Taking offence

[B-A-C]

It seems we live in a world where our opinion matters. That's OK up to a point.
But our opinion matters more.... more than other people's opinions.

We are bombarded by this ideology. Facebook... (even Talkjesus to a point) encourages us
to say something everyone "Likes". There have even been studies done that say people can
become addicted to "Likes". There is a chemical produced by the brain called dopamine,
It is produced by pleasure and pleasant stimulation. It is a naturally occurring chemical, but
it has been found that people can become addicted even to this.

Sometimes people "try" to offend us. They specifically say things personally against us.
Other times they just say something in general in no one in particular, but still people are offended.
This reminds me of driving in the city. Some people intentionally cut you off. But some people,
are just bad drivers. They don't necessarily mean to offend you... but we are offended anyway.

I am firmly convinced that "taking offence" to something someone says.... is Satan's greatest weapon
against Christians today. The Bible says the world will be offended by us. But it seems we are perfectly capable
of offending each other. Sometimes intentionally... but sometimes just as a by product of our
"opinions".

But even if someone does attack us, or disagree with us personally.... should we be offended?
Should we fight back? Argue, bicker and continually string the emotions and drama out for as long as
we can?

There's an old saying... sticks and stone may break my bones... but words will never hurt me.
But the truth is... sometimes words do hurt. Even when we don't mean for them to. But all too
often, we do mean for them to hurt... someone.

When I drive in the city, I have seen something called "road rage". People intentionally hit another vehicle,
or break a window out with a baseball bat or something similar to that effect. It seems sometimes here
on TalkJesus, I see something I call "post rage". People can't wait to "get even" or "get back" at someone.

You know, if we simply give no response to those who offend us (intentionally or otherwise) they have no
power over us. Of course the Bible says we should love one another... "i hate your guts, but I love you".
We don't always have to agree 100% with someone in order to love them. But do we have to hate them?
Do we have to beat them and berate them emotionally just because they disagree with us?

They may even be wrong. Imagine that. We may even be wrong... ha, imagine THAT if you can.
But no matter who is right and who is wrong... do we have to be offended?

If Satan can get us at each other throats, he has already won. Maybe we just need to sit back, take a deep
breath, maybe say a quick prayer (or maybe not so quick in some cases) take time to view that person the
way Jesus sees them, and respond in love.

There is a lot of talk about loving one another here on TalkJesus (as there should be) but it seems that
often while we are "loving one another" we are offended by one another in the same breath.

I have even seen passive/agressive responses here on TalkJesus... things similar to... "you're stupid for thinking
that, but God loves you anyway". How's that for showing the love of Christ to one another.

Matt 5:44; "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matt 5:45; so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matt 5:46; "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Rom 12:20; "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."

Maybe sometimes we take that second verse a little to literal, and we simply want to pour burning coals on them.

What controls you? Do emotions control you? Or do you control them? Even in the storm, even when you are offended. Do you have retaliate?

If someone can control your emotions and responses... if someone can make you angry enough to react in anger.... that person has control over you.

 

[B-A-C]

Note to moderators: I really struggled with where to put this. It isn't really a sermon or a devotional.
It doesn't really have enough scripture to to belong in Bible study. So I settled for here. But after thinking about it...
isn't how we live, how we love... how we respond to one another "evidence" of who we are and what we believe?

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

I am firmly convinced that "taking offence" to something someone says.... is Satan's greatest weapon

Mark chapter 4:17
It is listed as satans number one tool.

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

If someone can control your emotions and responses... if someone can make you angry enough to react in anger.... that person has control over

That's why 2Corinthians10:5 is so very vital for every believer

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Blessings

 

[hopefulson]

That's why 2Corinthians10:5 is so very vital for every believer

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Blessings

I Love what you have stated. We are fully responsible for our eyes and how we see and what we perceive. I have known for quite a while now that we are better off being the offender than being offended in our souls for that creates a break certain in the flow of The Spirit where as being the offender requires a certain type of discovery of ourselves before The Spirit stands aside.

 

[Curtis]

A Christian who is walking, and is under the control of God (Love) should never be offended, or resentful about anything a person might say to them.

1Co 13:5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. (AMP)

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

A Christian who is walking, and is under the control of God (Love) should never be offended, or resentful about anything a person might say to them.

Exactly because once you become offended you cut off the flow of God.

 

[hopefulson]

Therefore The Word being true we can use Love, Mercy and Compassion as a sword and a shield with The Lord as our Strength and in His Name and in His Spirit deliver the witness of our Salvation to our offenders and seek The Lords outcome for His Glory.

 

[B-A-C]

It seems to me, we should sometimes be offensive.
Jesus said the world will hate us because we belong to Him. But does the world hate us, perhaps, but it's not because we've offended them enough.

 

[Bendito]

The quickest way to become braindead is to take offense....I like that....I also notice one thing here. Take offense is an action that one chooses....I reach out and grab offense....Why would I do that? In my mind, when I do that, I indulge in pure stupidity. Why else would I hurt myself with offense?

 

[Christ4Ever]

Rom 12:20; "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."

Maybe sometimes we take that second verse a little to literal, and we simply want to pour burning coals on them.

Hello Brother BAC,
As always, truly engaging in thoughtfulness are your threads. Glad for it personally. Too often we have a tendency to place our focus on making the point, with the taking of no prisoners mindset. Not looking to who we are talking with much less who we are representing.

You are so right that many seek the actuality of putting those coals on the perpetrators heads! It's actually the old eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth law. Not realizing that all that does is leave both parties blind & toothless. We should all instead continue reading and see with v21 the actual point is that we should be seeking to overcome the evil done to us by doing good to those who have wronged us. Not always easy, but the results of living this life of a Christian are real joy and release from pain by doing it God's way and not the World's.

Thanks for the thread brother!

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
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