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➡️According to the Washington Times, 81% of people that you know are too easily offended. And yet research shows that being offended can lead to stress, anxiety, low self esteem, strained relationships…and even to the point of thinking that everyone is against them.  Have you ever known a person that seemed to carry a dagger in their back pocket?  They can love you one moment and literally hate you the next (always remember the line between hero and hatred is very thin).  According to author and speaker, John Bevere, offense is the bait of Satan – because our enemy knows if he can get you offended, he’s got you.  Why?  Because at the root of offense is unforgiveness, and according to Matthew 6:14-15, if we don’t forgive others, God will not forgive us.  That’s serious!

According to the Bible, we do not have to carry any daggers and we can live free of those that do. Here’s 4 ways to not only get over offense – but to live free from being offended:

1…We all have stuff.  According to Romans 3:23, we’ve all sinned…all of us. In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus shares the story of the man who’s trying to get a piece of sawdust out of their brothers eye, while walking around with a plank in their own eye.  I can give you several stories of people who have offended me, but I can give you more stories of me offending people.  Psalm 139:23-24 is a great scripture to pray everyday, “Search my heart, God, and see if anything inside of me is offending you.”  Our offense isn’t against our brother, it’s against God. 

2…Obey God immediately.  According to Matthew 5:23-24, “If you’re at the alter and you remember your brother has something against you, go to them first and be reconciled, then come back to the alter.”  In your quiet time, when it’s just you and God, listen to his voice…and obey it.  I cannot go to everyone who doesn’t like me, or who may think I’m not doing something right, or maybe they disagree with me. But I have to go to those that God brings to my memory. I forgive, therefore I’m forgiven.

3…Let their issues be their issues.  Several years ago I had a parent get offended because she didn’t think I gave their child the attention they deserved (many moms come in the door thinking their little girl is the next Carrie Underwood) – nothing I could say or do would change anything.  She was just mad – that was years ago, and she’s probably still mad.  Romans 12:18 says, “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Many times people do not want to be reconciled; they just want to argue.  Don’t  waste your time on the opinions of others – go to them for something you did, and not for who they think you are. 

4…Forgive and forget.  Isaiah 43:25 says, “God is he who blots out our transgressions for his sake, and he will not remember our sins.”  We have to do the same.  Say this with me:  “I will not be offended – instead I will forgive them, pray for them, bless them, release them, and move on.”

In closing, listen to Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ Jesus forgave you.”

That’s the Bible and the Bible is always right!

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