Letting Go of Offenses

Letting Go of Offenses

Most of the time people get offended over petty issues. Song of Solomon 2:15 states that it is "...the little foxes that spoil the vines." As hard as it is to believe, churches have actually been split over petty issues like the color of the carpet or the type of hymnals to purchase. People can get offended over such trivial issues that hold absolutely no significance to the overall scope of life.



It's time that the Body of Christ grows up and stops allowing unimportant matters to hurt and offend them. Think about it. You could be spending your time growing in the Word of God, instead of arguing over the color of the choir robes or the placement of the flag.



Some time ago, I conducted a wedding rehearsal where the mothers of the bride and groom got into a fistfight over where I was supposed to stand. They had both been holding their grandbabies, then suddenly handed them over to somebody else and squared off. They ended up on the floor, poking each other in the face. And in my infinite wisdom, I let them fight it out until they were done.



Is it any wonder why people are sick, in financial trouble, or have problems with family? Could it be possible that offense is preventing the blessing of God?



I knew one man who was continually offended at his wife. He refused to release the offense because many of his conversations revolved around her and how bad she treated him. He would even get mad at her when she treated him nice because it didn't give him anything to complain about.



There are actually people who feel that they would lose their identity if they released their offense. They have become so accustomed to their life centering around a wrongdoing that if they let it go, then they wouldn't have anything to talk about. Remember what Philippians 4:8 says: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things."



The Greek word for meditate in this verse means, "to mutter softly over your lips." Therefore, according to this verse, not only are you to think about good things but also mutter good things. So you must quit thinking and speaking about offense and the things that push your buttons. Refuse to talk about what makes you angry because doing so is in direct disobedience and rebellion to the Word of God.



First Samuel 15:23 clearly states, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." Disobedience and rebellion toward God each give place to other sins. When you are offended and you refuse to let it go, you are simply being rebellious and stubborn.



I have heard people say, "I know I'm not supposed to say this and I should forgive this person, but let me tell you what happened." By the very words spoken from their own mouth they admit: "I know the Word of God says I shouldn't be saying or thinking this, but it feels so good that I'm going to do it anyway." Consequently, they have chosen to live by their feelings instead of living by faith in God's Word. However, in order to grow and increase in life, you must obey the Word of God in spite of your feelings.



You may be wondering if it is possible to live by faith and not your feelings. Yes, it is possible. You can do so by the grace of God that enables you to do the impossible. Hebrews 12:15 says, "Looking carefully, lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled."



Grace is available to anyone who will partake of it. However, whenever you fall short of God's grace, a root of bitterness can take hold which, according to this verse, will cause a tremendous amount of trouble. And despite what some might think, it doesn't just cause trouble for the person who is bitter. Instead, it causes trouble for everyone around them as well. Notice that the Word says, "...many become defiled."



Most of the time, people with a root of bitterness don't recognize it in themselves. It's like the person who has bad breath or body odor in a room full of people. Although they really smell bad, they don't know it. A root of bitterness can be seen by others, but not always by the one who is defiled by it. Many times these same people wonder why they don't have friends, but all that comes out of their mouth is gossip, revenge, envy, and strife.



Some people think they can pray and ask God to take the offense from their heart, but it won't help. God has given you the authority to resist temptation and sin. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." So when someone says they can't help being angry and bitter, they are not telling the truth. God's Word says you resist the devil and he will flee.



Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." There is no temptation that you are unable to overcome by the power of the grace of God. Anyone who says they can't help being offended is deceiving themselves. The truth is that God has given His grace, His Word, His power, and His ability to do the impossible. In other words, God has given you the power to do everything that is written in His Word-including resisting hurt and offense.