One of the most challenging things to deal with in our Christian walk is how to handle the experience of being offended. Let's face it, many of the times we get offended are because of very valid reasons! Someone does us wrong, violates our rights, angers us with their actions; the list is endless. All of us can find valid reasons as to why we are offended in most situations. The problem is that even though we may have valid reasons, they still may not be right or godly reasons. Let's look at some examples in Scripture and we can see why I'm talking about this subject.

In 2 Samuel 13 through chapter 18 we find the story of two men, Absalom and Ahithophel, who rebelled against King David and attempted to overthrow him as King of Israel. Absalom was David's son and Ahithophel was David's close friend and counselor. In Psalm 55:13-14 David says that Ahithophel was his covenant friend, his guide, and one who shared times of worship in the house of God together with David. Absalom was a beloved son of David. Both of these men however became severely offended at David for what appeared to be very valid reasons. Absalom's sister Tamar was raped by her brother Amnon and King David did nothing about it! Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba whom David had committed adultery with and then had her husband Uriah murdered! Both of these situations gave what seemed to be valid reasons for Absalom and Ahithophel to be offended and rebel against David. They conspired together to overthrow David as King. Their plans however failed and both of these men wound up dead as a result of their "valid" actions. What they didn't know about David was that he was a man after God's heart and was quick to repent and return back into God's favor. David also accepted responsibility for his actions and made no excuses for his sin! In reality, the actions of both Absalom and Ahithophel became actions that were contrary to God's man and plan and led to their demise. Valid reasons but wrong application. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

We can always find reasons and excuses to be offended. We must, however, guard ourselves against the poison that offense will produce in our lives. It's goal is to eventually takes us out of God's plan for our lives. Much more can be said on this as I've only scratched the surface on this topic. Remember, God's ways are always the right ways even when we seem to be justified in our actions.

Back to Archives...