Have you ever been offended? This emotion and state of being is so common and prevalent today. It just seems that most people today are very easily offended, even because of things that in reality are just simple misunderstandings. Can I say with all due respect that if offense is continually controlling a person, that person is not spiritually mature. We are commanded to forgive and not allow offenses to remain among us. We are instructed to lovingly confront issues that would divide us. The Proverbist said this about offense: Proverbs 19:11 (AMP) “Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].” Spiritually mature believers learn to be “slow to anger.” They realize that no one on this side of Heaven is perfect, so we will experience disagreements and disappointments from time to time. However, if you do not learn to discern these moments, they can turn into opportunities to be offended. The Proverbist also said that it is to a man’s glory to overlook transgressions or offenses without seeking revenge and harboring resentment. WOW! Did you catch that? Most will immediately get angry and seek revenge or get offended. Yet, the spiritually mature refuse to allow offense into their hearts, thus not allowing any “root of bitterness” to spring up within them. This can be catastrophic because roots of bitterness can destroy relationships. They can defile our walk with God. They can paralyze our fruitfulness. Hebrews 12:15 says: “Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. Make sure you don’t live with a root of bitterness sprouting within you which will only cause trouble and poison your heart and the heart of others. Determine today to work on your forgiveness muscles today and become “unoffendable.” You will bring Glory to God and you will be a healer and restorer in your generation!
Acts 24:16 “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men”
