Most people have heard the expression. My interpretation is very simple, sin does not come without consequences. Sin separates us from God & gets us into trouble. Thus, stay away from things that cause you to stumble.
With that in mind, I would strongly encourage you to go back through Matthew 5, especially verses 38 through 48. This sheds some additional light on the verses from Exodus and Deuteronomy. The message is simple, we are to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. Pray for your friends and your enemies alike. When we do such things, we are showing obedience to our Father in heaven and those who seek to get a reaction from you will be curious as to why you do not return in kind.
Always remember, we are in the world, but not of the world. Jesus came and established the New Covenant by his broken body and blood so that both the Jew and the Gentile would be reconciled through His death on the cross & His resurrection. Thus, we have no excuse to be constantly thinking to ourselves when we interact with others, “Is this person’s name written in Heaven?” Never forget Matthew 5:16, where we are called to let our light shine before men so that people may see our good [fruit] and praise the Father who is in heaven. Bear good fruit & watch what happens.
Thus, as believers, I pray that we continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ and His Coming Kingdom to everyone we know. I pray that we would not be ashamed of our Faith; rather, I pray that we would boldly profess it to those who ask where our hope comes from!
Luke 21 Ministries 