One of the biggest problems in the Christian church today are Christians who are easily offended. The sad truth is that even some Christian leaders are easily angered and offended!
The true mark of a mature Christian is a life that is characterized by the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Many Bible commentators feel that love is the fruit, with the other eight characteristics listed simply as a manifestation of love.
We read in 1 Corinthians 13:5 that love “is not easily provoked,” which means “not easily offended.”
Do you manifest in your life the qualities of this spiritual fruit of love? If you do, you will not be easily offended.
A spirit-filled life is one that is not easily angered or insulted.
The following is a simple list of questions to check yourself to see if you are truly walking in the Spirit.
How do you react or act when:
1. Your name is spelled wrong or mispronounced or not remembered?
2. You are not recognized?
3. You are not called upon to pray, sing, cook, speak, testify or lead?
4. You are not appointed to the church board of elders or deacons or the music or Sunday school committee?
5. You are not chosen as the most creative, most friendly or cutest?
6. You are just plain forgotten, treated wrongly or rudely?
7. You are not given a raise or promotion?
8. No one seems to like you, or you are lonely and no one seems to care, or no one encourages you?
If you react to any of these situations with anger or by being offended or insulted, the Bible says you are not living in the spirit of love.
Let us all deal with this matter in our lives! Let’s put Christ and others first and not think of ourselves and our feelings so much.
The mark of maturity in a Christian life is Christ having first place in our lives instead of ourselves!
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