Offended by Offensive

Good Morning Summer Sizzling Bible Study friends! If you have been on the same 6 week schedule as me (first Sunday in June to the fist Sunday July) you too have reached the final words uttered by David in Psalm 139.

“See if there is ANY offensive way in ME, and lead ME in the way everlasting”  

I do hate that word “offensive”. In fact, I don’t think there is anything NICE about the word offense or any of it’s derivatives. Take a gander:

 

of·fend

• 1.to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure.
• 2.to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.
• 3.to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).
• 4.to hurt or cause pain to.
• 5.(in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.

 

The truth is, as I was studying these little verses over the past week, I ran right smack into me some OFFENSE.

Yep–I lingered in some DISPLEASURE.

I wallowed in some “HIGHLY IRRITATING”.

I stamped my feet upon some REPUGNANT TO THE MORAL SENSE.

I love how in the verses David’s heart transitioned from expressing passionate displeasure with those “OTHER SINNERS” (verses 19-22) to considering how HE might be the OFFENDER and need God’s intervention. I ALWAYS land in that heart territory after bing offended and laying my offense before God. Always. There is no doubt that OFFENSE can do some dirty work in our hearts. It can snuff out your anointing and steal God’s blessings faster than my “G” girl can blow out 9 birthday candles. One thing I have learned is that “being” OFFENDED—often leads to “being” OFFENSIVE.

 

 

of·fen·sive

• 1.causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying.
• 2.unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense: an offensive odor.
• 3.repugnant to the moral sense, good taste, or the like; insulting:
• 4.pertaining to offense or attack: the offensive movements of their troops.
• 5.characterized by attack; aggressive: offensive warfare.

 

My feelings were truly hurt this weekend. I still think rightly so, however, I chose the wrong response to meet my need. I became offensive.

 

Here are 5 steps I try to take to BREAK FREE from the trap of Offense (and an OFFENDER) and allow God to be my defender and my protector!

• 1) Confess to God that I have been offended and have responded by becoming offensive.
• 2) Roll my need upon Him and ask Him to show me where my heart is, how I have contributed to or caused the offense? Just like David–ask God to “search” my heart and see if any offensive way in still in me.
• 3) Seek God’s direction for my next step. How does HE want me to respond to my anger, violation or hurt feelings–i.e.–“lead me in the way I should go”!
• 4) Wait for His answer regarding my next step, if I am to take one, towards restoration or repair. More often than not, I hear God say “let ME handle this”.
• 5) Repent and and Release. Let go of OFFENSE and REFUSE OFFENSIVE. This does NOT mean I am to roll over and play dead. Some offenses require action. God may call us to correct and offense or move away from the offender. David did a LOT of that when it came to Saul’s bad behavior and sinful choices.

 

I hope that you have enjoyed your simple journey through Psalm 139. I will be honoring my promise this week to draw names from those who let me know they were doing the study (over 100 women and their kids!) with me and from all of our past 6 weeks of commenters.

Take this LAST CHANCE to let me know how you have done and I will put your name into the basket for a chance to win some to these BLOOMING TOOLS!

 

FINAL PRAISE REPORT!

As I completed my 6 weeks of study with you this past weekend, I also completed my next Born to Bloom Book. It is based upon 2 John and is called:  Born to Bloom “You Are a Chosen Woman”. 

Leave your comments below and I will draw a few names over the next day or so to send along a blessing!

Blessings friends!