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by Barbara Latta
The world we live in surrounds us with negativity. More and
more offensive opinions are blasted through the airwaves with something someone
didn’t like, and we are all expected to accommodate the latest rant to prevent hurt
feelings.
Arguments grow as more fuel is poured onto fiery conversations,
and if we listen we can be burned. Even when we think we are not affected a
mood change can be a key we are letting coals of anger or depression grow in
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.
Here are five ways to respond to offensive opinions of others:
1. Don’t take the bait and get into an argument. Sometimes we just need to walk away because we cannot change another’s mind. We can pray for people with unbiblical opinions but only the Holy Spirit can illuminate them.
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 ESV)
2. Realize our worth does not come from someone else’s opinion or actions. Our value comes 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).
3. 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).
4. Realize the words are a reflection of the heart of a person who
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).
5. Realize allowing offense into our lives doesn’t change the
situation, but it can change us into angry and bitter people. Faith in God
comes by hearing His word, but the opposite is true when we tune our ears to
evil conversation. We will believe what we listen to the most.
So then
faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
The best defense for offense is found in Philippians 1:11, “being filled
with the fruits of 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 grow in maturity and spiritual strength.
How do you handle offensive situations?
5 Ways to Respond to Offensive Opinions (click to tweet)
I sometimes come home with bit lips and cheeks, but I try and curb my tongue when around others. Family, however, often bears the brunt of my tirades against the vileness and evil that permeates this world. I think that's the biggest reason I've turned off the television. New channels, violent shows, etc. all leave me frustrated and angered. That's not how God wants us to live out our lives. Great post Ms. Barb. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh yes I can feel that pain with the bitten lips and cheeks. Sometimes I feel I need to staple my lips closed. We don't even have cable TV anymore. It is too easy to get angry. God does have a better life for us. Thanks so much for sharing J.D.
DeleteAnother wonderful article Barbara! I also can’t watch , won’t watch all the terrible stuff on TV, and talk radio can also sometimes be combative. I try my best to turn to my Bible and read and listen to God’s Word! Thank you for these posts Barbara! They’re always so timely. Blessings and much love to you!
ReplyDeleteThe TV is so contaminated the commercials are even offensive. It is best to turn to the Bible and fill our minds with what God says instead of letting poison get in our minds. Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteGreat work, Barbara. I especially like numbers 4 and 5. And we can pray for those who disagree with us--and it's not that we are the great authority. We need to pray for ourselves to agree with God--and pray for those who don't. Thanks and God bless!
ReplyDeleteYes, Nancy, you are right. We need to pray for ourselves also because this stuff can get in the minds without our realizing it until we can test by our attitudes and actions. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteSuch a timely article, Barbara, as tensions still rise among those with differing opinions and fuses seem to get shorter and shorter. In my "older" years, I have learned (in most cases) to think before I speak and to consider if what I have to say has any value or is a comment that will add fuel to the flame. As mentioned in previous comments, we have to bite those cheeks or lips to keep the antagonistic words from flowing. Your strategies for responding (or not) to offensive opinions (or people) are right on target. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be getting worse. People start fights over such insignificant things. But Jesus told us it would be this way in the last days. We can know the strategies for right responding but we still need the control of the Holy Spirit to use them don't we? That's when we have to think before we speak as you said. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteWonderful and needed advice for dealing with offensive others. I like the scripture you use with each suggestion. Biblical advice and prayer are always good defenses.
ReplyDeleteWe can't go wrong with biblical advice. There is no greater wisdom for guiding our lives and for good defenses as you said. Thanks for sharing, Candyce. Blessings!
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