Proverbs 12:16, 17:9 // What Sets Us Apart

Proverbs 12:16
Fools show their annoyance at once,
but the prudent overlook an insult.

Proverbs 17:9
Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

If you have been on this earth for very long, you have probably had the joy of being offended or insulted by someone or something.

Someone at school made up a nickname that was embarrassing.

Your parent or sibling said something that hurt your feelings.

Someone used your Facebook post as an opportunity to let out their own pent up aggression.

You drove too slow or too fast for someone’s preference and they waved at you with one finger.

Or maybe it was more serious.

A person attacked you because of your skin color or your beliefs.

In a world filled with sinful people, we are going to be offended. A lot.

And when we are offended, we have a choice.

We can take up that offense and let it dictate how we respond, or how we feel.

We can let a person’s words or actions send us into “automatic self-preservation mode” or “automatic attack mode.”

Responding in-kind, with hurtful words or actions.

Or, we can focus on the truth of who we are in Christ and give those hurtful words or actions over to God, letting our identity in Christ act like a Kevlar vest against the offenses being shot at us.

If we rest in who we know we are, and who we know God is – the offenses we are receiving will have no power over us. They aren’t true. They aren’t us.

They might still sting, but they don’t have to control our thoughts and actions, because we are a new creation in Christ, and He now dictates how we respond.

These verses are not saying we just roll over and play dead or act as a doormat for people to step all over – we are called to boldly speak the truth in love.

But they are saying that we can be confident enough to overcome the offense and still show the love of Christ to the offender.

Because of Christ, we can pause long enough to let Him give us a loving response, one that represents Him well, and doesn’t let the situation ruin a relationship or our witness.

There are things that are going to offend us – A LOT of things.

Regardless of whether they are right or wrong, let’s show the world the difference Christ makes in our lives. Giving a loving response back, even when it is not deserved.

That is what will set us apart.

With much love,

Pastor Dave