“Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:”
Ecclesiastes 7:21
When Jesus Christ walked the earth, he displayed AMAZING restraint and perfect maturity.
He interacted with people from every level of society: From the poorest, blind beggars who loved Him, to the religious, priestly zealots who hated Him.
Jesus understood their feelings toward Him. He understood the lovers and the haters…and He knew WHY they felt that way about Him. But His purpose and priorities never changed regardless of whether He was loved or hated.
Many years ago, I had a great Pastor named Larry Baker. One of the greatest bits of wisdom he ever gave me was how to respond to insults from mean people.
“Just let it roll off you like water off a duck’s back. Let God deal with them when He wants to. He’ll take care of it.”
Jesus Christ had a relationship with the Father that surpassed all others. Because of that connection, He didn’t get mired in the religious, political, or personal drama of the day. Any insults rolled off Him like water off a duck’s back.
He simply moved through life, speaking truth, with an understanding that the mob would eventually come for His life. His mere presence was an offense to them. (Matthew 17:22-23)
A lot of words are spoken everyday that we have no choice but to HEAR…but we can choose which words we LISTEN to, and which ones we take to heart.
Draw close to the Lord, read your Bible, and pray often…the Holy Spirit will give you tremendous discernment and understanding about people.
He prepares your mind for the possibility that someone close to you will say something offensive to you, or about you.
But like Jesus, we don’t have to be wounded by a Judas.
Our relationship with the Father should be SOLID, so that when offenders come we can still love them and show grace to them…even if they turn out to be actual enemies. (Matthew 5:44)
If you’ve been scarred, get closer to the Lord in prayer every single day. Watch your relationships change when you LET the Holy Spirit change your attitude about ALL people: friend or foe.
People WILL offend you.
But you don’t have to LIVE offended, wounded, and scarred by them.
We are to be rooted and built on the Words of God, not the words of men.
Keep your armor on…and let the offenses and insults roll off you like water off a duck’s back.
In memory of Pastor Larry Baker.
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