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Easily Offended

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. MATTHEW 24:10 NKJV

A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city. PROVERBS 18:19 NKJV

Offended people build walls

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down every imagination every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 NKJV

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:5 KJV

God’s will or his word is rooted in his nature

Hatred is a serious condition of the heart 

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 JOHN 3:15 ESV

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. MATTHEW 24:11 NKJV

The offended heart is a breeding ground for deception

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. PROVERBS 18:1 NKJV

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. MATTHEW 24:12 NKJV

But he who endures to the end shall be saved. MATTHEW 24:13 NKJV

For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng. PSALM 55: 12-14 NKJV

If you choose offense, you have chosen to not walk in fellowship with God

A person that cannot forgive is a person that has forgotten what they’ve been forgiven of

But if you do not forgive, your father in heaven will not forgive your sins. MARK 11:26 ISV

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. ACTS 24:16 KJV

Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. PSALM 119:165 KJV

Build yourself up to where you cannot be offended

But I say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” MATTHEW 5:44 ESV

Pray truth 

But I tell you to… pray for anyone who mistreats you. MATTHEW 5:44 CEV

The love of God covers the multitude of sins

 It is impossible that no offenses should come. LUKE 17:1 NKJV

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 TIMOTHY 2: 24-26 NKJV

We are reconciled back to God when we repent.

If you want the blessing of God, you do not have the right to be offended.

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be free of distractions. Begin by inviting God into this time, taking a few slow, deep breaths to quiet your heart. Ask God to reveal to you any areas in your life where you are harboring bitterness or offense toward others. Repent of these as they come up, asking for God’s forgiveness and his strength to help you become “unoffendable.” Now move to a time of focusing on God’s heart toward you, others, and the world. Ask God for more increased awareness of his heart toward people, and ask him for sustained strength to break down any walls that may find their ways back into your heart. End your time by asking God to fill you with his love, his peace, and his spirit. Consider making this a daily habit as you lean into God for his strength and his love. Thank God for your time together, for allowing you to be real with yourself, and for providing strength and peace during this time of prayer.

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
  2. Read Proverbs 18:19. When have you seen the truth of this passage play out in your own real life? 
  3. Read 1 John 3:15. While you may not necessarily use the word hate, in what ways does your bitterness or anger toward someone seriously affect you and your relationship with them?
  4. Read Mark 11:26. Why do you think that our forgiveness of one another is so important to God that he made it mandatory? 
  5. Read Matthew 5:23-24. Who in your life do you need to reconcile with, and what has been keeping you from reconciling with them? 
  6. Read Matthew 5:44. If you have been bitter or resentful towards someone, what is one thing you can do this week to show love, pray for and/or forgive them?