We’ve all been offended. Think a minute about it. To be offended is when someone causes you to be upset or hurts your feelings by being rude or showing a lack of respect. It’s when a moral law has been transgressed. It’s a violation that rule you live by. Something so wrong to you it causes dislike, anger or vexation. It causes pain and discomfort. That hurt, anger or upset brings you to the point that you are insulted or outraged by the words spoken or actions taken. It’s an affront to you. It’s like a slap in your face. The words or actions of the person (or group) is not necessarily an intentional act to hurt but indicates a violation of the “victim’s” sense of what is proper or fitting. Jesus told his disciples in Luke 17:1 & Matthew 18:7 that offenses will come. In some translations they are called stumbling blocks, temptations, snares and traps to entice you to sin. Jesus said “Woe to the person through whom the offense comes.” In others words woe to the person who sets the trap for someone to fall into.
You don’t want to be the person offending others which is difficult these days but you also don’t want to take offense. It starts to harden your heart. It can cause many problems. In Hebrews 12 it says to use foresight and watch out to look after one another that no one falls back from God’s grace or fails to get God’s grace in order that no resentment, bitterness or hatred comes forth causing trouble and defiling many. Defilement is disrespect towards God. It is sin produced through a person, a community, or a nation.
When we know the TRUTH, God’s Word is truth, we can stand on it. When we face the truth about our own sin we are set free and live under God’s grace. We are to be gracious to others and be pursuers of peace but are always to speak the Truth in love. Being a believer in Jesus Christ is an offense to the world and it’s culture because we are no longer of this world.
We have been born again and are a new creation in Christ. People were very offended by Jesus when He walked on this earth and many are still today. Sometimes even in church other become offended by you but don’t concern yourself with that.The religious people in Jesus’ day couldn’t see who He was. They rejected the goodness of God working through him to help and heal people. They attributed what he was doing to the work of the devil. Religious people won’t see the goodness of God in you either. Don’t worry if they don’t. God does. Don’t become offended. Give them grace and forgiveness so you don’t fall short in God’s grace towards them.
IF you are feeling offended by some one here’s some counsel.
Realize other people’s rudeness/offensiveness is not about you. It is a reflection of their own heart and life issues. Those hardest to love need it the most.
Give people the benefit of the doubt in what they really meant. Sometimes it’s not what we say but how we say it. They might just be struggling or hurt or having a bad day.
Ask yourself WHY it offended you. Was there TRUTH in what they said? Learn from the situation.
Ask God how He sees the situation. Ask for His perspective.
Remember : You can’t please everyone and it’s not your job to!!!!
If it’s a criticism of you or a mistake you made, learn from it and KNOW YOU ARE NOT DEFINED by it.
No matter what others say and do concerning you remind yourself it is what God says about you and has done for you that defines your worth. You are valued so much He sent His Son Jesus Christ for you. That’s what matters. You are loved and valued by God.
The Bible says one of the things that will happen in the last days before Jesus comes for us is that many will be offended. Holding on to grudges, offenses and unforgiveness only lead to a hard, cold heart. The scriptures says hate, betrayal and lawlessness will abound causing love to be gone from our society and our lives. Choose not to take offense at others. Stay tender hearted forgiving others for Christ’s sake as He forgave you. Let it go. Let God show you truth about you and adjust your sails to let His breath blow into your life. It will help to give energy and forward motion to your life. He will calm your waters or He will calm you through the storm. Either way, He is with you all the way.
