But the king said, “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, Why have you done so?” 2 Samuel 16:10
Taking offense at what someone says is a very common reaction among many people. People do not like when someone else says something negative to them or about them.
In the process of taking offense, it is common to say or do something back to the person. When a person curses or bad-mouths another person, the common reaction is to curse or bad-mouth him right back. Some will resort to physical fighting or injury. Those with money, will take the person to court suing him for defamation of name or character.
While many think that this is just common among children, it is also very common among adults.
As David was traveling along, a man, from Saul’s family line, came out and started throwing rocks towards David and cursing him. Some of David’s men wanted to kill the man for his disrespect towards David. Yet, David turned away from the man and said leave him alone. He said that the man may have been speaking upon the command of God. He would not take offense against the man for his actions or words.
The action that David said, was what Jesus had said years later, to love one’s enemy and not curse them and to turn the cheek when struck.
Some believers are very quick, as the world is, to take offense and strike back when cursed. They want to sue the enemy or fellow believer who did them wrong. This is not showing the love of God to their enemies, but the hateful heart of this world.
If someone is cursing you, God could be using that person to build some character in your life. Teaching you to turn the other cheek or to love the enemy.
How you react will show what type of person you are. You can stoop down to the world’s ways and take offense, striking back, or you can be the bigger person, like Jesus, and love the person, ignoring the remarks or actions.
Taking the time to take offense does not help anyone. It is only wasting time on some small event, that will quickly pass.
Take time today to show love and not take offense at someone’s words or actions towards you.
I pray today that you will know God’s love for you and your enemies; that God will strengthen you to turn the other cheek; that God will strengthen you to make the right choice in dealing with the enemy; and that the world will see God’s love in you.
Tom Arn has ministered in many facets of the church, from children’s pastor, senior pastor, and currently as a Sunday School Teacher. He has General Ministries Degree. He began with short devotional Bible studies on his blog, Insights From Tom in 2014. He travels through each book of the Bible, chapter-by-chapter and section-by-section, writing what God places on his heart at the time.
Tom is happily married for 31 years to his wonderful wife Cammie. Together they share with everyone how God has blessed them with eight children and one precious grandchild. He desires that God may richly bless you, and make you more like Jesus everyday, drawing you closer to Him.
0 Comments