How to Overlook an Offense- Bible Study Notes

At the Bible study last night, I asked this question, “Has anyone ever been offended before?”  The response was unanimous.  Then I asked, “Is there anyone else, besides me, who will admit that they haven’t handled being offended very well?”  And once again the response was unanimous.  So, the question is, How can we overlook an offense?  Thankfully we can take all of our difficult questions to God and He always has an answer for us.  We might not like His answer, but He always has one. 

1.) Patience

Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)  A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

• The first thing we need is patience.   According to this verse, we attain patience from wisdom. If we rely on our own wisdom at the time we are offended the last thing we will find is patience.  When we feel offended, we get hurt and angry, patience is not our natural response.  It’s only God’s wisdom that is able to give us patience after someone has hurt us. 
• Godly wisdom helps us to have tolerance for the person who has offended us and gives us patience to find God’s plan to restore the situation.  God always has a plan of restoration.  Sometimes we just need the patience to believe it will happen.  The first thing we have to do when we are offended is to pray for patience that comes from godly wisdom.

2.) Watch What You Say

Isaiah 53:7 (NLT) He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.  And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

• Jesus is an amazing example to us.  He was treated harshly, He was beaten, ultimately crucified and through it all “he never said a word”, “he did not open his mouth“.  Words are very important.  The Bible says that we will be accountable for every word we say.  Unfortunately for me, there have been countless moments filled with words I wish I never said.  Instead of asking for patience and keeping my mouth closed, I have vented out in my own wisdom and said things that I regretted and only made the situation worse. 
• There is a time to speak and there is a time to be silent.  The key is to have the godly wisdom to know the difference.   

3.) Look Beyond the Situation

Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

• Jesus is our source of faith and strength during opposition.  This verse encourages us to “fix our eyes on Jesus“.  If our thoughts are focused on God then they won’t be focused on the person who has offended us. Focusing only on the situation can consume us.  Before we know it, we wake up thinking about it, we spend all day thinking about it and then we can’t go to sleep because we are still thinking about it.  God encourages us to get our eyes off of the situation and on to the hope we have in Christ. 
• This verse asks us to “consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so you will not grow weary or lose heart.”   According to this verse we can actually be encouraged not to give up as we consider what Jesus endured… why?  Jesus was able to endure the cross, “for the joy set before him“.  Although, Jesus endured the cross, he didn’t focus on it.  It did not consume his thoughts.  He was focused on the joy set before him.  God has joy to set before you and me too.  If we choose to, we can look beyond the offense to the future hope and joy set before us.  God is able to work together all things for the good.

4.) Be a Peacemaker

James 3:18 (NLT) And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

• It is impossible to have peace and be angry at the same time.  It will either be one or the other, not both.  This verse tells us that people who are peacemakers will reap a harvest of righteousness (good things) into their life.  When we are at peace in our own life, we can then plant seeds of peace for others too.  Having peace is a choice.  We must put aside the anger and overlook offenses before we can be a peacemaker.   When we are willing to do this, blessings will come into our lives.

Next time someone offends you:  1. Pray for patience   2. Watch what you say   3. Look beyond the situation   4. Be a peacemaker