“The Easily Offended”

Text: “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” –Psalm 119:165 (KJV)

We live in a generation where offense has become a national pastime.  People are quick to react, slow to forgive, and constantly searching for reasons to be hurt.  Social media has amplified outrage; relationships fracture over words, looks and opinions.  Yet Scripture tells us that those who truly love God’s law, HIS Word, and HIS ways, live above offense.

 

  1.  The Root of Being Easily Offended
  • Being easily offended reveals more about our spiritual maturity than about the offense itself.  Pride and insecurity are often at the root.  Proverbs 13:10 says, “Only by pride cometh contention.” When our ego is large and our humility is small, offense finds a doorway into our hearts.
  • Offense is a trap.  The Greek word for offense in the New Testament is skandalon, meaning a baited trap or snare.  The enemy uses offense to separate believers, destroy unity, and paralyze spiritual growth.

 

2.  The Progression of Offense

  • What starts as a hurt feeling can quickly turn into resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness.
    • Hurt becomes anger
    • Anger becomes bitterness
    • Bitterness becomes bondage
  • Jesus warned in Matthew 24:10, “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”  We are witnessing that prophecy unfold in our time.

 

3.  The Cure for a Sensitive Spirit

  • The cure is not thicker skin but a softer heart, one rooted in the Word and love of God.  “Love …is not easily provoked.” (1 Corinthians 13:5)   When love governs your heart, offenses lose their power.
  • You cannot prevent people from saying or doing things that hurt you, but you can choose your response.  Forgiveness is not weakness; it is freedom.  Jesus was constantly criticized, misunderstood, and rejected, yet He prayed, “Father, forgive them.”

 

4.  Living Unoffendable

  • To live unoffendable is to walk in the peace of God.  It is refusing to take the bait of bitterness.  It is keeping your eyes on Jesus rather than people.
    • When you love God’s Word more than your own pride, “nothing shall offend you.”
    • When you understand grace, you extend grace.
    • When you focus on eternity, earthly offenses lose their weight

 

5.  A Heart Check

  • Ask yourself:
    • Am I easily angered or hurt?
    • Do I replay offenses in my mind?
    • Do I speak negatively about those who wronged me?
  • If so, bring it to the cross.  Let the Holy Spirit heal the wounded places that make you quick to take offense.