We are on the verge of tearing apart at the seams. We stand on the precipice of a very dangerous cultural shift. Falling over this cliff, it will be almost impossible to find our way back. We are a nation under siege, on the eve of self-destruction. It is an urgent time. It calls for an urgent response. —Dr. Michael Brown, stream.org
“They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” —Matthew 24:9,10,12
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:44,45
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out…in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? —Galatians 5:13-15
Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:35). —Romans 12:19
Put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk. —Colossians 3:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? —Micah 6:8
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. —Ecclesiastes 7:9
As for myself, I do not care if I am judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I know of no wrong I have done, but this does not make me right before the Lord. The Lord is the One who judges me. So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness, and will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will praise each one of them. —1 Corinthians 4:3-5
The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him. —Proverbs 18:17
“The heart is deceitful above all things…” —Jeremiah 17:9
Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean to choose to be unoffendable?
2. How would you react if your spouse or good friend criticized you in front of others? Describe how you might react differently if you consciously chose to be unoffendable.
3. Read James 1:20, and then explain what you think this means: “The thing that you think makes your anger ‘righteous’ is the very thing you’re called to forgive. Grace isn’t for the deserving. Forgiving means surrendering your claim to resentment and letting go of anger.”