The world is offended.  Seriously, some days I feel like everyone is offended over any given number of offenses.  Small offenses or bigger ones, it really doesn't matter.  All that seems to matter is everyone's opinions and everyone is right.  Everyone suddenly becomes an expert over any given number of topics and if anyone doesn't agree with them, then "anyone" is wrong.  But I have a confession to make.  I'm easily offended.  I'm not so much offended over differing opinions or views.  That's just life.  Everyone is unique with differing God-given skills and talents.  That's the way God created us.  I'm not offended over the uniqueness that God created in all of us.  I'm easily offended when someone criticizes ME or something I've said or done.  It has been often said that I can't take a joke.  Well, I can as long as the said joke doesn't criticize a person's character.  In my personal case, I'm easily offended when someone brings to my attention that I have acted in error or performed a task that doesn't measure up to my criticizer's standards.  I carry my heart on my sleeve.  I don't like criticism even if it is intended as constructive criticism.  This is a serious problem for me because this character flaw (one of many) causes me to react negatively instead of responding positively.  Sometimes my reactions cause rifts in my relationships with others, especially those closest to me who always endure the "privilege" of hearing my said reactions.

What does the Bible say about being easily offended.

As a result of my very recent reaction to the criticism of something I did, I did something I should have done a long time ago.  I went to God's Word to explore what the Bible says about being easily offended.  I know what God says about being easily offended in general, but I wanted a list of Bible verses to turn to when I become easily offended in the future.  It will happen again and "truth be told," it will happen to you too.  No one really likes to hear someone else bring to our attention a character flaw (we all have them) or criticize something we have said or done.  

I've been working on a prayer strategy like I learned about in the movie, War Room.  I will soon have a war room (part of a closet) in my home.  I also bought an ammo box that will become my battle box.  My prayer requests will be attached to my closet wall much like Clara's closet in War Room.  My battle box will be geared more toward my growth in my relationship with Jesus.  I've decided that these verses about being easily offended will be placed in my battle box.  Whenever I feel offended, I'll go to my battle box.  I'll go to war against Satan and his intention to destroy my relationship with my Lord and with the people around me.  

 Now, let's get to those verses.

What does the Bible say about being easily offended?

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. - Ecclesiastes 7:21-22                               (Wow, this one stepped on my toes.  How often have I been critical of others?  Probably more than I realize.)

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil. - 2 Timothy 2:24

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. - Exodus 14:14

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The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. - Proverbs - 22:16

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words. - Proverbs 23:9 (Let's not be fools and despise the wise words of others.) 

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. - Proverbs 29:11

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. - 1 John 2:16

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. - Hebrews 12:11

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. - 1 Corinthians 8:9

You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. - Job 5:21

A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. - Proverbs 27:3-6

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. - Proverbs 19:11

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. - James 1:19

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. - Proverbs 18:19

Now let's take this one step further.  When we are criticized by others, whether it was meant to be harmful or not, we have to learn to forgive others when they have committed an offense against us.  The said offense might have been words alone or perhaps the hurtful words were attached to a hurtful action.  Either way, forgiveness is a vital part of our spiritual growth.  Forgiveness is sometimes hard for me (another character flaw -  I have many), but the Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness.  Come back soon for a list of Bible verses about the topic of forgiveness.  In the meantime, consider checking out the following resources about forgiveness.

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What does the Bible say about being easily offended?

Loving Others Well (Love Where You Live Series)

Our next installment in the Love Where You Live Series is called Loving Others Well."  This post is part of a series led by my church pastor.  Part of our 2020 focus is our B.L.E.S.S. acrostic.

B - Begin with prayer.
L - Listen to them.
E - Eat.  Have a meal with them.  Jesus was often coming from or going to a meal.
S - Serve them.
S - Share the gospel with them.

Today we are learning how to better use our influence and voice to point others to Jesus.

You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Loving Others Well | January 12, 2019 | Pastor Jeff Crook from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

Influence is powerful.  We need to use it to the glory of God.

Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.  Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. - Colossians 4:1-6

This "Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt" Bible verse wall art print is available here.

Paul is telling us how to use our influence and our voice to reach others for God.  He is telling us how to love.  Some people are not easy to love.  In order to love difficult people, we need a relationship with Jesus first.  Someone once wrote:

To dwell in love with saints above
Oh that will be glory!
But to dwell below with saints we know
Ah!  That's a different story.  (Author Unknown)

Les Parrott III wrote a book titled High Maintenance Relationships.  We are going to cover a few profiles in the book.

Types of Relationships to Consider While Loving Others Well

1.  The Critic

The critic is always complaining and giving unwanted advice.  The critic nags and like to point out the mistakes of others.  

2.  The Martyr

The martyr is the forever victim.  The martyr is always filled with self-pity.  This type of person is always negative, often saying things like, "Nobody likes me." 

