It really hurt my feelings. It was like stopping by your best friend’s house only to discover she was having a big party and you hadn’t been invited! I felt so left out and hurt. I felt like crying.
That morning, I had walked into the Women’s Bible Study and there were all my friends having a potluck that no one had told me about! Maybe I was being overly sensitive, and maybe this was an area of vulnerability for me, but I was very offended.
The Bible study teacher recognized that I was upset, and the next time I saw her she gave me an index card with some Scripture references on it. She probably had no idea that it was going to change my life. As I opened my heart to God’s Word, something wonderful happened! The Truth set me free! These are the Scriptures:
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to OVERLOOK AN OFFENSE.” Proverbs 19:11
“He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16
This happened to me over 30 years ago, but the devil has used the same tactics since the beginning of time to battle against God’s people. He has used it on me. He will use it on you.
Read about David in 1 Samuel 17:28-33 below. Notice that David had to overlook the offenses thrown at him before he could kill the giant. Satan tried to stop God’s plan for David, but he couldn’t do it because David overlooked the offense.
“When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.
32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
David refused to be offended.
Over the years, God has continued to reveal to me how powerful it is to walk in love, and that means overlooking offenses.
“(Love) is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. 1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP
The devil will send offenses our way, but when we choose God’s way and walk in love, Satan’s attack will not prevail.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Has anyone ever offended you? Insulted you? Put you down? If so, consider this: Love is strong spiritual warfare!
You may be thinking, “How is this spiritual warfare?”
Consider the evil attack on Jesus when he was crucified. (1 Peter 2:21-23)
21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
It is following Him and walking in his steps that empower us for spiritual battle.
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Check out my page Who Is Jesus?
Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash
realchristianwomen.blog
Real Christian Women 
Cindy, what a powerful message. I am humbled as I read this and also encouraged to walk in love when I am offended. Thank you for sharing this. I am going to remember those verses to be able to bring them to memory when Satan throws an attack of offence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those verses have encouraged me not to be offended for over 30 years! God’s Word is powerful! Blessings, Manu!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent reminder of the importance of not carrying offence!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jo. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a powerful teaching, Cindy! I just read it twice. It’s so good, I copied and pasted this post into an email and sent it to myself, so I can easily read it again. Wow. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Linda, I am so glad this was helpful to you. Thank you for your encouragement. Blessings, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with the comments above. This is very powerful, Cindy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, my friend. Blessings!
LikeLike
Thank you for this. It seems like “offense is in the air” and everyone has it coming at them and from them. The insults are more cruel. I have noticed myself growing more quickly and easily offended. I needed this reminder of the freedom I have from it all, in Christ. 🧡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! The more often we forgive, the easier it becomes. Thanks for commenting. Blessings, ML!
LikeLike
Agreed! Putting our flesh to death in the moment, and allowing God’s love to enter in, is so difficult. But the rewards are immense: 1 Cor 2.9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! Thanks for stopping by. Blessings, Kathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was very powerful and so is walking in love. It will thwart the darts of the enemy. Thanks for sharing this! 💜🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your encouragement, Renee. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome! Thanks! And the same to you. 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have saved this to read again Cindy and also share with my fellowship group. It’s so necessary to remind ourselves of this trap of offence. I’m sure we have all experienced it and the hurt that can fester if not dealt with which in turn leads to bitterness, resentment and anger. Thank you and blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your encouraging words. Blessings, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s true, love disarms the enemy. John Bevere wrote a book about offenses, and the title says it all: “The Bait of Satan.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a good one! Thanks for the tip. Blessings, Annie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a powerful post especially with your opening example of pain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Blessings, Jim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the link. Blessings!
LikeLike
Thank you for the link! Blessings!
LikeLike