In a world full of potential offenses, let God's thoughts guide our response to people and situations that offend us. Doing so sets us free from the emotional damage unresolved offenses can cause in our hearts and even in our bodies. "Forgive to live" is a good motto to follow.

1. Responding to
Offenses
…God’s Way

2. How God Wants Us to Respond to Offense
Prov.
15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word
stirs up anger.
Don’t respond in anger. Talk
to God first. Get a heart of
love for the offender first.
I Peter
3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but
with blessing, because to this you were called so
that you may inherit a blessing.
Walk in the opposite spirit of
the offense.
Luke
6:28
Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who
insult you.
Treat them as Jesus treated
us in our sins.
Rom.
12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not
curse.
We are not allowed to curse
others...only bless.
Matt.
5:44
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you”~~Jesus
These are all commands, not
suggestions, all meant to
protect our hearts.
Matt.
18:15
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him
his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens
to you, you have won your brother over.
Three levels of discipline:
personal, group and church-
wide. Starts with a heart
informed by Gal. 6:1
Gal. 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who
are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch
yourself, or you also may be tempted.
The “Bait of Satan” is
allowing ourselves to stay
offended by the sin of
another. It’s a trap.
Rom.
12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at
peace with everyone
Sometimes full reconciliation
is not possible but we have to
do all we can.
Matt.
5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother or sister has
something against you, leave your gift there in front
of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them;
then come and offer your gift.
Peaceful relationships are so
important to the Lord that he
commands us to take the
initiative to be reconciled
when others are offended by
us. Apparently,that process
is more important to God
than our worship!
Eph. 4:
26-27
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go
down while you are still angry, and do not give the
devil an opportunity.
Waiting to resolve anger can
be dangerous for us.
Eph. 4:
15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to
become in every respect the mature body of Him
who is the head, that is, Christ.
Love demands trust. Trust
demands truth. Both lead to
maturity as Christians.