Choosing to be Offended
Notes
Transcript
Choosing to Be Offended
John 16:1
Why do we insist upon being offended?
Does not taking offense cause us to sin? I would suggest that it does.
It causes us to become angry rather than affectionate, bitter rather than better, condescending rather than comforting, distracted rather than discerning. All of these reside in the world of sin. I would remind you that Jesus equated anger to murder.
If you want to be offended try sharing the Gospel with the lost.
The Bible says, “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.” John 16:1.
There alone is reason enough to read your Bible – just to see and to hear what Jesus has spoken to us.
These things, are given in chapter 15:18-27 – 18“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
What Jesus was saying is that He doesn’t want us to stumble when we realize the world doesn’t like us simply because we follow Him. (Stumble meaning to fall from the faith.)
What I see today is that we are offended over anything that rubs us in the wrong way – and Oh, we have a very sensitive skin – anything can rub us the wrong way. We live in a world that is living on edge; having no peace.
To be offended is to be made to stumble. When we stumble, we find ourselves (not others) falling into sin.
So, who is it that offends us? Or better still, who is it that is so easily offended by us? Maybe I’m just an offensive person.
More often than not it is someone who does not know the love of God. The Bible says, “And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” John 16:3.
The next time the enemy tries to cause you to be offended do not be DISTRACTED from God but, rather DISCERN who the real enemy is. Remember, we don’t battle against flesh and blood… Ephesians 6:12
Do not CONDESCEND to a lower level but, rather rise up and offer COMFORTING words of love. Offer a biblical perspective on the issue at hand.
Do not become the BITTER person but rather the BETTER person. Bitterness is like cancer; it will eat you alive.
Do not let ANGER cause you to lose your AFFECTION for those that do not know or understand the love of God. This is especially true for those claiming to be Christians who might come under attack from the non-believers. “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”
Always choosing to be offended is like driving your car around to every stop sign in town when you know the brakes are squealing – it only leads to self-destruction.