MIRROR MIRROR 3 The Right to Be Offended
We are not our labels. We are not who others say we are. And we aren’t the broken self-image we see in the mirror.
Laying down who we think we are to become who God says we are.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Romans 12:3 (TPT)
God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.
LAY DOWN
OUR FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY. OUR NEED FOR CONTROL. OUR RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED. OUR LONGING FOR APPROVAL.
Get upset at the most meaningless things.
Offense starts where grace ends
For years, I was easily offended. Meaningless things.
Driving—no “thank you” wave!
Why do we allow small offenses to affect us in a big way?
Egos win, right—Win, enemy. Right, wrong. Looking to be offended. Miserable way to live.
We get offended because our ego’s have a constant desire for us to win and be right..
We are right – someone else has to wrong We win – someone else has to loose
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A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Prov 19:11
Quick to judge. Quick to call a foul. Quick to be offended. Slow to overlook an offense.
Overlook isn’t the same as pretending it didn’t happen. Conscious decision to “let it go.”
Form of forgiveness.
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Hebrew word means to “pass over.”
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Rom 12:3
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Paul had received much grace…
BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S GRACE TO ME…
1. I WILL NOT LABEL OTHERS.
If we are not the labels others have given us (veil) then others are not the labels we have given them.
Dont be the others…
Lied, Cheated, Stole. Categorize a person over one incident.
Hold a label for a lifetime because of a mistake in a moment! He’s a jerk. She’s a gossip. He’s a loser. She’s arrogant.
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:36-37
2. I’LL GIVE OTHERS THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Eph 4:2 NLT
What is the other persons story…
Might be having a bad day. Might be distracted. Misunderstanding.
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Not all about you: Bad mood isn’t about you
Carless driving—about you.
Thick skin and soft heart: Wonder what going through? Wounded: Hurt people hurt people.
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3. I’LL FORGIVE AS I’VE BEEN FORGIVEN.
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Col 3:13 NLT
Forgiveness used to be a process (sacrifice)—Forgive in real time. (Jesus)
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What about the serious hurts. Major offenses. Justified, right. They hurt me. Wronged someone I love. Justice.
14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15
How—Hurt me, Abused me, Someone I love. Adultery is grounds for divorce. Grounds for forgivness.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4:32
Passover
Set prisoner free—Realize the prisoner was you.
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Gain the altitude over the big things
Maintain that altitude imagine how small the minor issues will be
Hurt people hurt people. Forgiven people forgive people.