In life, people will always offend us. But you don’t have to fall into the trap that’s guaranteed to steal your peace and joy– the trap of taking up an offense. It may seem impossible, but Pastor Jeremy explains how you can be unoffendable!
Notes 📓✏️:
The Trap of Taking Up an Offense
We have created a culture where being offended is considered a badge of honor and ranting is a reflex.
Unoffendable
In an offended world, composure looks like rebellion.
In life people will offend you.
Do we process the offense and let it go?
OR
Do we carry the offense into our future?
“We Take Offense”
“Just because you feel offended doesn’t mean you have to live offended.” – Craig Groeschel
Proverbs 14:29 (NLT): “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.”
Number 20:10-12 (NLT): “Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
Rage robs you of respect.
There is a reputational impact every time we crash out, blow up, or say words that can never be taken back.
Not every impulse deserves an outward action.
Proverbs 29:11 (ESV): “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
Self-control is the pathway to freedom and God’s blessing.
Matthew 26:47-53 (NLT): “And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet Him with a kiss.” So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave Him the kiss.
Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”
Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested Him. But one of the men [Peter] with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?”
When someone up close hurts you, the natural response is to be offended.
Hurt people, hurt people.
1. Jesus acknowledges the offense.
“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
2. Jesus tells Peter to, “Put away your sword.”
Don’t mirror their morals.
3. Jesus understood His real power.
“Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?”
I Peter 2:23 (NLT): “He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- What does it mean to be “unoffendable” in today’s culture, and how can we practice this in our daily interactions?
- What are some truths we can repeat to ourselves when struggling with whether to take offense?
- Proverbs 14:29 says: “People with understanding control their anger. A hot temper shows great foolishness.” What does this verse mean to you?
- What do you think is the difference between processing an offense and carrying it into our future? What is the first step towards processing and leaving it in the past?