NOTES:

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls          

James 1:19-21 (NLT)

Offenses will certainly come.

Luke 17:1 (CSB) 

HOW CAN WE STOP BEING OFFENDED?

1. GET COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

2. LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF PEOPLE

For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.    

2 Timothy 3:2-4 (NLT)

3. RAISE YOUR GRATITUDE FOR GOD’S GRACE 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

BOTTOM LINE: We want to take offense into our OWN hands. Faith puts offense in GOD’S hands.

CHALLENGE: Surrender your right to be offended.