Harbor Humility, Not Offense

“In his pride the wicked does not seek him, in all his thoughts there is no room for God” Psalm 10:4, NIV.

Too often, we find our lives in stagnation, unable to get past the invisible rock blocking our path. Could that rock possibly be a heart issue? When unforgiveness or offense harboring takes root in our hearts, it can cause more destruction than any visible attack on our lives ever could. Unforgiveness and offense harboring are inward expressions of pride. By refusing to forgive others, we elevate ourselves to a level higher than God, who forgives us despite our own failings.

Offense harboring creates an atmosphere where love cannot be freely received or shared. It has the same attributes as the tactics our great accuser uses against us. The accuser constantly reminds us of our wrongs and shortcomings in an effort to keep us from truly seeing and receiving the knowledge of God’s love for us and who we are in Christ. When a person offends us, we are reminded of the offense every time we see that person. Seeing the offense and not the person causes us to view others negatively, and our actions respond accordingly. This hinders relationships and God’s Holy Spirit from working in and through us for the good of others.

Will you ever be faced with opportunities to become offended? Absolutely. However, we have a new nature in Christ, and the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we can respond like Jesus and choose to love and forgive rather than become offended. We must choose to “let go and let God” through prayer and humility. The health of our hearts depends on it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, search my heart today and reveal to me any unforgiveness or offense harboring that may be standing in the way of the work you seek to do in and through me. As you reveal anything that may be hindering my walk with you, I ask for your forgiveness, in Jesus’ name. I know that I am under your grace, and it is only by the blood of Jesus Christ, not my works, that I am declared righteous in your sight. Help me to forgive others quickly. Help me to hear your leading in every situation. Keep me humble in all I do and think. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

By Charmaine Martin, DOTK Community Writer