One of the quickest ways to drain our faith is to take up an offense. There are times when fiery darts will penetrate our hearts without warning, but for the most part, we can choose to quickly refuse the temptation to become offended. This meditation is good for regular rehearsal so that when things come up, we are armed and ready for a quick take down of the enemy’s strategies against us. Read the meditation out loud slowly. There is an instrumental worship link down below to play with your meditation and also a link if you desire to have a printed copy.
Proverbs 19:1 – “Good sense makes one slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Holy Spirit, I choose to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Set a guard over my mouth that I might not sin against You. I choose to be S L O W to get angry and resist offense when it comes knocking at my door.
Proverbs 10:12 – “Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.”
I refuse to operate in strife and angry under currents which breeds quarrels and confusion. I seek to offer love rather than taking up an offense.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 “Love suffers long and is kind…it is not rude or self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs.”
Love is patient with other’s shortcomings and does not respond rudely. It is not touchy, fretful or resentful, keeping track of wrongs suffered. I choose to walk in love today.
1 Corinthians 13:7 – “Love bears all things, (regardless of what comes), and believes all things (looking for the best in each one)…”
I choose to look for the best in others. I refuse to give up on people knowing that we all have the propensity to stumble.
1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
As I walk in a deep love for others, I refuse petty offenses and choose to forgive quickly and bless my offender when wounded. As You have loved me, I make the decision to love others.
Matthew 18:21-22 – “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ And Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not just seven times but seventy-seven times.”‘
Only You know a person’s heart Lord, and I refuse to stand as judge and speculate why people do the things they do. I choose to forgive and turn them over to you. They are Your creation, not mine.
Matthew 6:15 – “But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.”
Father, thank You for reminding me that forgiveness of others is a must because I surely need Your forgiveness for my many failures.
Colossians 3:12-14 Message – “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
I have been chosen by You to live a life of love. I put on the Lord Jesus Christ today: His kindness, humility, quiet strength, and discipline. I choose to remain calm, cool, and collected and quick to let go of offenses. As You forgive me, I will forgive others, releasing all ill-feeling. I never leave home without my shield of love.
🔥 Closing Prayer:
Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, I take a bold stand today and refuse the trap of offense! I will not take the bait. I will not carry bitterness. I will not allow someone else’s words or actions to steal my peace or poison my heart. I declare offense has no place in me!
Lord, I thank You that my spirit is governed by Your love, not by my emotions. Your Word says that love is not easily offended—and I choose love over resentment, peace over strife, and wisdom over reaction. I release every person who has hurt me, misunderstood me, ignored me, or wronged me. I let it go—not because they deserve it, but because I am free!
I will not rehearse the hurt. I will not dwell on what they said or didn’t say. I rise above it by the power of Your Spirit. I fix my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. My joy is not fragile. My identity is not in people’s opinions—it is rooted in Your unshakable truth!
Holy Spirit, guard my heart with supernatural grace. Keep my mouth from speaking offense, and my soul from soaking in it. I forgive quickly, freely, and fully. Bitterness has no root in me. I am unoffendable because I walk in the light of the cross, where mercy triumphed over judgment.
Today, I walk in freedom. I walk in love. I walk above offense.
In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
To print this meditation, click here: Refusing Offense Meditation.docx – Google Docs