Romans 12:2 (AMP)
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]
Much has been said about this verse. It has been interpreted in various ways and is certainly applicable in many different areas of our lives. What I would like to focus on is the first half of the verse.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”
How easily do you take offense? Have you ever thought about it? Do you allow yourself to take offense, as if you are entitled to it? Do you pridefully argue that the context of what somebody said was blatantly aimed at you? Do you feel that you have to ‘defend’ yourself when somebody says something and you take offense?
If I said: “Man, I really don’t like the new Ford Pick-up’s – they are ugly!” – and you happen to have a new Ford Pick-up – would you take offense? Would you somehow work it that I intentionally said something to offend you? Would you defend yourself and the reason you bought the vehicle? Would you quote statistical information on why the Ford is better than the Toyota?
You see we do this everyday. We take offense. And as soon as we do our haughty ego’s launch a counter attack and we often end up hurting other people by our actions.
We take offense because we are unsure of ourselves. We take offense because we don’t know who we are in Jesus.
What does the bible say about offense?
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Proverbs 18:19
ESV
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle
Proverbs 19:11
ESV
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
And my favourite…
Proverbs 17:
9 (AMP)
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.
You see we live in a society of ‘I’ and ‘me’. We are very selfish indeed. If we don’t look good we take offense. If we think somebody may have been referring to us in a general conversation, we take offense. If somebody lovingly tells the truth to us regarding something we are involved in, we take offense.
The problem comes in after the offense has been taken. Satan starts hurling insults and thoughts into our minds and we literally ‘fume’ at all the thoughts that we are juggling in our heads. Once this happens, the road goes a few ways. We either feel sorry for ourselves, or we become angry and vow to ‘get back’ at the person or we start gossiping about the person to make ourselves look better or we perform extra hard to show the person that they were wrong or or or…..and satan has got us – hook, line and sinker.
WHY? Because we did not ‘take every thought captive unto obedience to Christ’ (2 Cor 10:5)
God does not want us to have to contend with these thoughts and feelings toward other people. He wants us to bring every thought to Him and ask ‘ABBA – is this from you?’ if not, we cast it away and ‘demolish every argument and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of god (2Cor10:5)
When we are able to apply 2 Corinthians 10:5 in our lives, then we start becoming transformed by the renewal of our minds.
Let’s not criticize and gossip. Let’s not slander and argue. But let us look at every situation and every scenario as God would. As an opportunity to show love.
Ask God today to help you identify where you are taking offense and to give you the power to ‘overlook an offense’
God Bless You As You Seek His Face.
WRITERS NOTE:
With almost 1000 views of this article, I have decided to write a follow up article on this topic. You can access that article here
Thank you.
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