One morning, I walked into the Women’s Bible Study, and they were having a potluck that no one had told me about! Maybe I was being overly sensitive, 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. She probably had no idea that it would 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 (emphasis mine)
“He who covers over an offense promotes love…” Proverbs 17:9a
“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16 (emphasis mine)
This happened to me over 30 years ago. The devil has used the same tactics since the beginning of time. 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.”
“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him.
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
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 didn’t get angry and sulk. Instead, he 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.
Has anyone ever offended you? Insulted you? Put you down? If so, consider this: Love is strong spiritual warfare!
Consider this:
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
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. 1 Peter 2:21-23
Following Jesus and walking in love is spiritual warfare. When we love others, we are defeating Satan and his dirty schemes. This is how we wield the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!
Addendum: Recently, I ran into my former Bible Study teacher at Panera Bread. I went over to her and told her how what she did that day had changed my life. I hope it encouraged her. (She may not even remember it.) Sometimes, God doesn’t reveal the result of our obedience. For JoAnn, it came over three decades later.
In His Love, Cindy
To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6 NASB
All Scriptures from NIV unless otherwise noted
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