I have a simple question, “Which is worth getting offended about? Someone taking ‘your’ parking spot or poverty? Someone taking ‘your’ seat on Sunday morning or genocide?” Perhaps you see where I’m headed.
I got to thinking today about offenses and what we should really be getting offended about and I’m pretty confident in making the statement that “your” parking spot or seat in the sanctuary shouldn’t even register on the scale when compared to poverty or abuse or other inhuman injustices going on around this world.
Let’s be honest for a moment. What do you get offended about? C’mon, just be real. Say it even if you know it is “your” parking spot or seat in the sanctuary. I heard of someone who got offended because the company phone list was being updated and they were departing from the company and their name was removed a mere two days before departure. Does that offend you as well? Now think about why you get offended. C’mon, be real about this too. As you examine the why are you by any chance finding it is because you aren’t getting your way, or it wounds your pride/ego, or you felt convicted? Does the why of the offense point toward you?
The Pharisees were masters at taking offense. Jesus offended them all the time with the things he had to say. Why would they take offense? Far as I can see it’s because they either didn’t get their way, their pride was wounded, or they knew what Jesus said was truth and became convicted. Far as I can see the why of their offense always pointed toward them.
The root of flesh based offense is pride in self. And when our self pride gets wounded we respond…poorly. We become defensive, withdrawn, pouty, angry, jealous. Doesn’t paint a very pretty picture does it? But it’s the reality of living out of our flesh and allowing that flesh to control us rather than the Spirit. And if we get really honest with ourselves we can admit that we rarely allow the Spirit to direct us. He and God, along with Jesus, are designated one half day a week for any sort of thought or contemplation and then we are back in the “real” world allowing our flesh to guide us. And that’s when we get offended over parking spots, seats, and a myriad of other petty inconveniences.
What does God get offended about? C’mon, you can go there. At some point you have to consider these things. Here, I’ll name a few to get you started. Poverty, Human Trafficking, Abuse, Favoritism. Do any of those offend you? Be honest if they don’t. Be honest if you haven’t given them a minute’s worth of consideration. God already knows where you sit on those issues and the others I didn’t mention. Why does God get offended by these things? If you are examining the why, do you by any chance see that it is because it hurts his creation, it hinders his work, and it is the result of man exerting his sinful nature? Does the why of the offense point toward the Enemy and his work?
Jesus was a master at taking offense in the Spirit. The Pharisees offended him all the time with the things they said and did. Why would he take offense? Far as I can see it’s because he saw them rob the people (poverty), overcharge at the Temple (abuse of power), throw women “under the bus” in favor of the men (favoritism), and so many more acts of offense. Far as I can see the why of Jesus’ offense always pointed toward the efforts of the Enemy.
The root of Spirit based offense is the heart of God. And when the heart of God gets wounded he responds…rightly. He becomes active, merciful, provisional, gracious, compassionate, zealous with justice. That is the reality of living out of a Spirit directed life and allow the Spirit to control rather than the flesh. When we allow the Spirit to control us then we will become offended with the things that offend God, they will become our burden as they are his. Why does this happen? God allows us to be burdened and offended for him so that we can take action on his behalf.
Becoming offended in the Spirit rather than the flesh will gain you a whole new perspective, a whole new outlook, a whole new way of relating with people and situations. Suddenly “your” parking spot or seat in the sanctuary doesn’t really matter. And those are just two minor examples, you know people – you know you! – get worked up about way more than that.
So try answering the question again. “Which is worth getting offended about? Someone taking ‘your’ parking spot or poverty? Someone taking ‘your’ seat on Sunday morning or genocide?” Perhaps you see where I’m headed.
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