"He that loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him take offense." (I John 2:10)

The fast and easy answer to getting out of offense or preventing yourself from being offended, is to love the one who presents you the opportunity to be offended. How do you do that? That's the subject today.

#1 - Take one emotional step backwards

In Matthew 19: 16-30, Jesus was approached by a man known through the ages as 'the rich young ruler'. The end of that conversation was an invitation for the man to become a disciple, if he would sell all.

As you know, the man "went away sorrowful for he had great possessions." This was THE perfect opportunity for Jesus to be offended. Offense is described as anything that arouses prejudice or becomes a hindrance. Can you imagine! The Lord Himself invites the man to follow Him, but he walks away because he loved his wealth more than he loved God.

Was Jesus angry? Didn't the young man know who was inviting him? Didn't he know what eternal glory awaited? Yet Jesus did not exhibit any anger, nor frustration, nor appear the slightest bit peeved when the man walked away. He didn't go after him either.

And that's a key point. Jesus realized it was that man's decision, it was his story. Jesus didn't agree with his decision, but that was his decision. Jesus did not let the emotions of what was right and wrong cloud His love. He expressed His love for the man by extending an invitation to do right.

Where we get into trouble is when we try to inject what we think is right, or what we think a person should do, or how they hurt our feelings or are doing things wrong - into their lives whether they want our opinion, advice, plan, or not. Then we get hurt when they make us mad. And we are angry because they won't do what we think is right for them to do.

Jesus wanted the man to follow Him, but He did not force upon him anything more than an invitation. Love extends an invitation to do right, but doesn't take offense when the invitation is refused.

#2 - Be reflective

"Then said Jesus to His disciples: "Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven."

If Jesus had taken offense the passage could read: "I tell you, I am really hurt by him walking away. He would have been perfect. Does he know how hard I'm working to make a place for him? Doesn't he know what I've gone through? Doesn't he know what he owes me? I am the Lord!"

If you are interested in reading more:

http://www.supernaturalhousechurch.org

Fair use for educational and discussion purposes ~

Wow, TN Dove, your timing in posting this was perfect. My best friend just e-mailed me, telling me that she was hurt by something I did and took offense at something that had nothing to do with her. I was blown away by her reaction and am sitting here feeling condemned. This was very helpful to me, thank you for posting it!

If I wasn't so offended I might be able to turn the other cheek. Tee hee hee. Unfortunately for most of us, pride resides within us all, and is triggered by our emotions. I Corinthians instructs us not to be easily offended. Though it demonstrates itself as an emotion, once again it's a matter of choice. Choice is the vehicle we can employ to override negative emotions, and reinforce the positive ones. If we can truly fulfill the love chapter and instruct ourselves to do so, then we reinforce the notion that it's not about us. God esteems selflessness, not selfishness.

Unfortunately, too many people let their emotions own them. As I say, feelings are like bellybuttons, everybody has them. We just cant give them an elevated position in our lives. I think that even Mr. Spock would "feel" the same way.

Love & blessings...Tender Reed

I love this topic. So very much needed for today. Offense hiding around every corner, propped up by twisted, evil hands from hell, set-ups from the pit to cause condemnation.

Too many "Oh, ME!"s in reading the responses to count. But, we are all being led by the Lord, coming into a place where the devil has less and less foothold on us, being perfected in our faith little by little. Armed with the sword of the Spirit, we cut him down...over and over and over.

Eyes on the bright and morning star as His love permeates our souls, our entire beings, reflecting HIM who loves us and causes our hearts to love more perfectly, for His glory and not our own. God is indeed toooo good to describe adequately with words!

I turn the offenses around. I used them as a "love meter". If I feel offended, then I search my own heart, seek to hunt down the root, replace it with Gods truth, forgive the person in sincere love, which isn't hard to come into contact with after I see what caused me to feel offended and realize the person is just an imperfect being like me that Jesus died for.

Love meter!

Lisa, give me the names and the addresses of anyone who says anything negative about you - they will be treading on soft sinking sand in my book!!!! Just kidding!!

Lisa, how can anybody say anything to you without being very afraid of divine retribution?!!!

You are the most kindest and sincere and neatest woman of God that any of us have ever had the pleasure of meeting -- or I guess I should say, of hearing from !!!

If any of my sisters or brothers on Rita Now ever gets criticized or attacked without a very noble cause then those of us who have your backs will jump on our stallions and grab our weapons of His indignation and go off to hunt down those senseless renegades!!!