Most people, whether they are a Christian or not, are familiar with the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you,” or “treat people the same way you want to be treated.  This is how scripture records this principle, spoken by Jesus:

“…as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31) He said this in context of teaching, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back….” (Luke 6:27-30)

I wonder if over-familiarity with particular scriptures makes us somewhat calloused to their application to our lives? 

I had an “aha!” moment recently; I’m sure it happened when I was driving.  I am not filled with the noblest of attitudes when I am cut off in traffic, or when I am passing someone on the freeway and another driver rapidly approaches my car from behind and tailgates me.  I am very deliberate and somewhat slow in returning to the right lane after I get well beyond the car I was passing.

There are little (sneaky) ways of being passive-aggressive in “getting back” at the people who behave in (what I think are) annoying ways.  People who bug me or offend me in some way or another.  It is so easy to engage in a running commentary on the driving habits and mistakes of others—judging, condemning, even though Jesus commands us, “Judge not, and you will not be judged, condemn not, and you will not be condemned, forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:37, 38)

And it doesn’t even occur to me that I am disobeying Jesus.

I am not a religious leader; my “religion”, my words, my beliefs, my actions do not affect congregations of people.  However, as inconsequential and isolated as I may consider myself, my thoughts and attitudes, my words, and my actions do affect the people I interact with each day.  It is possible to harbor a pharisaical attitude without being a Pharisee.  It is possible to be a hypocrite while feeling justified in my attitudes and subtle behaviors.

“Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.  You fools! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?” (Luke 11:39-40)

It is quite easy to allow life’s annoyances to become offenses—and that rarely ends well!  It didn’t for Cain when God accepted Able’s offering but not Cain’s:

“In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.  And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering He had no regard.  So, Cain was very angry, and his face fell.  The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.’” (Genesis 4:3-7)

With both the political climate and the political commentary igniting flames like a thunderstorm in a dry forest, taking offense and giving offense has become the way of life in our society.  Treating others the way we would like to be treated, with courtesy and respect, is sometimes difficult, yet Jesus doesn’t give us any options for behaving differently. 

I see a lot of problems with the demand for personal “rights”; because if we do not get the deference or treatment we may want or expect, then we are in a prime place for the enemy to come along and chisel out a stronghold or place of offense in our souls.  …and it is possible for offense to grow into bitterness.   

Scripture has this to say about bitterness:

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”  [The apostle gives us “instead of” for these wicked characteristics…] “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

I often go running to Jesus with my thoughts and emotions about something I’ve read or heard (taking “every thought captive to obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5).  I’m grateful that when I confess my sins, particularly the ones lurking in my thoughts, my attitudes, and sometimes in my conversations, that He not only forgives me, but He also cleanses me from all unrighteousness.  My soul is a major construction site—I am so blessed to know that God has the commitment and the tools to get the job done!  With His grace at work in our lives, we are equipped to extend that grace and kindness to others.

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”  Proverbs 17:9

“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook and offense.”  Proverbs 19:11