Offense is an interesting phenomena. We usually think about it relative to a situation where somebody has hurt or betrayed us or someone in some way. However, there’s a more sneaky type of offense. Let’s say my ministry is to the poor. I give my life for the poor, my time, money, heart, prayer, blood, sweat, tears etc. Others in the church don’t seem to care about the poor like I do. Or others in the group I connect to don’t seem to care.
Slowly and almost unknowingly, I begin to get irritated with them. I begin to judge them, am critical of them because they don’t care for the poor like I do. I take on an offense. It never enters my mind that their heart is directed by God towards something different than mine. Everyone SHOULD care for the poor like I do, if they love Jesus like I do.
Suddenly I develop a judgmental critical spirit towards them. I never stop to think that God has assigned them differently than me. They now “offend” me because they “don’t care about the poor”.
I’ve also seen this emerge in some prophetic or intercessory people. They become offended because the rest of the world doesn’t see what they see, hear what they hear or feel the burden they do. And they think everybody should carry the same burden that they do. All of us are called to pray, to intercede, yet not all are called to the dimension of let’s call it “burden bearing”. It usually always involves travail.
Jesus talked about the poor and those in prison. He talked about how we should be towards them. So we take that scripture and apply it to everybody. Everybody should feel very intensely about this area and take care of those who are poor and or in prison. But they don’t, so we become offended with them and feel they are lacking in their godly responsibility.
I know people who have a certain concept of what the local church should be like or run. Everyone who sees the local expression different from the way they do is wrong. And they make judgments about those other leaders because they don’t see it the same way. They are offended by, judgmental, critical of those other leaders.
Why do I say all this? Because historically, I’ve experienced this personally. I’ve judged others out of my own calling, my own responsibility before God, my heart towards a certain area, and/or people. Unknowingly, I think they should think the way I do and feel the way I do. I failed to understand that God has equipped different believers in different ways. Even though intellectually, I understood it from first Corinthians 12. Those differences affect the way we look at situations, circumstances, and other people.
I’ve learned to celebrate those who are on their faces before God crying out day and night. I’ve learned to celebrate those who are tirelessly working with the poor and downcast in the worst of areas. I’ve learned to celebrate those seemingly unprophetic types who are simply called to help others in practical kinds of ways. I’ve learned to celebrate those who are consumed with evangelism, winning the lost to Christ.
I could go on and on, but I think I’ve made the point.
Be everything you are called to be, but don’t try to make other people like you. You will become offended in the process and judge them for their seemingly unspiritual ways. let’s celebrate the differences God has made in the body for without them, the whole body could not be supplied! I feel like shouting! Let’s celebrate our differences.
Apostle Barbara Yoder
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