somebody once said, “Revenge is always sweet, but it’s aftertaste is bitter.” No, instead of getting even, Jesus says one way to make the situation better is to shame them with nonretaliation and kindness. If someone slaps your right cheek, turn to them your left cheek. If someone takes your shirt in court, give them your coat as well. If somebody coerces you to go a mile, go two miles. You see, your refusal to retaliate along with showing them kindness will heap up shame on their head and will bring about the change you desire.

Change begins in you!