Let us guard our hearts against offense. It is a flaming arrow of the enemy in this season. Our flesh can be offended by those around us even though their intentions are pure. The twisting of words can also cause offense. Stop it quickly and live at peace with all, walk in forgiveness, and build others up with words of encouragement. Love others deeply with the continuing debt to love. Jesus could have been offended by so much when He walked the earth on His journey to the cross to die in our place, but He chose not to operate in offense.
Be unmoved when thoughts and feelings such as, “How dare they,” “They don’t deserve me or my talents,” or if anger, disappointment, or rejection which lead to self-doubt, loneliness, and feeling useless surface as a result of the actions of others. Let us be unmoved by man, and moved only by God. This is not an easy thing to do, but the truth that offense is the weapon of the enemy can set you free to triumph over self and circumstance. Offense is dispelled when we walk in love, for a gentle answer turns away anger, but grievous words stir up strife (Proverbs 15:1).
Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 1earing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”