Offenses

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

OFFENSES

Prov 19:11

11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

NIV

How often we are too quick to take offense by others words or deeds. It would seem according to this phrase regarding the fact it is a wise man who defers his angry, it would then be a fool who does not. This would imply as in our daily contact with others, we will be offended from time to time. But it is to our credit if we overlook such offense. It is the fool who rushes into anger, or the feeling of being offended, perhaps feeling hurt, which certainly seems then it is all about self. But the person who has wisdom is patience with others, not seeing their offensive ways, overlooking their behavior, actions, or even their manner of speech. When we consider the wisest of the wise, he who is wisdom, God, he overlooks all our offenses. He has the greatest patience with us.

2 Peter 3:8-9

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

NIV

If God is patient toward us, giving even the greatest of sinners the opportunity to come to Christ, not wanting any of his creation to perish, then should we not show patience toward each other? But no, we become impatient, we quickly become offended, hurt and want to exact some form of punishment to the offender. We either lash out or give the cold shoulder treatment, shutting them out. Oh, what if God did that to us! It would seem thinking ourselves wise, we become fools way to easily. If patience is from wisdom then impatience is from foolishness. God overlooks our sin, because we are in Christ who took all our sin upon himself. That is all our past, present and future sin forever and ever. Then we should also overlook the offenses of others, past, present and future, unless of course we think we are better than God, or have a better understanding of the offense and how terrible it is that we should exact punishment for it. That sounds ludicrous, in fact we are admonished to be patient with each other.

1 Thess 5:12-15

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

NIV

Be patient with everyone, making sure we do not retaliate, exact out some form of revenge or punishment for the person who offends us or hurts our feelings. When we become impatient, the opposite of being wise, it would seem we are so self-absorbed, that everything is about us, that everything should revolve around our feelings, our wants, our life. Wisdom says we are not alone, we live with others who are also not perfect and they will make mistakes just as we do and so we must overlook theirs as they overlook ours. Than we would be living in peace with all men as far as it depends on us, which is also what we are admonished to do.

Rom 12:17-21

 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."   21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

NIV

All this is wrapped up in wisdom from God. Patience is wise, impatience is foolish. Patience reveals our wisdom and is honorable. Impatience reveals our foolishness and has no honor.