Notes of Faith July 28, 2025

Notes of Faith July 28, 2025

Unoffendable

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

Proverbs 12:16, NIV

Sometimes an ordinary statement can make a big impact. One day Brant Hansen heard someone say, “It’s a choice we can make, to just choose not to be offended.” Hansen latter quipped that he found this statement offensive! But with reflection, he concluded, “We should forfeit our right to be offended. That means forfeiting our right to hold onto anger. When we do this, we’ll be making a sacrifice that’s very pleasing to God. It strikes at our very pride. It forces us not only to think about humility, but to actually be humble.”1

When we accept Christ as Savior, we begin the process of sanctification. And part of that process involves learning how to get along with other believers. As followers of Christ, we have strong beliefs, and all of us have differing personalities and perspectives. As you interact with fellow Christians at home, work, or church, choose to forgive them and love them. Overlook insults. The Bible says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). Learn to be unoffendable.

We can love; we can forgive; we can refuse to be offended…because God loved us first.

Brant Hansen

1 Brant Hansen, Unoffendable (Nashville, TN: W Publishing, 2023), 2.

Eph 4:29-32

29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

It is hard not to be offended, or to respond appropriately when you are offended. This is a sacrifice of love. May we learn from Christ and be unoffendable as part of our sacrifice to God in living for Him!

Pastor Dale