3.  The Wet Blanket

The wet blanket is pessimistic and automatically negative about just about everything.

4.  The Super Star

The super star must be the center of attention.  The spotlight must always be on the super star.  This person feels like he or she must outdo everyone else.

5.  The Steamroller

The steamroller feels like it is his or her calling to set you straight.  

6.  The Control Freak

The control freak is a micromanager.

7.  The Backstabber

The backstabber will agree with you in private, but then say just the opposite in the presence of others.

8.  The Green Eyed Monster

The green eyed monster is seething with envy.

9.  The Sponge

The sponge likes to receive but he or she never gives.  

Would anyone identify you as someone on this list?  The truth is that we are all difficult to love.  How do we love difficult people? 

How do we love others well?

1.  Be devoted.

Be devoted, diligent, and strong.  Whatever or Wherever you are devoted to is where your time and energy is spent.  

What are you devoted to today?

*Be devoted to prayer.  Pray with alertness.  We need to communicate with God.  Jesus prayed.  He was a prayer warrior.  Do you have a war room?


If we are going to reach people for Jesus, especially difficult people, we must begin with prayer. You don't need to wait for an ideal situation to pray.  Paul was in prison when he wrote the book of Colossians.  

Pray with thankfulness.

2.  Be wise.

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. - Colossians 4:5

By "outsiders," Paul is referring to people who do not have a relationship with Jesus.  There are people you work with or go to school with who do not have a relationship with Jesus.  We don't want to be a stumbling block for them.  We want to be wise.  Our lifestyle is a message.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. - James 3:17

Find points of agreement with people.  Be holy and different.  To make a difference, we must be different.  Make the most of every opportunity to love others and share Jesus with them.  

Some ideas people have shared are prayer jars, blessing bags, handwritten cards and notes, Christian music CDs, etc.

When God places people in your life, you are on assignment.  Wherever you live and work, you are a missionary.

3.  Be gracious.

Let's look at Colossians 4:6 again.

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. - Colossians 4:6

Be gracious with your words.  Are your words helpful or hurtful when you speak to others and when you post on social media? 

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. - Ephesians 4:29

Are your words healing?  

Salt has healing properties.  Let your words be "seasoned with salt." 

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. - Proverbs 16:24

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 Who needs you to speak words of healing to them right now?

Are your words hopeful?

There are people who think they are too far gone, forever condemned.  They need you to speak words of healing and hope to them.  You have influence.  Use it wisely.  Don't make it about yourself.  Make it about Jesus.

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Loving Others Well

Read all other posts in the Love Where You Live series here.

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We saw War Room last night and it was one of the Kendrick Brothers’ best films yet.  The movie stars Priscilla Shirer, T.C. Stallings, and Karen Abercrombie with appearances from Beth Moore, Michael Jr., Alena Pitts, Jadin Alexis Harris, Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick, and Gary Wheeler.

War Room Movie Review: Prayer is Powerful

War Room is a powerful movie with a powerful message.  Tony and Elizabeth Jordan have great jobs, a nice home, and a lovely young daughter.  They seem to be living a dream life, but their marriage is failing.  Then, Elizabeth meets Miss Clara.  Elizabeth is a real estate agent and Clara is one of her clients.  Elizabeth visits Miss Clara to settle the details about selling Miss Clara’s home.  While there, Miss Clara shows Elizabeth her favorite rooms.  She reveals to Elizabeth her most favorite room, her War Room.  Miss Clara had turned a closet in to a War Room.  Her War Room is where Miss Clara fights spiritual battles for her family in prayer.  In her War Room is a chair, her Bible, and notes taped to her closet War Room wall.

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. ~ Matthew 6:6

Elizabeth occasionally attends church but she admits to Miss Clara that her prayer life is neither hot nor cold, but rather luke-warm.

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ~ Revelation 3:16

Miss Clara shows Elizabeth in a clever demonstration that luke-warm isn’t good enough.  She helps Elizabeth improve her prayer life and Elizabeth resolves to go into her own War Room and fight a raging battle to save her marriage.

War Room is not only a movie about saving a marriage and strengthening the home but also a movie about the power of prayer.  The movie demonstrates the value of an intentional prayer life which is just as powerful in any area of battle.

I was so inspired by the message of War Room that I got up this morning and immediately began working on my own War Room.  I have a few more things to add, but my War Room is ready, my prayer strategy is in place, and this warrior woman is ready for battle. 

I highly recommend War Room and I hope that if you are reading this post, you will make plans to see this movie as soon as you can.  Get your tickets early.  Our theater was sold out and I’m receiving reports that theaters are sold our all over our area.  If War Room is not playing in your area, call your theaters and tell them you want War Room to come to your area.

Watch the Trailer here.

 

Learn more about War Room here.

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War Room:  Supplemental Materials

War Room:  Supplemental Materials