5 Ways to Avoid Becoming Offended by Others

by Barbara Latta

We have the power to refuse to become offended.

Clicking the TV remote or booting up the computer is all that’s necessary to be blasted with someone’s rant or latest offense. Our ears and eyes can become bombarded with negativity and the constant stream going into our minds can have a lasting effect if we are not careful to stop the flow. Even when we think we are not affected, a mood change can be the key to tell us we are letting poison control our emotions.

We have the power to flip the switches on electronic devices, but we can’t turn off opinions spouted in our presence whether in the workplace, marketplace or school. Refusing to become offended is a choice we can make, but the power to make that choice requires discipline in the Word of God. I am not referring to opinions that merely differ from ours, but the destructive, vile and blasphemous words spouted in public and over the airways in the last few months.

Here are five ways to handle offensive opinions of others:

1. Realize our worth does not come from someone else’s opinion or actions. Our values

   

   We are accepted in the beloved.

   come from God not the news media, entertainment industry or politics. To the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6 NKJV).
2. Anchor our personality in Jesus and take possession of the inheritance He gave us. We have an inheritance in Christ that is far superior to anything this world can give. In him we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11 NKJV).
3. Realize the words are a reflection of the condition of the heart of a person who probably does not know God.  They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart (Ephesians 4:18 ESV).  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions (2 Timothy 4:3 ESV).
4. Realize allowing offense into our life doesn’t change the situation, but it can change us into an angry and bitter person. Do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you for many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 ESV).
5. Don’t take the bait and get into an argument. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult (Proverbs 12:16 ESV). Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words (Proverbs 23:9).

The best defense for offense is found in Philippians 1:11, being filled with the fruits of

The fruit of the Spirit will stop the atmosphere of anger.

righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Allowing the fruit of the Spirit to bloom when the opportunity for offense comes will stop the progression of the atmosphere of anger to thrive in our sphere of influence. We can’t control other people but we can control our response to them. When we stand strong and avoid being drawn into the negativity, we are growing in maturity and spiritual strength.

How do you handle offensive situations?

Offensive situations are opportunities for grown (click to tweet)

5 ways to handle offense (click to tweet)