OFFENSE
By Pastor Terry Thompson
Ever been offended? Did you know you can choose not to be offended! When you take offense, you are allowing someone other than yourself to shape your response. Offense comes when a breach of your territory takes place and your heart gets crushed. Learning to yield to God is the only way you will get the victory.
JAMES 4:7 – 8
7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 – Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
SPIRIT CONTROLLED RESPONSE
Your feelings are part of your soul, taking control of a runaway feeling takes an act of your spirit. Living a spiritual life is not just learning to yield to the Holy Ghost! We have to learn to give the reigns to our spirit instead of our soul. Jesus was constantly having accusations thrown at him but he knew how to address each occasion. Let us turn to the scriptures for help on this topic. Solomon was a very wise man and he gave this instruction.
DISCRETION
Proverbs 19:11 – The discretion (wisdom) of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
Ever been in a hard place and it felt like the sky tumbled down upon you? Can you remember what you said to yourself, Never again! That is the beginning of wisdom or discretion. Welcome to the school of hard knocks. If you listen and learn then you are growing.
EXASPERATION
The apostle Paul says,
Ephesians 4:26 – 27
26 – Be ye angry (exasperated), and sin (to miss the mark) not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (exasperation):
27 – Neither give place to the devil (the slanderer).
Even as Christians we get exasperated with each other but let us not forget we reap what we sow. Your attitude will determine your altitude.
Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ‘s sake hath forgiven you.”
If we want to be a witness to others, we need to show an example.
Matthew 7:12 – Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
ADDRESSING OFFENSE
If somebody repeatedly abuses our friendship, we need to address the problem.
Luke 17:3 – Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke (charge sharply) him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
DEALING WITH PRIDE
Do not let pride destroy relationships.
Proverbs 13:10 – Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 18:19 – A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
You do not need to win every argument. Pick where your values are.
Matthew 11:6. Luke 7:23 – And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
CONCLUSION
When a negative action is directed at you don’t let your soul (feelings) take control. Open up your spirit and yield to God. When peace comes, direction will come with it to tell you what to say, or what not to say to your aggressor. The right words and the right attitude will diffuse the worst attitude.
Psalms 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Love Y’all!
Keep under the spout where the glory runs out!!!